KEE meet, SUN Derby cancelled; KY Derby to September 5th..

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

I highly doubt the Travers will be run a week before the Derby. People will make adjustments to their stakes schedule I’m sure.

That’s true...I’m not sure trainers will want to run two 1 1/4 back to back, but they can always prep for the BC with a 1 1/8 race like the Woodward. Tracks will need to work together - maybe reschedule other races for the May, June period.

[ScottJ]

Originally Posted by Betsy

I think there’s been some kind of misunderstanding - I wanted the race to be run without people, as NY and CA are doing. In no way was I suggesting the race should be run as usual.

This is the key point. New York and California are trying to lead the way based on their generation of on-line handle to keep all of the social distancing aspects in place while giving those involved with the industry a chance to earn a living.

Originally Posted by Betsy

That’s true...I’m not sure trainers will want to run two 1 1/4 back to back, but they can always prep for the BC with a 1 1/8 race like the Woodward. Tracks will need to work together - maybe reschedule other races for the May, June period.

If those at Churchill spoke with the California and New York racing entities to discuss the impact on their scheduling to hold a Labor Day Derby, I am completely on board. However, if Churchill did this unilaterally without business consideration for the other racing jursidictions, exactly why do California and New York need to fall in line behind a year-round second tier circuit? To support the game?

[ScottJ]

NYRA press release : https://www.nyra.com/belmont/news/ny...belmont-stakes

Notice the clear delineation between Churchill's decision and anything to do with NYRA. In other words, this was NOT worked through the horse racing system and appears to be exclusively a Churchill Derby Day cash grab in coordination with NBC coverage. The Kentucky Derby is officially a scratch from my race card interest in 2020.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by ScottJ

NYRA press release : https://www.nyra.com/belmont/news/ny...belmont-stakes

Notice the clear delineation between Churchill's decision and anything to do with NYRA. In other words, this was NOT worked through the horse racing system and appears to be exclusively a Churchill Derby Day cash grab in coordination with NBC coverage. The Kentucky Derby is officially a scratch from my race card interest in 2020.

Do you really think other entities won’t work around this?

[ScottJ]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

Do you really think other entities won’t work around this?

Do you really think that NYRA should change their Saratoga meeting, the very best and leading meeting in the country, to accomodate an arbitrary decision which is an on-site money grab by Churchill Downs?

[moses]

Originally Posted by ScottJ

Do you really think that NYRA should change their Saratoga meeting, the very best and leading meeting in the country, to accomodate an arbitrary decision which is an on-site money grab by Churchill Downs?

If it increases the chances of having a stacked field for the Travers, why not? This is a business. Saratoga can try to compete with the Derby, which is fine, or they can modify their usual schedule to accommodate the extenuating circumstances created by the coronavirus. I don’t care what they decide to do but it’s not a bad idea to move the Travers.

[jms62]

Originally Posted by ScottJ

Do you really think that NYRA should change their Saratoga meeting, the very best and leading meeting in the country, to accomodate an arbitrary decision which is an on-site money grab by Churchill Downs?

To me that date seems like the only option for them.. Enough time for this to clear out and folks schedule Hotel, Airfare etc. It is Before College Football dominates Saturdays and it gives horses enough time before Breeders Cup.. And they have every right to a money grab... They need to do what is right for their shareholders.. It sucks but you have to play the ball where it lies.

[freddymo]

Interesting development. In a perfect world, CD would have contacted NYRA and worked together to manufacture an ideal scenario. Instead, they acted like the Derby is the ONLY race that matters.

[-BT-]

Originally Posted by ScottJ

Do you really think that NYRA should change their Saratoga meeting, the very best and leading meeting in the country, to accomodate an arbitrary decision which is an on-site money grab by Churchill Downs?

While I realize this meet doesn't start for another 4 months, what does them being the "leading meet" have to do with anything? Keeneland just scrapped their entire meet, the NBA/NHL/MLB/NCAA have come to a screeching halt, but NYRA conforming to some type of adjustment is too much to ask?

I've been to the last 20 derby's and have tickets to this year's as well, am I pissed, sure, but there's a bigger picture happening in life right now. People need to be prepared to get out of their comfort zones being we're in uncharted territories not only as race fans but as human beings right now.

-bt-

[ScottJ]

Originally Posted by -BT-

While I realize this meet doesn't start for another 4 months, what does them being the "leading meet" have to do with anything? Keeneland just scrapped their entire meet, the NBA/NHL/MLB/NCAA have come to a screeching halt, but NYRA conforming to some type of adjustment is too much to ask?

I've been to the last 20 derby's and have tickets to this year's as well, am I pissed, sure, but there's a bigger picture happening in life right now. People need to be prepared to get out of their comfort zones being we're in uncharted territories not only as race fans but as human beings right now.

-bt-

All valid points, but per your example, why is the Derby not outright being cancelled? Seriously, it is just one race in the 3YO season when put in perspective. The reason is that the Stronach Group wants that revenue in any way possible. If it wasn't the 3YOs could race in front of an empty grandstand and we all watch and bet from home.

The secondary question is why does the 3YO stakes path need to change to accomodate this particular two minute race? Stronach should have worked on that before announcing this new date. It would have been a better way to bring the industry together. We can talk about the spirit of cooperation, but did Stronach speak with the various leading organizations (NYRA, Del Mar) to see how they could work together?

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by ScottJ

Do you really think that NYRA should change their Saratoga meeting, the very best and leading meeting in the country, to accomodate an arbitrary decision which is an on-site money grab by Churchill Downs?

I think you’re grossly missing the big picture here. It was hardly an arbitrary decision.

I’m not really sure what else to say at this point. Churchill is actually doing the right thing.

[ScottJ]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

I think you’re grossly missing the big picture here. It was hardly an arbitrary decision.

I’m not really sure what else to say at this point. Churchill is actually doing the right thing.

Fill in the blank : Churchill is doing the right thing for ____. NBC? The Stronach Group? Cancel the Derby this year and allow the other Summer 3YO stakes to be the playground showdown. I guess we just disagree.

[moses]

Originally Posted by Betsy

I think there’s been some kind of misunderstanding - I wanted the race to be run without people, as NY and CA are doing. In no way was I suggesting the race should be run as usual.

Originally Posted by ScottJ

This is the key point. New York and California are trying to lead the way based on their generation of on-line handle to keep all of the social distancing aspects in place while giving those involved with the industry a chance to earn a living.

If those at Churchill spoke with the California and New York racing entities to discuss the impact on their scheduling to hold a Labor Day Derby, I am completely on board. However, if Churchill did this unilaterally without business consideration for the other racing jursidictions, exactly why do California and New York need to fall in line behind a year-round second tier circuit? To support the game?

The thing for me is - I’m pretty sure that states and/or the federal government are going to mandate that horse racing stop at some point. So I don’t think planning to race without fans is a viable option for Churchill. I guess we’ll see. I don’t think Santa Anita or NYRA are going to be running in two weeks.