Delta Jackpot takes on importance this year

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by oracle80

For that matter whats to prevent the Sheikhs from boosting the purse in the UAE Derby up to 4 mill so that even the 4th horse would make 200 grand and be eligible? I mean most of the horses in that race belong to them anyway, they get most of their own purse money back as it is.
You'd have the UAE derby 4th place finisher getting a spot over the runnerup in the Wood. And don't laugh, it could happen.
This system needs an overhaul very badly.

I actually suggested almost the exact same thing a couple weeks ago, the Sheikhs upping it to $10 million and structuring it such that they guarantee the top five enough earnings to get in the Derby. If their own horses are winning the money back the majority of the time then it really doesn't matter what they raise the purse to. After that discussion here was the rough draft solution I came up with:

http://www.derbytrail.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6688

[jpops757]

If we as fans can see this why cant the owners and trainers of promising 2yr olds use this race to tip=toe to the derby. Its not like they arent offering a just reward. Its only my opinion but the high profile NY,Socal and Ky owners and trainers cant lower thereselve to run at a lowly So La track.

[Linny]

Derby or no Derby, grade or no grade I can think of a million reasons to run in this race. Alot of people with a decent 2yo in late fall get "Derby Fever" but honestly, what are the odds of getting there? I say, make a bit of money now if you can with a healthy colt. What iis the average winning BSF for this race? Nice 2yo allowance races in NY or KY require upper 80's to lower 90's to win. Will the Jackpot winner break this barrier?

[blackthroatedwind]

I've got no sympathy for any " late bloomer " that doesn't get in due to earnings. I'll take my chances that the truly deserving will make it and only ridiculous trainers that never run their horses will risk missing the big dance with a legit contendor.

The ones that belong will dance the dances and get the earnings.

[jpops757]

I havnt seen the entries or nomomees but I bet Assmusen has something in here. Suprising that Going Balistic didnt run here other the the previous week-end.

[dellinger63]

Suprised Baffert has two entered

1 1 Xchanger Bravo J Shuman Mark 122 0 L 6-1
2 2 Malt Magic Espinoza V Baffert Bob 117 0 L 20-1
3 3 Scatter the Tak Meche D J Blasi Scott 117 0 L 12-1
4 4 Go Poppa Fooze Theriot H J II Norman Cole 119 0 L 9-2
5 5 Officer Rocket (GB) Hebert T J Holthus Robert E 122 0 L 7-2
6 6 Ice Man Cometh Bejarano R Violette Richard A Jr 117 0 L 15-1
7 7 Mistycal Light Hernandez B J Allen Randy 117 0 L 30-1
8 8 Birdbirdistheword Albarado R J McPeek Kenneth G 119 0 L 3-1
9 9 Pirates Deputy Gomez G K Baffert Bob 119 0 L 8-1
10 10 Freesgood Desormeaux K J Currin William L 119 0 L 6-1

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by dellinger63

Suprised Baffert has two entered

1 1 Xchanger Bravo J Shuman Mark 122 0 L 6-1
2 2 Malt Magic Espinoza V Baffert Bob 117 0 L 20-1
3 3 Scatter the Tak Meche D J Blasi Scott 117 0 L 12-1
4 4 Go Poppa Fooze Theriot H J II Norman Cole 119 0 L 9-2
5 5 Officer Rocket (GB) Hebert T J Holthus Robert E 122 0 L 7-2
6 6 Ice Man Cometh Bejarano R Violette Richard A Jr 117 0 L 15-1
7 7 Mistycal Light Hernandez B J Allen Randy 117 0 L 30-1
8 8 Birdbirdistheword Albarado R J McPeek Kenneth G 119 0 L 3-1
9 9 Pirates Deputy Gomez G K Baffert Bob 119 0 L 8-1
10 10 Freesgood Desormeaux K J Currin William L 119 0 L 6-1

officer rocket for sure anyone going to tucson next week?

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I've got no sympathy for any " late bloomer " that doesn't get in due to earnings. I'll take my chances that the truly deserving will make it and only ridiculous trainers that never run their horses will risk missing the big dance with a legit contendor.

The ones that belong will dance the dances and get the earnings.

Amen.

My idea has always been that the 1-2 finishers in the Arkansas, Santa Anita, and Florida Derbies, as well as the 1-2 finishers in the Wood and Blue Grass get automatic berths. That gives u 10 horses. The next four would be based on earnings as a 3yo after u get the automatic qualifiers. If any of those 14 drop out, the next one on the list makes it.

I guess I was right with Officer Rocket. Was in contention and then just folded like a cheap suit. I know he was bumped and then was rushed up. But he lost by like a mile. I just dont think horse is a two turn horse.

Well I was wrong! I guess McPeek & Baffert have two for the Derby next year, by earnings anyway. At least my three came in together. Only instead of 1-2-3 they were 5-6-7.

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by eurobounce

I guess I was right with Officer Rocket. Was in contention and then just folded like a cheap suit. I know he was bumped and then was rushed up. But he lost by like a mile. I just dont think horse is a two turn horse.

He just never looked comfortable. I don't think that he's going to be a two-turn star, but I think he'll turn out to be one of the better of his generation.

He never really settled last night.

[smartyalex]

Originally Posted by eurobounce

I guess I was right with Officer Rocket. Was in contention and then just folded like a cheap suit. I know he was bumped and then was rushed up. But he lost by like a mile. I just dont think horse is a two turn horse.

Touche! As metiioned in another post, he just didn't look comfortable. I wish they could find this horse a "Jock" and stick w/ him as well. Euro, you got me on this one. I think Officer Rocket will still be a horse to watch out for during the Oaklawn meet. He could also use a nice break. He left his stable at the Spires Monday morning. "Vanned" to Oaklawn......left for Delta Downs on the 28th. Now headed back home to Oaklawn. Time will tell.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

Amen.

My idea has always been that the 1-2 finishers in the Arkansas, Santa Anita, and Florida Derbies, as well as the 1-2 finishers in the Wood and Blue Grass get automatic berths. That gives u 10 horses. The next four would be based on earnings as a 3yo after u get the automatic qualifiers. If any of those 14 drop out, the next one on the list makes it.

The only issue is with this is that you are giving recent history more credit then past history. What they do as 2 year olds should be consider, also earlier in the year. Ideally, I would love to have the option to use a race as a tune up like they did with Monarchos and run my eyeballs out in the Derby, the above and you won't be able to do that.

The Kentucky Derby Entry thing seems to be one of those things that is very broken, but a fair and equal way to figure it out hasn't come to the forfront

[SentToStud]

What horse has been left out the past 4-5 years that anyone here feels had a solid shot?