Why 20 In the KY Derby?

[PalaceOfFortLarned]

This is a pretty good read.

https://paulickreport.com/news/tripl...erby-starters/

[SBD400]

20 too many, should be 14. With so many horses legitimate contenders need a certain amount of luck.

[LemonSoupKid]

Originally Posted by SBD400

20 too many, should be 14. With so many horses legitimate contenders need a certain amount of luck.

I've always said 14, like in the good old days. That's plenty, I agree.

[Redboard]

It wasn't so bad before they had these Also Eligibles. Field usually got down to 18 or 17.

[PalaceOfFortLarned]

Originally Posted by SBD400

20 too many, should be 14. With so many horses legitimate contenders need a certain amount of luck.

With the field size, I think it also identified some legitimate greats like American Pharaoh out of the 18 hole running basically 4 wide around the entire track and eventually running down Dortmund and Firing Line. 2 big strapping horses with well backed interests.


Animal Kingdom was really good. Point Given was amazing, but maybe not full blown incredible. Not many have failed miserably in the Derby and gone on to great success. With the 20 horse field, it seems to separate the contenders from the pretenders in a couple of minutes.

[dilanesp]

My fear is that one afternoon, a horse near the front breaks down going into the clubhouse turn, and takes 8 horses out or something on national TV.

i think 14 is fine.

[Nitro]

First they're complaining about the fields being too small and now they're too large! What a joke!
Why do we have to go soft on everything?
Are more than 14 entries too much trouble to handicap?
Gee Wiz, maybe it's just too challenging!?
One needn't wonder why the game in the States is declining.

If they can run 18 or more horses in Europe, Middle East and Asia why can't we?
Besides if I'm not mistaken they've previously run 23 entries in the KY Derby.

[PalaceOfFortLarned]

Originally Posted by Nitro

First they're complaining about the fields being too small and now they're too large! What a joke!
Why do we have to go soft on everything?
Are more than 14 entries too much trouble to handicap?
Gee Wiz, maybe it's just too challenging!?
One needn't wonder why the game in the States is declining.

If they can run 18 or more horses in Europe, Middle East and Asia why can't we?
Besides if I'm not mistaken they've previously run 23 entries in the KY Derby.

I love the 20 horse field.

It is unique. It is special. The biggest prize in America should come with some hard earned effort.

Sure, you can beat 5, or 7, or even 11 in preps. We'll give you 19 and a shit post. Show us what you got.

[Tom]

It's still early, we may end up with 14 this year!

[Jumpnthefire]

Thank you I was going to say it was 23 before.I just saw a week or 2 ago the grand national in uk 40 horses I believe lol

[dilanesp]

Originally Posted by Tom

It's still early, we may end up with 14 this year!

We actually almost did a couple of years ago. I wondered if Churchill would still use the special gate or just drive up the Puett.

[ranchwest]

Originally Posted by Jumpnthefire

Thank you I was going to say it was 23 before.I just saw a week or 2 ago the grand national in uk 40 horses I believe lol

And 3 of them died.

[Inner Dirt]

I agree with 14. I learned a long time ago to only make token bets on the Derby as the best horse wins a lower percentage of the time compared to other big races due to field size. The Belmont at 12 furlongs is too far for most 3 year olds to run. The Preakness is just right, that is where I look to make a decent size bet.

[Jumpnthefire]

Originally Posted by ranchwest

And 3 of them died.

I did not know that

[Thomas Roulston]

Who were the three horses that died - and how long after the race?