KEE meet, SUN Derby cancelled; KY Derby to September 5th..

[moses]

Originally Posted by ScottJ

Do you really think that NYRA should change their Saratoga meeting, the very best and leading meeting in the country, to accomodate an arbitrary decision which is an on-site money grab by Churchill Downs?

If it increases the chances of having a stacked field for the Travers, why not? This is a business. Saratoga can try to compete with the Derby, which is fine, or they can modify their usual schedule to accommodate the extenuating circumstances created by the coronavirus. I don’t care what they decide to do but it’s not a bad idea to move the Travers.

[jms62]

Originally Posted by ScottJ

Do you really think that NYRA should change their Saratoga meeting, the very best and leading meeting in the country, to accomodate an arbitrary decision which is an on-site money grab by Churchill Downs?

To me that date seems like the only option for them.. Enough time for this to clear out and folks schedule Hotel, Airfare etc. It is Before College Football dominates Saturdays and it gives horses enough time before Breeders Cup.. And they have every right to a money grab... They need to do what is right for their shareholders.. It sucks but you have to play the ball where it lies.

[freddymo]

Interesting development. In a perfect world, CD would have contacted NYRA and worked together to manufacture an ideal scenario. Instead, they acted like the Derby is the ONLY race that matters.

[ScottJ]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Interesting development. In a perfect world, CD would have contacted NYRA and worked together to manufacture an ideal scenario. Instead, they acted like the Derby is the ONLY race that matters.

This is precisely my point. The NYRA Press Release sounds as if the organization was on its heels : "we will get back to you when we have an idea what to do" as opposed to having a coordinated response across the racing juristictions.

I am happy to hear the "work together" mantra, but the first player basically told you that your voice did not matter - and that is the problem. Play nice if you want in working with the Stronach organization.

[moses]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Interesting development. In a perfect world, CD would have contacted NYRA and worked together to manufacture an ideal scenario. Instead, they acted like the Derby is the ONLY race that matters.

Originally Posted by ScottJ

This is precisely my point. The NYRA Press Release sounds as if the organization was on its heels : "we will get back to you when we have an idea what to do" as opposed to having a coordinated response across the racing juristictions.

I am happy to hear the "work together" mantra, but the first player basically told you that your voice did not matter - and that is the problem. Play nice if you want in working with the Stronach organization.

Churchill was trying to figure things out in a short window. You think it’s as simple as Churchill calling NYRA and they can work things out in time for Churchill to give adequate notice to everyone? That seems extremely unlikely. And which other tracks should Churchill call to coordinate with.

I agree, in an ideal world, there would be some coordination or at least communication. But it just seems unrealistic/impractical here.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by moses

Churchill was trying to figure things out in a short window. You think it’s as simple as Churchill calling NYRA and they can work things out in time for Churchill to give adequate notice to everyone? That seems extremely unlikely. And which other tracks should Churchill call to coordinate with.

I agree, in an ideal world, there would be some coordination or at least communication. But it just seems unrealistic/impractical here.

It's the friggin TRAVERS the mid-summer Derby arguably the second most important 3-year-old race in the country. It's not the Indiana Derby. If the second most important race in the country doesn't matter than I give up.

It is what it is...FU everyone we are the Derby you do what you want. Do you think the Masters would schedule over the Ryder Cup?

[moses]

Originally Posted by freddymo

It's the friggin TRAVERS the mid-summer Derby arguably the second most important 3-year-old race in the country. It's not the Indiana Derby. If the second most important race in the country doesn't matter than I give up.

It is what it is...FU everyone we are the Derby you do what you want. Do you think the Masters would schedule over the Ryder Cup?

You’re right. They’re not consulting others because it’s the Derby. Like it or not, reality is that casual fans pay more attention to the Derby than the Travers. It’s stupid to have them right on top of each other. Hopefully the Travers will reschedule.

[ScottJ]

Originally Posted by moses

Churchill was trying to figure things out in a short window. You think it’s as simple as Churchill calling NYRA and they can work things out in time for Churchill to give adequate notice to everyone? That seems extremely unlikely. And which other tracks should Churchill call to coordinate with.

I agree, in an ideal world, there would be some coordination or at least communication. But it just seems unrealistic/impractical here.

Politely, I say hogwash. If Churchill took another two weeks to speak with every major feeder racing organization between now and then, schedules could have been synchronized.

Tracks to call seems simple, those with major Summer Stakes and those with classic lead-ins : NYRA (Travers), Monmouth (Haskell), Delmar (Pacific Classic), Santa Anita, Oaklawn, and Fair Grounds. They own Gulfstream so that should be easy.

[moses]

Originally Posted by ScottJ

Politely, I say hogwash. If Churchill took another two weeks to speak with every major feeder racing organization between now and then, schedules could have been synchronized.

Tracks to call seems simple, those with major Summer Stakes and those with classic lead-ins : NYRA (Travers), Monmouth (Haskell), Delmar (Pacific Classic), Santa Anita, Oaklawn, and Fair Grounds. They own Gulfstream so that should be easy.

So they only need to coordinate with 7-8 tracks? Come on.

[ScottJ]

Originally Posted by moses

So they only need to coordinate with 7-8 tracks? Come on.

Which major 3YO preps that truly have Derby impact did I miss? Expand the list as needed.

Sunland is done. Turf Paradise is done. Sam Houston does not supply a contender. Will Rogers is not in the picture. Has Chicago put forward a serious Derby player?