Rood & Riddle recently created an award for achievements for sport horse off-track-Thoroughbreds!
The Thoroughbred Sport Horse of the Year Award was the idea of Dr. Tom Riddle who has worked predominantly with thoroughbreds throughout his career. He wanted to call attention to the second career potential of this athletic breed and honor their successes in equine sports outside of racing. It is his hope that this award will encourage people to retrain thoroughbreds after their racing careers have ended and decrease the number of unwanted horses in the US. In April 2010, Rood and Riddle partnered with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) to establish this annual award. Courageous Comet was recently awarded the first annual Rood and Riddle Sport Horse of the Year Award for his 2009 season at the TOBA National Awards Dinner September 10, 2010. A perpetual grand prize trophy will be displayed at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. The divisional honors will be presented at the USEF’s annual Silver Stirrup Awards Banquet in January 2011.
Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson will receive the community service award at Race Track Chaplaincy of America's White Horse Award Luncheon Oct. 31, 2013 at The Derby Restaurant in Arcadia, Calif.
The White Horse Award Luncheon is held each year in conjunction with the Breeders' Cup World Championships, this year being held Nov. 1-2 at Santa Anita Park.
Six years ago, Marylou and John started the Backstretch Appreciation Program at Saratoga Race Course. This program was initiated to thank all of the backstretch workers for their hard work with the horses and to provide a platform for education in language development.
Their program has flourished over the years, offering a meal every night of the Saratoga Summer Meet and a beautiful buffet dinner each Sunday. There also are ice cream socials, movie nights, and many other opportunities to improve the quality of life for our horsemen and women on the backstretch
Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/81169/rtca-to-honor-whitney-hendrickson#ixzz2h5SMPJEK
The White Horse Award Luncheon is held each year in conjunction with the Breeders' Cup World Championships, this year being held Nov. 1-2 at Santa Anita Park.
Six years ago, Marylou and John started the Backstretch Appreciation Program at Saratoga Race Course. This program was initiated to thank all of the backstretch workers for their hard work with the horses and to provide a platform for education in language development.
Their program has flourished over the years, offering a meal every night of the Saratoga Summer Meet and a beautiful buffet dinner each Sunday. There also are ice cream socials, movie nights, and many other opportunities to improve the quality of life for our horsemen and women on the backstretch
Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/81169/rtca-to-honor-whitney-hendrickson#ixzz2h5SMPJEK
Tckets for the 2014 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) go on-sale at 8 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 1. The 139th running of the Preakness will take place May 17, 2014 at Pimlico Race Course, the Maryland Jockey Club announced Sept. 27.
Ticket renewals will be mailed out Sept. 27, the MJC said in a release.
Infield seats include Preakness InfieldFest, a multi-entertainment festival featuring national headlining artists on two stages. Unique attractions throughout the day to give fans an unparalleled entertainment experience, including 13 exciting races headlined by the Preakness, the middle jewel of the American Triple Crown.
As in previous years, there will be tiers of pricing, based on when tickets are sold, for infield and MUG Club tickets. General infield tickets will start at $40 through October, go to $50 in November and December, $60 January through April, and $70 in May. MUG Club is $20 additional to each price.
Tickets can be purchased by calling the Preakness ticket office (877) 206-8042 or by logging onto www.ticketfly.com. Seating information and ticket reservation forms for Preakness 139 can be found at www.preakness.com/tickets.
Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/80935/preakness-tickets-on-sale-tuesday#ixzz2gDzGTshG
Ticket renewals will be mailed out Sept. 27, the MJC said in a release.
Infield seats include Preakness InfieldFest, a multi-entertainment festival featuring national headlining artists on two stages. Unique attractions throughout the day to give fans an unparalleled entertainment experience, including 13 exciting races headlined by the Preakness, the middle jewel of the American Triple Crown.
As in previous years, there will be tiers of pricing, based on when tickets are sold, for infield and MUG Club tickets. General infield tickets will start at $40 through October, go to $50 in November and December, $60 January through April, and $70 in May. MUG Club is $20 additional to each price.
Tickets can be purchased by calling the Preakness ticket office (877) 206-8042 or by logging onto www.ticketfly.com. Seating information and ticket reservation forms for Preakness 139 can be found at www.preakness.com/tickets.
Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/80935/preakness-tickets-on-sale-tuesday#ixzz2gDzGTshG
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Raymond Bulgado, an exercise rider employed by trainer Nick Zito, was listed in critical condition in the trauma intensive care unit at Albany Medical Center with undisclosed injuries Monday following a spill during training hours.
