How would YOU fix it?

[lemoncrush]

Originally Posted by Danzig

the colts are presently allowed to use all graded earnings, which include restricted racing as two year olds-if that's allowed, i don't see how the fillies should get penalized on the same type of thing... altho i personally would have tried a filly vs colts prior to the derby.

Yes, by restricted I meant female restricted races. Obviously all of the 2 year old races are restricted to the same age group.

[whodey17]

I think only one thing should be changed. I like the idea of only counting the graded earnings of those races that are not restricted.

A/E list to me doesn't make a whole bunch of sense. For one, you have advanced day wagering and 2nd it costs alot of money to ship a horse to the Derby just to be an A/E. And how many A/E's would actually run in the Derby if they knew they were getting post 19 or 20.

The connections of these horse have had plenty of time to get the earnings needed to make the field for the Derby.

And I also do not like to have so many horses in the field. I think 16 is fine. So a few scratches doesn't bother me at all.

[TheSpyder]

To me the only issue is cross entering although I like the ideas of how you come up with starters. Nice job Sniper

The main issue should be solved by not allowing cross entering and have them declare a week before whether they want to race in the Derby or Oaks. Problem solved.


Next

Spyder

[Danzig]

but isn't cross entering generally allowed? i understand that the derby is THE DERBY, but why change a bunch of rules? ae's are allowed elsewhere as well, dime supers too for that matter.

[Charismatic1]

Sniper's list has it near perfect. A point system based on Derby/Triple Crown relevance is far better than earnings, which we know can be inflated (e.g. - Delta Jackpot). If earnings continue to be used, then only the top 12 should be guaranteed according to earnings while the other 8 are decided by a panel. This will ensure that some stragglers (horses who mainly gained earnings in sprints or 2yo races) don't get in. Now, using Sniper's list for the sake of argument, it is possible that a late developing horse who wins one of the big races could miss the Derby (Big Brown?). In most cases, things will probably work out, but perhaps having a panel select the last three or four could ensure that funky things don't happen.

Lastly, we should stop trying to make the Derby like every other race. I'm not bothered by a 20 horse field for our most special race. It's just one of the many things that makes the Derby different and special. As long as the horse that crosses the wire first is still called the winner, I'm fine with most things that are different about the Derby.

[ArlJim78]

i'd take the current set-up before I'd have a panel deciding anything.