Limiting the Cattle Charge?

A pet peeve of mine--the enormous field of 20 usually entered in the Kentucky Derby--is being reviewed according to Bob Evans, president and CEO of Churchill Downs, Inc., said and as reported on the Paulick Report. Apparently the death of Eight Belles which occurred after the finish of last year's Derby has inspired the scrutiny.

I have long believed that the cattle charge that results when 20 horses break from the two starting gates at the Derby at full throttle, is an accident waiting to happen and it is ironic that an accident that actually happened after the finish of the race is what is inspiring the review. I actually don't think it was the demise of Eight Belles in isolation that prompted this second look. I think it was the Eight Belles tragedy on top of the Barbaro tragedy, on top of the George Washington tragedy on top of all the other recent televised racing tragedies, that has everyone reconsidering safety. There's no press like bad press and the racing industry got its share of it last year when Eight Belles died in the middle of a national telecast--even though the cameras did not hover.

In any event, in this economic climate no one associated with racing's premiere event, is taking any chances. Trainers may not be thrilled with a reduction in the size of the field since it is always a tight race to qualify for the Derby by being in the top 20 money earners in graded or group stakes races. And Churchill has already "given away" one of those coveted spots to the winner of the Kentucky Derby Challenge, being held on polytrack at Kempton racecourse in England on March 18.

And if the number of horses entered in the race declines, the handle (amount bet) will also decline--not a situation Churchill officials are likely to favor. And as Paulick notes, "A reduction from 20 to 14 starters would also cost Churchill Downs $300,000 in lost entry and starting fees."

If something is going to change with regard to reducing the number of starters, look for an announcement by January 1. Anything after that, is almost too late. And personally I don't think anything will change because guess what is going to take precedence over the safety of the horses?

You're right. Money.