Bulgado was working a horse, Ricochet Court, in company with another horse on the Oklahoma turf course when Bulgado's horse broke down badly in his forelegs approaching the quarter pole. Bulgado lay motionless on the turf for several minutes before the ambulance was able to get to him. Ricochet Court, a 3-year-old gelding by Doneraile Court, was euthanized.
Bulgado was taken off the course on a stretcher and initially taken to Saratoga Hospital. He was later airlifted to Albany Medical Center.
A visibly upset Zito would only confirmlate Monday afternoon that Bulgado was at Albany Medical Center, but he would not confirm the types of injuries the rider sustained.
"I love the kid. He's getting the best care possible thanks to John [Hendrickson] and Marylou [Whitney] and the wonderful people at Albany Med," Zito said at his barn. "I have to respect the family's privacy. His mom's in Puerto Rico."
Turf training was suspended for the remainder of Monday's session following the incident.
Bulgado was working a horse, Ricochet Court, in company with another horse on the Oklahoma turf course when Bulgado's horse broke down badly in his forelegs approaching the quarter pole. Bulgado lay motionless on the turf for several minutes before the ambulance was able to get to him. Ricochet Court, a 3-year-old gelding by Doneraile Court, was euthanized.
Bulgado was taken off the course on a stretcher and initially taken to Saratoga Hospital. He was later airlifted to Albany Medical Center.
A visibly upset Zito would only confirmlate Monday afternoon that Bulgado was at Albany Medical Center, but he would not confirm the types of injuries the rider sustained.
"I love the kid. He's getting the best care possible thanks to John [Hendrickson] and Marylou [Whitney] and the wonderful people at Albany Med," Zito said at his barn. "I have to respect the family's privacy. His mom's in Puerto Rico."
Turf training was suspended for the remainder of Monday's session following the incident.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — A little tinkering by Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas paid off in a big way in the $1 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.
Will Take Charge, with a new rider in Luis Saez, caught Moreno in the final stride and won racing's Mid-Summer Derby by a nose to give the 77-year-old Lukas his third Travers win and first since 1995.
Lukas called a jockey audible during the week and chose the 21-year-old Saez over Junior Alvarado to ride Will Take Charge in a race that was supposed to be a three-horse showdown between Kentucky Derby winner Orb, and two of trainer Todd Pletcher's stars, Haskell Invitational winner and favorite Verrazano and the Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice.
"I changed up a few things," Lukas said, flashing a broad smile. "I took a chance on an up and coming rider. You look terrible if it doesn't work, but it's sweet if it does.
"I thought my horse trained well, but these things are so tough. This is a horse who is going to get better. He's getting his act together."
And so is Lukas, who is having a sensational season with his 3-year olds. After going 13 years without a Triple Crown race win, he pulled one off with Oxbow in the Preakness. With Oxbow out with an injury, up stepped Will Take Charge, a colt who ran in all three Triple Crown races but failed to hit the board in any of them.
"They were reminding me it's been a long time between drinks, but when they come like this, they come double," Lukas said. "It feels pretty good."
With Jose Lezcano aboard Orb for the first time as a replacement for the injured Joel Rosario (broken bone in his left foot), the Derby winner made a strong move for the lead in the stretch and finished third behind Moreno in his first race since finishing third in the Belmont.
"You can't cry over spilled milk," said Orb's trainer, Shug McGaughey. "We got him back on the right track, and now we'll point for something else."
Palace Malice, who won the Jim Dandy at the Spa last month, got off to a poor start and fell way behind the leaders and finished fourth under Mike Smith. Verrazano, with John Velazquez riding, stalked the leaders as usual but ended up seventh for just his second loss in eight starts.
Will Take Charge was the 9-1 fourth betting choice of the crowd of 47,597 on a gorgeous, sunny day. The son of Unbridled's Song ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.68, and paid $21.20, $8.60 and $5.20. Moreno, with Jose Ortiz aboard, returned $25.40 and $8.60. Orb paid $4.30 to show.
Romansh was fifth, followed by War Dancer, Verrazano, Golden Soul and Transparent.
As expected Moreno led from the start and still held the lead heading into the stretch. On the inside, though, Orb made his move for the front. But Will Take Charge came barreling down the stretch, pulled even with Moreno on the outside in the final yards and nudged ahead at the wire.
"I want to say thanks to God, Lukas and everyone who's coming here to see these champions," Saez said after his first Travers ride. "Last time, when he finished second (in the Jim Dandy), I saw the replays and I knew how to ride him."
