Whitney Stakes

[Buckandadime]

Since the Derby has been postponed until September, do any of you guys see this year's Whitney as a major prep race?
It's 3yo^ so it's not that far fetched especially being a month out from the Derby..

[JBEX]

going to be interesting to have to choose between the travers and the derby.. probably more likely the jim dandy a week before as it's only for 3yo's.. why knock heads with older horses when you don't have to.. possibly some might even go the haskell route but that's going to be about a 7 week gap I believe.. seems in recent years that more and more trainers are willing to bring horses into big races off longer breaks

[Buckandadime]

Thank you JBEX..

[JBEX]

no problem buckandadime

[str]

It is going to be very interesting to watch the trainers decide where to run .

The key is to peak at the Derby. Running against olders not at peak would be tough.

Some might find seemingly odd spots to use. Not sure how the points system will work. I guess you will know if you are in or out months before the Derby.

Great question .

[Louisvillekid1]

Can’t forget that these barns need the cash flow

some of the targeted spots for these horse might just be a 100k OC

cash a check while keeping the horse fresh

very intriguing indeed

whatever happens the point system needs to be fair to all

Especially for the barns missing out in NY & Lexington where they planned to run

[Buckandadime]

It is going to be very interesting to watch the trainers decide where to run .

The key is to peak at the Derby. Running against olders not at peak would be tough.

Some might find seemingly odd spots to use. Not sure how the points system will work. I guess you will know if you are in or out months before the Derby.

Great question .

Thank you STR..

[Buckandadime]

Is it possible that within the next few weeks they abort the point system for this year only and go with monies earned?

[str]

Is it possible that within the next few weeks they abort the point system for this year only and go with monies earned?

They could. It would look bad to keep out some horse that is shining brightly come Sept. but that might be reason to cry foul if you had a horse you pushed to get the points. No easy answer.

But for those with points, they could use a 75K stake like the Long Branch at Monmouth or other supposedly secondary stakes to work up to the race. They probably need to clarify that soon if they already have not.

[Buckandadime]

They could. It would look bad to keep out some horse that is shining brightly come Sept. but that might be reason to cry foul if you had a horse you pushed to get the points. No easy answer.

But for those with points, they could use a 75K stake like the Long Branch at Monmouth or other supposedly secondary stakes to work up to the race. They probably need to clarify that soon if they already have not.

I suppose there is no "easy" answer..
The entire world is in a state of disarray..
The purists will argue that it's tradition and the selection process should stay the same no matter what and I for one, have no problem with that..
Afterall, if your horse is peaking 4 months after the first Saturday in May instead of, is that a credit to the barn or a knock on the maturity of the animal?
I just hope we get to see the gates fly open..