Derby replaces graded earnings with point system

[Danzig]

i like the idea. anything that persuades more starts is a good thing. anything that keeps a horse from hitting the board in one lucrative race and coasting in is also beneficial.
they may need to add/subtract some races, but i think it's a step in the right direction, and is something that the bc should consider. scrap 'win and you're in' with A race. win a series and you're in! quit rewarding one big race, start encouraging face-offs in several races.

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i like the idea. anything that persuades more starts is a good thing.

This point system will not persuade more starts...I'm not sure how that conclusion is reached.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

This point system will not persuade more starts...I'm not sure how that conclusion is reached.

well, i guess i'm hoping there will be a minimum point level you'd need to reach?

[NTamm1215]

Where is this 40 pt barrier coming from that's setting off hysteria about the number of horses who would not have made the field in prior years? I see no way that the minimum would be around 40 pts.

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

Where is this 40 pt barrier coming from that's setting off hysteria about the number of horses who would not have made the field in prior years? I see no way that the minimum would be around 40 pts.

Probably around 23 to 25 points.

A horse like El Padrino had 53 points after he won the Risen Star. On the point system, he's a lock to get in.

On the Graded Earning system he was only 23rd on April 15th even after he added $50,000 more in the FLA Derby.

The way Pletcher is going with his layoffs ... it's only a matter of time until he wins the Tampa Derby or Risen Star and skips a major prep to come into the Derby "fresh"

[slotdirt]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

Where is this 40 pt barrier coming from that's setting off hysteria about the number of horses who would not have made the field in prior years? I see no way that the minimum would be around 40 pts.

http://news.cincinnati.com/usatoday/...t%7CSports%7Cs

I believe the article states to feel "safe," one needs 40 points.

[Linny]

Originally Posted by Danzig

well, i guess i'm hoping there will be a minimum point level you'd need to reach?

There is no minimum level, it's just the top 20. Just like using graded earnings, the cutoff if dependant upon what others do. Forty was bandied about as being a probably minimum.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Linny

There is no minimum level, it's just the top 20. Just like using graded earnings, the cutoff if dependant upon what others do. Forty was bandied about as being a probably minimum.

oh, i see.
well, i think they should institute a minimum, and i think the other two spring classics should consider something like this as well.
they also need to try to get a sponsor for a bonus involving the three races, something to encourage more horses to run the series. only one horse 'ran' in all three this year, optimizer.

[slotdirt]

Poor, old Genuine Risk would have killed in the Oaks in 1980 when she didn't qualify for the Derby. That would have been a way better story.