Eric Guillot, who trains Moreno, thought his gelding just might pull off a huge upset.
"Brutal, huh?" he asked. "Last jump. He couldn't have done any better."
Will Take Charge earned $600,000 for owner Willis Horton, and increased his career earnings to $1,265,371 with his fourth win in 12 starts.
A few days before the Travers, Lukas talked about how much he enjoys competing in the top races.
"I love the big ones," he said. "I love to get in that main arena and try to pull it off."
He did it again in the Travers.
On the undercard, 28-1 shot Capo Bastone won the $500,000 King's Bishop, Sweet Lulu took the $500,000 Test Stakes, and Laughing won the $250,000 Ballston Spa.
Will Take Charge, with a new rider in Luis Saez, caught Moreno in the final stride and won racing's Mid-Summer Derby by a nose to give the 77-year-old Lukas his third Travers win and first since 1995.
Lukas called a jockey audible during the week and chose the 21-year-old Saez over Junior Alvarado to ride Will Take Charge in a race that was supposed to be a three-horse showdown between Kentucky Derby winner Orb, and two of trainer Todd Pletcher's stars, Haskell Invitational winner and favorite Verrazano and the Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice.
"I changed up a few things," Lukas said, flashing a broad smile. "I took a chance on an up and coming rider. You look terrible if it doesn't work, but it's sweet if it does.
"I thought my horse trained well, but these things are so tough. This is a horse who is going to get better. He's getting his act together."
And so is Lukas, who is having a sensational season with his 3-year olds. After going 13 years without a Triple Crown race win, he pulled one off with Oxbow in the Preakness. With Oxbow out with an injury, up stepped Will Take Charge, a colt who ran in all three Triple Crown races but failed to hit the board in any of them.
"They were reminding me it's been a long time between drinks, but when they come like this, they come double," Lukas said. "It feels pretty good."
With Jose Lezcano aboard Orb for the first time as a replacement for the injured Joel Rosario (broken bone in his left foot), the Derby winner made a strong move for the lead in the stretch and finished third behind Moreno in his first race since finishing third in the Belmont.
"You can't cry over spilled milk," said Orb's trainer, Shug McGaughey. "We got him back on the right track, and now we'll point for something else."
Palace Malice, who won the Jim Dandy at the Spa last month, got off to a poor start and fell way behind the leaders and finished fourth under Mike Smith. Verrazano, with John Velazquez riding, stalked the leaders as usual but ended up seventh for just his second loss in eight starts.
Will Take Charge was the 9-1 fourth betting choice of the crowd of 47,597 on a gorgeous, sunny day. The son of Unbridled's Song ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.68, and paid $21.20, $8.60 and $5.20. Moreno, with Jose Ortiz aboard, returned $25.40 and $8.60. Orb paid $4.30 to show.
Romansh was fifth, followed by War Dancer, Verrazano, Golden Soul and Transparent.
As expected Moreno led from the start and still held the lead heading into the stretch. On the inside, though, Orb made his move for the front. But Will Take Charge came barreling down the stretch, pulled even with Moreno on the outside in the final yards and nudged ahead at the wire.
"I want to say thanks to God, Lukas and everyone who's coming here to see these champions," Saez said after his first Travers ride. "Last time, when he finished second (in the Jim Dandy), I saw the replays and I knew how to ride him."
Eric Guillot, who trains Moreno, thought his gelding just might pull off a huge upset.
"Brutal, huh?" he asked. "Last jump. He couldn't have done any better."
Will Take Charge earned $600,000 for owner Willis Horton, and increased his career earnings to $1,265,371 with his fourth win in 12 starts.
A few days before the Travers, Lukas talked about how much he enjoys competing in the top races.
"I love the big ones," he said. "I love to get in that main arena and try to pull it off."
He did it again in the Travers.
On the undercard, 28-1 shot Capo Bastone won the $500,000 King's Bishop, Sweet Lulu took the $500,000 Test Stakes, and Laughing won the $250,000 Ballston Spa.
officials announced Aug. 9 that 34 races will be included in the 2013-14 "Road to the Kentucky Derby" series. It will include 16 major events that comprise the "Kentucky Derby Championship Series" over the 10 weeks that precede the $2 million Derby to be run May 3, 2014.
For the second year in a row, a tiered point system in select races will determine who qualifies for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). The total number of races in the series has been reduced by two.
