LA Derby will lengthen, richen, compete with FL Derby

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

At 8 weeks out they would draw horses from everywhere who would then go split up for the final preps. At 5 weeks out they are just going to split the pool of horses even further off from the other major preps which means weaker pools for everyone. They'll never get G1 status from that. At 8 weeks out they could draw a great field each year with that purse increase.

In 2003, the purse was $750k and the race was run on March 9th, putting eight weeks before the Derby. The field included Funny Cide, Peace Rules, Kafwain, and Badge of Silver.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by DaTruth

In 2003, the purse was $750k and the race was run on March 9th, putting eight weeks before the Derby. The field included Funny Cide, Peace Rules, Kafwain, and Badge of Silver.

Yup, and we'll see who shows up next year with horses split between the Lane's End, Louisiana Derby, Florida Derby, Wood Memorial, Santa Anita Derby, Blue Grass Stakes, and Arkansas Derby. And god forbid the Sunland Derby gets G3 status next year and draws some horses looking for graded earnings. This is a bad move.

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

Yup, and we'll see who shows up next year with horses split between the Lane's End, Louisiana Derby, Florida Derby, Wood Memorial, Santa Anita Derby, Blue Grass Stakes, and Arkansas Derby. And god forbid the Sunland Derby gets G3 status next year and draws some horses looking for graded earnings. This is a bad move.

I doubt many serious Derby prospects will continue to run in the Lane's End or Blue Grass because of Polytrack. Trainers out west may remain stubborn, but look for more of them to head east for a traditional dirt prep instead of the Santa Anita Derby.

The Wood Memorial is the race most likely to be affected because it will be a week after the Louisiana Derby. The Arkansas Derby will be two weeks after the La Derby, so a horse could conceivably make both races.