Quote:
Originally Posted by OldDog
Did this even make the Kentucky Derby organizer's radar? |
I suppose they could try and say something like "you can't compare this system with past years, because the connections of the horses in past years would have planned differently and got the points"
But, in many cases, that is simply 100% not true.
War Emblem tried the Fairgrounds route -- He was dusted in the Risen Star. They had abandoned any Derby hopes for him and took him home for the Illi Derby. Even after he destroyed Repent and ran a 112 Beyer in the ILLI Derby -- his connections weren't going to run him in the Derby. Baffert came in and bought him. War Emblem (A Derby, Preakness, and Haskell winner) would never have qualified. He had 0 points and nothing about his prep schedule would have changed.
Lukas rushed Proud Citizen back for a bid at the Derby. PC ran 7th in the SA Derby. He wasn't in a position where he could have done anything different.
Even if you say 'well, connections would have just planned different' -- ah no, third place finisher Perfect Drift is the Kentucky Derby winner in 2002.