Added were Churchill Downs' Iroquois Stakes (gr. III), a 1 1/16-mile race that will be run this September for 2-year-olds and the Jerome Stakes (gr. II) at Aqueduct Racetrack, run at 1 mile and 70 yards in early January. Removed from the Derby series were the Royal Lodge Stakes from Newmarket and the CashCall Futurity (gr. I) from Betfair Hollywood Park for juveniles, and the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) at Tampa Bay Downs and Churchill Downs' own Derby Trial Stakes (gr. III). The Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. III) from Keeneland has seen its points value lowered from 20 total points to 10.
Notably, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) remains with only 10 points as part of the "Prep Season," and the Illinois Derby (gr. III), which was not part of the series last year, was omitted again.
A year ago, Churchill Downs abandoned the 27-year-old graded stakes earnings criteria and proactively adopted a tiered point system to determine which horses would have preference for the Kentucky Derby. Now a sliding scale of points is awarded to the top four finishers in select races, and at the series' end, the top 20 point earners nominated to the Triple Crown get first crack to start in the Derby.
"Our team continues to believe that contraction is best for the 'Road to the Kentucky Derby' to flourish," said Churchill Downs racetrack president Kevin Flanery. "Many of our internal goals were met at the conclusion of this year's inaugural series. We established a clear and understandable path to the Derby; saw increased fan interest and wagering; created compelling drama; and ensured that our starting gate was filled with top 3-year-olds that were best prepared to go a mile-and-a-quarter on the first Saturday in May. With a 'less-is-more' approach and continued support from stakeholders and our racetrack partners, we hope to continue to move the ball forward in 2013-14."
As was the case in 2013, the tiebreaker when two or more horses have the same number of points will be earnings in non-restricted stakes races.
2013-14 ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY
34 Races (16 Championship Series Races) – Note: Race dates and distances are subject to change by host track.
Kentucky Derby Prep SeasonDateRaceRacetrackDistance1st2nd3rd4thSept. 7IroquoisChurchill Downs1 1/16 Miles10421Sept. 28FrontRunnerSanta Anita1 1/16 Miles10421Oct. 5ChampagneBelmont Park1 Mile10421Oct. 5Breeders’ FuturityKeeneland1 1/16 Miles (S)10421Oct. 6GreyWoodbine1 1/16 Miles (S)10421Nov. 2Breeders’ Cup JuvenileSanta Anita1 1/16 Miles10421Nov. 16Delta Downs JackpotDelta Downs1 1/16 Miles10421Nov. 30RemsenAqueduct1 1/16 Miles10421Nov. 30Kentucky Jockey ClubChurchill Downs1 1/16 Miles10421Jan. 4JeromeAqueduct1 Mile 70 Yards10421Jan. 4ShamSanta Anita1 Mile10421Jan. 18LecomteFair Grounds1 Mile 70 Yards10421Jan. 20Smarty JonesOaklawn Park1 Mile10421Jan. 25Holy BullGulfstream Park1 1/16 Miles10421Feb. 1Robert B. LewisSanta Anita1 1/16 Miles10421Feb. 1WithersAqueduct1 1/16 Miles10421Feb. 15El Camino Real DerbyGolden Gate1 1/8 Miles (S)10421Feb. 17SouthwestOaklawn Park1 1/16 Miles10421Kentucky Derby Championship SeriesDateRaceRacetrackDistance1st2nd3rd4thFeb. 22Fountain of YouthGulfstream Park1 1/16 Miles5020105Feb. 22Risen StarFair Grounds1 1/16 Miles5020105March 1GothamAqueduct1 1/16 Miles5020105March 8Tampa Bay DerbyTampa Bay Downs1 1/16 Miles5020105March 8San FelipeSanta Anita1 1/16 Miles5020105March 15RebelOaklawn Park1 1/16 Miles5020105March 22SpiralTurfway Park1 1/8 Miles (S)5020105March 23Sunland DerbySunland Park1 1/8 Miles5020105March 29Florida DerbyGulfstream Park1 1/8 Miles100402010March 29Louisiana DerbyFair Grounds1 1/8 Miles100402010March 29UAE DerbyMeydan Racecourse1 3/16 Miles (S)100402010April 5Wood MemorialAqueduct1 1/8 Miles100402010April 5Santa Anita DerbySanta Anita1 1/8 Miles100402010April 12Arkansas DerbyOaklawn Park1 1/8 Miles100402010April 12Blue GrassKeeneland1 1/8 Miles (S)100402010April 19LexingtonKeeneland1 1/16 Miles (S)104212013-14 ChangesDateRaceRacetrackDistanceTop 4 PointsChangeSept. 7IroquoisChurchill Downs1 1/16 Miles10-4-2-1AddedSept. 28Royal LodgeNewmarket1 Mile (T)0-0-0-0Removed (10-4-2-1)Dec. 14CashCall FuturityBetfair Hollywood Park1 1/16 Miles (S)0-0-0-0Removed (10-4-2-1)Jan. 4JeromeAqueduct1 Mile 70 Yards10-4-2-1AddedFeb. 1Sam F. DavisTampa Bay Downs1 1/16 Miles0-0-0-0Removed (10-4-2-1)April 19LexingtonKeeneland1 1/16 Miles (S)10-4-2-1Formerly 20-8-4-2April 26Derby TrialChurchill Downs1 Mile0-0-0-0Removed (20-8-4-2)"Prep Season" races award 10 points to the winner, 4 to the runner-up, 2 to third and 1 to fourth. Point values escalate for the "Championship Series," which is comprised of the most meaningful springboard events within the 10-week run up to the Derby. Each race in the first leg of the "Championship Series" between Feb. 22-March 23 is worth 50 points to the winner, 20 to the runner-up, 10 to third and 5 to fourth. The seven lucrative races staged three-to-five weeks ahead of the Derby offer points worth twice as much as the first leg: 100 to first, 40 to second, 20 to third and 10 to fourth.
