9/25 (LaD) Super Derby

[NTamm1215]

The 3YOs are pitiful this year, no one needs to sugarcoat it. They're beginning to make the 2008 crop look like one of the best ever.

You have a 500k and million dollar race in late September fighting for a headliner and that horse is eligible for a N1X.

The Super Derby and Pennsylvania Derby to some extent, fell victim to the fact that there's basically three "good" 3YOs right now. One can't seem to run a race without spiking a fever afterwards and is going to the Indiana Derby. The other two are trained by horsemen who rarely leave NY or the Northeast, so the chances of them enjoying a weekend in the Shreveport-Bossier, LA metro area were slim and none.

NT

[randallscott35]

Crops are down. Expect more of this in the future.

[parsixfarms]

Rather than tinkering with dates, because there are always too many big-purse dirt races for 3YOs, wouldn't Louisiana Downs be better served by trying to establish a signature race in another division? It's worked for Colonial Downs with their turf races, and a track like Calder with its Summit of Speed. The American Oaks was success for Hollywood when it was a $750K race.

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

Rather than tinkering with dates, because there are always too many big-purse dirt races for 3YOs, wouldn't Louisiana Downs be better served by trying to establish a signature race in another division? It's worked for Colonial Downs with their turf races, and a track like Calder with its Summit of Speed.

Totally agree... it's hard though, because we have a race that still has power... regardless of the field, we've handled $1.3 million or so on the race itself each year I've been there... Going Ballistic or Regal Ransom/Blame, it doesn't matter. Giving-up on that isn't easy, but you're right in that there is possibly opportunity in other divisions.

As for turf/3yo's... it's been said... the only challenge there is the Jamaica at Bel is already a G1... and people don't bet 3yo turfers like they do 3yo dirt horses.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

Totally agree... it's hard though, because we have a race that still has power... regardless of the field, we've handled $1.3 million or so on the race itself each year I've been there... Going Ballistic or Regal Ransom/Blame, it doesn't matter. Giving-up on that isn't easy, but you're right in that there is possibly opportunity in other divisions.

As for turf/3yo's... it's been said... the only challenge there is the Jamaica at Bel is already a G1... and people don't bet 3yo turfers like they do 3yo dirt horses.

Is it the name "Super Derby" that draws the handle, or the fact that LaDowns puts on a very attractive, stakes-filled card at a time in the racing season when there isn't a lot of competition, and the Super Derby is the signature race of the day?

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

Is it the name "Super Derby" that draws the handle, or the fact that LaDowns puts on a very attractive, stakes-filled card at a time in the racing season when there isn't a lot of competition, and the Super Derby is the signature race of the day?

In 2005, the Super Derby was held on JCGC day and it handled $4.3 million. Last year, we were off the turf, so that's a bit of a rough comparison. But in 2006-2008, the average handle was ~$7 million.

So to answer your question, I think it goes in this order:

1. Lack of competition
2. The fact it's the 'Super Derby'
3. Undercard of good betting races/guaranteed P4

Calder is the poster child of carving out a niche event with their Summit of Speed. It takes $... which is always an issue, but yeah, all cards are on the table this off-season.

[tjfla]

What is sad is horses ducking other ones. In the past months we have heard owners talk about how they got superstars and how they can't wait to face to big boys. Instead what happens?

Ken Ramsey says the day before the Travers draw,Pleasant Prince will skip the Travers because "He would not come out of the barn in the rain". He will instead go to the Smarty Jones and onto the PA Derby. Yes the Smarty Jones Stakes which gave the winner a free pass to the PA Derby. Well that winner skipped the race to and why? Cause he has no chance.

IEAH says they aquire Trickmeister for the Travers-he is a super horse and gonna wire the field. Instead he ducks the race and destroys nobodys. 5 mins later he is set to going to the PA Derby,however Monday morning First Dude announces is going to the PA Derby and Trickmeister comes down with a injury.

Moral of the story is RUN the damn horse!!!!!!! All of these owners would rather enter their horse in a race that they would be the 4/5 fave in a 25k allowance race instead of enter their horse in a 1 million dollar race where it would be at 10/1.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

Rather than tinkering with dates, because there are always too many big-purse dirt races for 3YOs, wouldn't Louisiana Downs be better served by trying to establish a signature race in another division? It's worked for Colonial Downs with their turf races, and a track like Calder with its Summit of Speed. The American Oaks was success for Hollywood when it was a $750K race.

That makes too much sense.