Worst Derby Field I've Ever Seen

[Zenyatta To Crush]

I've only been following the horses closely for about 15 years, but this seems like the worst derby field I've ever seen assembled. Some of the horses like Lookin At Lucky or Sidney's Candy may eventually turn out to be pretty good, but my excitement level is now greatly diminished now that Eskendereya is scratched. Can anyone remember the last derby field which seems weaker than this field? We've had potentially great horses entered in basically every derby I've watched but it seems like we are lacking that this year.

[LottaKash]

Actually I thought that last year's mix, was rather bland...

best,

[tzipi]

I didn't think 2008's Derby field(Besides Eight Belles) was horrible but I didn't think it was that great either.

[miesque]

I don't think the fields for the last two Derbies were that great, so that would make at least three in a row from my perspective. Maybe I am just a little too negative about the TC Trail, but I don't not see the "quality of field" aspect of the Derby getting any better as the trend towards more and more time between races continues which leads to running in less preps and a dilution of the prep races in general, making it more likely that there is less consistency in the results.

[castaway01]

As horses run fewer and fewer races at 2 and in their Triple Crown campaigns, it stands to reason that there will be fewer that build up impressive credentials. In the "old days" if you ran 15 races before the Derby, it stood to reason you'd win a few stakes or you wouldn't be in the Derby. Now, if you run five races before the Derby, well, not everyone can win those races, so the number of proven multiple Grade 1 stakes-winning horses is smaller.

[rwwupl]

Famous horses do not make the Triple Crown.

The Triple Crown makes famous horses.

[Run Nicholas Run]

2002 was pretty bland of 3 yo's.
War Emblem derby champion

[Grits]

Originally Posted by Zenyatta To Crush

I've only been following the horses closely for about 15 years, but this seems like the worst derby field I've ever seen assembled. Some of the horses like Lookin At Lucky or Sidney's Candy may eventually turn out to be pretty good, but my excitement level is now greatly diminished now that Eskendereya is scratched. Can anyone remember the last derby field which seems weaker than this field? We've had potentially great horses entered in basically every derby I've watched but it seems like we are lacking that this year.

I can't imagine placing such confidence in ONE three year old in a field of twenty, that my interest would greatly be diminished by that one's exit. Does the potential for more lucrative payouts with the exit of Eskendereya have no appeal, ZTC? Granted the media, and others who were "in the know" regarding his problem before it was released this a.m. were planning to bet against him, still, this seems to be a working into a fine betting opportunity. One can love the race for this reason alone.

[horses4courses]

I think we need to watch the Derby and Preakness before stating what type of crop of 3 year olds we have this year.....

So far, I think they have the makings of a pretty decent bunch.

Calling them horrible at this point?
Way too early, imo.

[WinterTriangle]

Originally Posted by rwwupl

Famous horses do not make the Triple Crown.

The Triple Crown makes famous horses.

There are some who clutter up the season, like eightfiveinfifty, who I didn't think would even win yesterday. These owners with derby dreams need to back off, it's not like their horses are going to become great CLASSIC winners all of a sudden for May 1st.

[tucker6]

Originally Posted by rwwupl

Famous horses do not make the Triple Crown.

The Triple Crown makes famous horses.

Dr Fager

Cigar

Forego

etc, etc, etc

Obviously, there is a vast quantity that do not fit your label. I would rather state that famous (and great) horses make the triple crown. You give too much importance to three arbitrary races making the horses, when in fact, they make the triple crown. My opinion of course.

[Sekrah]

Almost all the top trainers these days are gearing their horses to peak in the spring now. I personally think alot of great horses are gonna come out of this crop (Super Saver, Rule, Conveyance, Endorsement) if their owners decide to run them into their 4 and 5 year old campaigns (doubtful anymore).

[horses4courses]

Originally Posted by WinterTriangle

There are some who clutter up the season, like eightfiveinfifty, who I didn't think would even win yesterday. These owners with derby dreams need to back off, it's not like their horses are going to become great CLASSIC winners all of a sudden for May 1st.

There are plenty of people who would have thought like that about
Mine That Bird's connections last year.......

[tzipi]

Originally Posted by WinterTriangle

There are some who clutter up the season, like eightfiveinfifty, who I didn't think would even win yesterday. These owners with derby dreams need to back off, it's not like their horses are going to become great CLASSIC winners all of a sudden for May 1st.

Alot of longshots and owners with Derby dreams have won the Derby. Why should all these "longshot" horses and owners back off now?

[Grits]

Originally Posted by tzipi

Alot of longshots and owners with Derby dreams have won the Derby. Why should all these "longshot" horses and owners back off now?

This is easy to agree with, who am I to bust someone's dreams? I don't think so. As we say . . . . afterall its a horserace and anything can happen.