Delta Jackpot takes on importance this year

[Linny]

Re: Sunriver- Had Todd stood up to the owners of Keyed Entry (who wants no part of 10f) then Sunriver would have been in.

The fact is that yes the rules are arbitrary but they are the same for everyone. Most of the good horsemen have a pretty fair idea when looking at their 2yos, what kind of horse they have. Sure, some jump up and surprise you with a huge leap forward, but if that's the case and in January that longshot maiden breaker has suddenly become a racehorse and you sre smelling roses, you better get going. To get in the gate at Churchill you need to leapfrog alot of horses, or hope some other guys horses fall away.

Trainers who wait or pick spots or just "give him extra time" know that they are risking a berth. Some years, one or two stars dominate and make a LOT of $$$ meaning that alot of horses with relatively small bankrolls are fighting for remaining spots. Other years it seems like all the preps are won by different horses, meaning a big placing (like Jazil's Wood) may not even get you in.