NYRA increases purses

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

If they want to attract the quality 3yos they'll have to bump the purses on the Whirlaway, Gotham, and Wood to the level of the 3yo preps at Oaklawn. As long as the Whirlaway is ungraded and the Gotham doesn't have enough money to get you in the Derby they'll have a tougher time keeping top 3yos.

People are never going to leave top 3YOs in NY during the winter because of the weather.

The question is whether they can entice more people to stay in NY, because of the purses, with horses in general and thus have bigger fields ( which obviously stimulates betting and thus increases purses more down the road ). Frankly, I have no idea why people race cheaper horses in Florida during the winter.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

People are never going to leave top 3YOs in NY during the winter because of the weather.

The question is whether they can entice more people to stay in NY, because of the purses, with horses in general and thus have bigger fields ( which obviously stimulates betting and thus increases purses more down the road ). Frankly, I have no idea why people race cheaper horses in Florida during the winter.

I think if the Gotham was more relevant in the graded stakes earnings picture you would see better quality horses show up. You might not get the cream of the crop but they should still be able to get some better ones up there by March.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

I think if the Gotham was more relevant in the graded stakes earnings picture you would see better quality horses show up. You might not get the cream of the crop but they should still be able to get some better ones up there by March.

They've had OK horses the last few years.

It's a Graded race so the earnings count.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

They've had OK horses the last few years.

It's a Graded race so the earnings count.

They count but at $200,000 the winner's share of $120,000 isn't enough to guarantee a spot in the Derby starting gate. At $300,000 it has that benefit and even at $250,000 you have a shot of getting in off that one race. Not that I'm in support of horses going to the Derby off just a win in the Gotham but it is added incentive to know you can win the Gotham, get DQ'd or have a trip from hell in the Wood, and still get in the Derby field.