PA Derby shift creates Fall Crown opportunity

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Kasept

Can we maybe market a "Fall Classic Crown" now?

8/1/10: Haskell

8/28/10: Travers

9/25/10: Pennsylvania Derby


Pennsylvania Derby moved to late September
By Joe DeVivo

Philadelphia Park is shifting its signature race, the Pennsylvania Derby, from its usual spot on Labor Day to late September. In a release Friday announcing its major stakes for 2010, the Bensalem, Pa., track explained that it wanted to create a better spot on the calendar for the Grade 2, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby for trainers who are prepping their 3-year-olds for the Breeders' Cup.

By moving the Pennsylvania Derby to Sept. 25, the race will be six weeks out from the Breeders' Cup. Pushing back the Pennsylvania Derby three weeks also avoids a conflict with the Travers Stakes, which is scheduled for Aug. 28 at Saratoga.

Don't think a Grade 2 race(if they submit the testing to keep it) should be the Jewel in any Crown?

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Don't think a Grade 2 race (if they submit the testing to keep it) should be the Jewel in any Crown?

That's immaterial. It's a marketing concept designed to take advantage of a 2 month focus that trades off the Triple Crown's exposure and famiiarity. Given the money they're offering at PHA and this improved positioning on the calendar (though it hurts the JCGC), the race could at some point move to G1. But that isn't what this is about. If you don't like 'Crown' applied to the series, call it the 'Fall Classic Triple' or whatever clever, catchy moniker you want...

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Kasept

That's immaterial. It's a marketing concept designed to take advantage of a 2 month focus that trades off the Triple Crown's exposure and famiiarity. Given the money they're offering at PHA and this improved positioning on the calendar (though it hurts the JCGC), the race could at some point move to G1. But that isn't what this is about. If you don't like 'Crown' applied to the series, call it the 'Fall Classic Triple' or whatever clever, catchy moniker you want...

Not a fan at all.

How about we market the Illnois, Indiana and Iowa Derby's..The "I" TRIPLE..

The Haskell and Travers don't need to be dragged in the mud with the Pa. Derby.. the Travers is the second most important race for a 3 year old colt..Were does the Pa Derby rank 42? lol

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by Kasept

That's immaterial. It's a marketing concept designed to take advantage of a 2 month focus that trades off the Triple Crown's exposure and famiiarity. Given the money they're offering at PHA and this improved positioning on the calendar (though it hurts the JCGC), the race could at some point move to G1. But that isn't what this is about. If you don't like 'Crown' applied to the series, call it the 'Fall Classic Triple' or whatever clever, catchy moniker you want...

If they couldn't come up with this idea when the Super Derby was a real race ($1 million, 10f, Grade 1), then I don't think the Pennsylvania Derby will make it come to fruition, either.

Seeking The Gold, Alysheba, Concern, Commendable, and Menifee all tried, but they could not do what Wise Times did in '86.

[MaTH716]

If they did come up with some sort of fall triple crown like you proposed, would it be possible that the geniuses that run the Breeders Cup would add a 3 year old race to their schedule and market it as some sort of super grand slam (with some sort of sliding bonus scale for any horse winning either the spring/fall grand slam or a combination of the races)? It will further dilute the races (not sure that the BC really cares)and take a major bit out of the classic. But we all know how they seem to love the marketing angles and this could be a major one with huge money attached (especially if you had some sort of super horse that could somehow sweep the series).