Mixed views of trainer and owners over the new qualifying system for the Kentucky Derby
In the annual meeting of the shareholders of the Churchill Downs incorporated, it was decided to revamp the qualifying system for the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby in 2013 and change the existing system of graded stakes earnings to qualify
a horse for the Derby to a point based system.
The same qualifying system applies for the Kentucky Derby’s sister race, the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks.
Trainer Bob Baffert, who saddled Zayat Stables’ Bodemeister to consecutive second place finishes in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, and then stable mate, Paynter, to another close second place finish to, Union Rags in the Belmont Stakes opposed
the decision.
Baffert said that the current graded stakes earnings system was fine, and because of the point system, races like CashCall Futurity and the Grade 3 Delta Jackpot will lose their significance.
He further added that if there was any tweaking to be done in the old system, it was the number of horses participating in the Kentucky Derby.
"I don’t like the way they valued the races – like the CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park, that’s a very important race, and they give the winner of that 10 points. It’s one of those things where I don’t think the old system needed tweaking, but if they’re
going to tweak anything, they need to tweak the draw and the field size.”
However, Ahmed Zayat, who owns Bodemeister, admitted that the old system wasn’t perfect and did have flaws, but he did admit that the new system isn’t perfect either. Ahmed Zayat who also owns Paynter, said that new idea and innovation is always welcome.
The two time Kentucky Derby winning Hall of Fame trainer, Carl Nafzger, spoke his mind regarding the new point system, and bluntly said that it is a way of manipulating horses, who are on the Derby trail.
He said that the racetracks will fit their agenda by using and picking horses where to run, and that it will not benefit horseracing as a sport.
However, Kenneth Ramsey, another owner was satisfied with the decision saying the qualifying change is not a concern.
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