Quote:
Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up
Other than the guy who sends his horse to win the Delta Jackpot with the idea its his ticket to the Derby are people really running in two year old races with the idea "hey, I am going to run in this spot because it will give me graded earnings", or are they running in the race because its money and they think they can win it with a precocious developed two year old?
I would also argue we are already there as far as the new way horses are being brought along for the Triple Crown, look no further than Bafferts Bode and Paynter.
What I am hoping is that you have a decent two year old with say 15 points, that they dont just map a 2 race campaign because they already have the earnings. If you do that and have a couple bad trips you could be screwed. Maybe it forces the more traditional 3 or 4 race campaign to ensure enough points. We need horses running more, not less.
|
Believe me owners/trainers are very aware of the graded earnings in those races. Because CD chose to make those races so worthless I can't help but feel that many will take a pass on any type of real campaign (which nowdays would be 4 races). I think that that the trend of starting horses later will grow especially with GP opening in December. IMO that is not a positive trend. Sure it isn't like the Champagne won't be run but the quality of fields in these types of fall races outside of the BC will surely be negatively impacted over time. Especially when you can follow the Hansen model of running twice against crows and winning the BC and being champion. More or less they are turning the BC juvy into the end all-be all for the 2 yo division (not that it wasnt heading that way anyway) but we will see a mad scamble in Jan-April as untested, under raced horses are tossed into the fire to grab some points. I realize that we have been trending this way but by making the big preps worth 10 times more than every qualifying stake run before Feb you are going to accelerate that trend. And i just cant think that this is a positive.