Kentucky Derby Prep Shifts Away From December Races

Key Quotes

"I don't think many of them turn out I think that most of them stay in light training back off don't work quite as much and definitely don't run I don't think that's a new trend I think that you know that's the way history always played out that I mean I didn't do the research but I'm sure someone did but I don't think that the point system has a lot to do with making trainers have certain trends you just want to try to have your horse ready try to peak in May and if they're running and starting running hard in December and making it all the way to May especially if they had any type of campaign earlier in their two-year-old year it's a tough thing to do to keep one going in the right direction for that long of a period of time."

Trainer Dale Romans explains that trainers generally do not "turn out" horses for extended rest during the winter months. Romans suggests that horses typically remain in light training, with reduced work and fewer races. He believes this approach is not a new trend but rather a historical practice aimed at peaking horses for the Kentucky Derby in May, acknowledging the difficulty of maintaining peak form for such an extended period.

"horsemen are waiting for the big point races the Breeders' Cup Juvenile is worth 30 points to the winner and after that you know you got to wait till mid-February until the 50 point races start and there's seven of those and then there's seven of the 100 point races after that so you know you don't want to beat up your horse in December and not have a horse that is going to be fresh and up and at 'em to run in the races that really really are going to get you into the Kentucky Derby because of the point system so I just don't think that December racing is not for the horses that are going to be pointed to the Triple Crown."

Turf writer Tim Wilken discusses the strategic importance of the Kentucky Derby point system. Wilken notes that horsemen often wait for the major point races, particularly the 50 and 100-point races, to secure a spot in the Derby. He suggests that racing heavily in December might compromise a horse's freshness for these crucial later races, implying that December races are less critical for Triple Crown contenders.

"I just think he's been very impressive in in the short body of work that he has and I just think he's he's going to improve and you know he's in the great barn and I think maybe this guy could be the limit on him that's a quality group going in the Remsen this year maybe this is the year that that streak or next year would be the year that that streak gets snapped for the Remsen and we'll have a Kentucky Derby winner come out of that race."

Tim Wilken expresses his preference for the horse "Cording" over "Paladin" for the Kentucky Derby. Wilken highlights Cording's impressive performance in limited starts and anticipates further improvement. He also notes that Cording is in a top stable, suggesting a high potential ceiling for the horse, and speculates that the Remsen Stakes might produce a Derby winner this year or next.

"I prefer being on the outside going a mile at Churchill because I think you can get stuck down behind that bend a little bit if you're down on the inside and you don't break clean and you'll have to shuffle backward to try to ease over but it's it's right and I guess this I was thinking about this question it um and what the new cameras with the drones overhead must be people are seeing that that they never saw it before but it it starts a little bit into the parking lot comes out a little bit around and straightens up down the back side seems like an unfair advantage for the horses on the outside."

Trainer Dale Romans describes the configuration of the mile chute at Churchill Downs. Romans explains that the chute has a slight bend to the left, which he believes is due to real estate considerations. He prefers racing on the outside at Churchill Downs because he feels horses on the inside can get stuck behind this bend, especially if they do not start cleanly, potentially leading to a disadvantage.

"My biggest form of handicapping is knowing the horses and who's running against who and how competitive and how tough the races were that's what I base most of my stuff on I'm not a big numbers guy I know if you take five it's all the language you speak if you like Ragason you like the Browns you like equibase numbers whatever numbers you like that's fine way to handicap but I'd prefer who's running against who I think class means most more than anything when you go to handicapping a group of horses put together."

Trainer Dale Romans outlines his personal approach to handicapping horse races. Romans states that his primary method involves understanding the horses themselves and their past competition, rather than relying heavily on numerical data. He emphasizes that "class," referring to the caliber of competition a horse has faced, is the most significant factor in his handicapping process.

"The jockeys refused to ride last Sunday in protest of changes in duties of the clerk of scales and the assistant clerk of scales NYRA wanted them to write jockey weights in a program in addition to recording them electronically on a scale is what DRF was reporting Puckman was concerned that the protocols could result in additional mistakes according to the report so there's an update for you on the whole situation too."

Tim Wilken provides an update on the jockey protest at Aqueduct. Wilken explains that the jockeys refused to ride due to changes in the duties of the clerk and assistant clerk of scales. Specifically, NYRA required them to manually record jockey weights in a program in addition to electronic recording, a change that the assistant clerk of scales, Brian Puckman, reportedly believed could lead to errors.

"The greatest Forgo the three-time horse of the year he was one race that sticks out that I've read about often was the 1976 Marlboro Cup when he was 10 lengths off at the top of the stretch and he was carrying 137 pounds and came flying at the end he was a horse that did that often he was he carried 130 pounds 24 times during his career and 13 of them and he was always seemed to be coming from out of it."

Tim Wilken identifies the great horse Forgo as a notable closer. Wilken recounts Forgo's performance in the 1976 Marlboro Cup, where he came from 10 lengths behind at the top of the stretch while carrying 137 pounds. Wilken notes that Forgo frequently overcame significant weight handicaps and often raced from behind.