As a result, the winners of races in the first leg and the top two finishers of second leg races have the upper hand, and horses that earned points during the "Prep Season" could be in the mix with top four placings. Horses on the "bubble" looking to increase their point totals have the option of running in the Lexington, which serves as a "wild card" race.
A similar series remains in place for the "Road to the Kentucky Oaks," the Derby's $1 million companion event for 3-year-old fillies on May 2, 2014. The total number of races in the Oaks (gr. I) series has been reduced from 34 to 29 races (see chart):
2013-14 ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY OAKS
29 Races (14 Championship Series Races) – Note: Race dates and distances are subject to change by host track.
Kentucky Oaks Prep SeasonDateRaceRacetrackDistance1st2nd3rd4thSept. 7PocahontasChurchill Downs1 1/16 Miles10421Sept. 28ChandelierSanta Anita1 1/16 Miles10421Oct. 5FrizetteBelmont Park1 Mile10421Oct. 5MazarineWoodbine1 1/16 Miles (S)10421Nov. 1Breeders’ Cup Juvenile FilliesSanta Anita1 1/16 Miles10421Nov. 16Delta Downs PrincessDelta Downs1 Mile10421Nov. 30DemoiselleAqueduct1 1/8 Miles10421Nov. 30Golden RodChurchill Downs1 1/16 Miles10421Jan. 4BusandaAqueduct1 Mile 70 Yards10421Jan. 18SilverbulletdayFair Grounds1 Mile 70 Yards10421Jan. 20Santa YnezSanta Anita6.5 Furlongs10421Jan. 25Forward GalGulfstream Park7 Furlongs10421Feb. 1BusherAqueduct1 1/16 Miles10421Feb. 8Martha WashingtonOaklawn Park1 Mile10421Kentucky Oaks Championship SeriesDateRaceRacetrackDistance1st2nd3rd4thFeb. 22Davona DaleGulfstream Park1 1/16 Miles5020105Feb. 22Rachel AlexandraFair Grounds1 1/16 Miles5020105Feb. 27UAE OaksMeydan Racecourse1 3/16 Miles (S)5020105March 1Las VirgenesSanta Anita1 Mile5020105March 8HoneybeeOaklawn Park1 1/16 Miles5020105March 22Bourbonette OaksTurfway Park1 Mile (S)5020105March 23Sunland Park OaksSunland Park1 1/16 Miles5020105March 29Fair Grounds OaksFair Grounds1 1/16 Miles100402010March 29Gulfstream ParkGulfstream Park1 1/8 Miles100402010April 5AshlandKeeneland1 1/16 Miles (S)100402010April 5Santa Anita OaksSanta Anita1 1/16 Miles100402010April 5GazelleAqueduct1 1/8 Miles100402010April 9FantasyOaklawn Park1 1/16 Miles100402010April 13BeaumontKeeneland7 Furlongs (S)104212013-14 ChangesDateRaceRacetrackDistanceTop 4 PointsChangeSept. 27Fillies’ MileNewmarket1 Mile (T)0-0-0-0Removed (10-4-2-1)Dec. 7Hollywood StarletBetfair Hollywood Park1 1/16 Miles (S)0-0-0-0Removed (10-4-2-1)Jan. 1Old HatGulfstream Park6 Furlongs0-0-0-0Removed (10-4-2-1)Feb. 1BusherAqueduct1 1/16 Miles10-4-2-1AddedFeb. 6UAE 1,000 GuineasMeydan1 Mile (S)0-0-0-0Removed (10-4-2-1)Feb. 8California OaksGolden Gate1 1/16 Miles (S)0-0-0-0Removed (10-4-2-1)March 15CicadaAqueduct6 Furlongs0-0-0-0Removed (50-20-10-5)April 13BeaumontKeeneland7 Furlongs (S)10-4-2-1Formerly 20-8-4-2Fillies are not excluded from running in the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" series, but they must accrue points against open company in series races just like the rest of the colts and geldings in order to qualify. Any points earned by a Triple Crown-nominated filly in a "Road to the Kentucky Derby" race will be credited to her point total in the "Road to the Kentucky Oaks" series but not vice-versa.
Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/79967/churchill-releases-2013-14-derby-series#ixzz2bZ3elLbk
For the second year in a row, a tiered point system in select races will determine who qualifies for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). The total number of races in the series has been reduced by two.
Added were Churchill Downs' Iroquois Stakes (gr. III), a 1 1/16-mile race that will be run this September for 2-year-olds and the Jerome Stakes (gr. II) at Aqueduct Racetrack, run at 1 mile and 70 yards in early January. Removed from the Derby series were the Royal Lodge Stakes from Newmarket and the CashCall Futurity (gr. I) from Betfair Hollywood Park for juveniles, and the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) at Tampa Bay Downs and Churchill Downs' own Derby Trial Stakes (gr. III). The Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. III) from Keeneland has seen its points value lowered from 20 total points to 10.
Notably, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) remains with only 10 points as part of the "Prep Season," and the Illinois Derby (gr. III), which was not part of the series last year, was omitted again.
A year ago, Churchill Downs abandoned the 27-year-old graded stakes earnings criteria and proactively adopted a tiered point system to determine which horses would have preference for the Kentucky Derby. Now a sliding scale of points is awarded to the top four finishers in select races, and at the series' end, the top 20 point earners nominated to the Triple Crown get first crack to start in the Derby.
"Our team continues to believe that contraction is best for the 'Road to the Kentucky Derby' to flourish," said Churchill Downs racetrack president Kevin Flanery. "Many of our internal goals were met at the conclusion of this year's inaugural series. We established a clear and understandable path to the Derby; saw increased fan interest and wagering; created compelling drama; and ensured that our starting gate was filled with top 3-year-olds that were best prepared to go a mile-and-a-quarter on the first Saturday in May. With a 'less-is-more' approach and continued support from stakeholders and our racetrack partners, we hope to continue to move the ball forward in 2013-14."
As was the case in 2013, the tiebreaker when two or more horses have the same number of points will be earnings in non-restricted stakes races.
2013-14 ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY
34 Races (16 Championship Series Races) – Note: Race dates and distances are subject to change by host track.
Kentucky Derby Prep SeasonDateRaceRacetrackDistance1st2nd3rd4thSept. 7IroquoisChurchill Downs1 1/16 Miles10421Sept. 28FrontRunnerSanta Anita1 1/16 Miles10421Oct. 5ChampagneBelmont Park1 Mile10421Oct. 5Breeders’ FuturityKeeneland1 1/16 Miles (S)10421Oct. 6GreyWoodbine1 1/16 Miles (S)10421Nov. 2Breeders’ Cup JuvenileSanta Anita1 1/16 Miles10421Nov. 16Delta Downs JackpotDelta Downs1 1/16 Miles10421Nov. 30RemsenAqueduct1 1/16 Miles10421Nov. 30Kentucky Jockey ClubChurchill Downs1 1/16 Miles10421Jan. 4JeromeAqueduct1 Mile 70 Yards10421Jan. 4ShamSanta Anita1 Mile10421Jan. 18LecomteFair Grounds1 Mile 70 Yards10421Jan. 20Smarty JonesOaklawn Park1 Mile10421Jan. 25Holy BullGulfstream Park1 1/16 Miles10421Feb. 1Robert B. LewisSanta Anita1 1/16 Miles10421Feb. 1WithersAqueduct1 1/16 Miles10421Feb. 15El Camino Real DerbyGolden Gate1 1/8 Miles (S)10421Feb. 17SouthwestOaklawn Park1 1/16 Miles10421Kentucky Derby Championship SeriesDateRaceRacetrackDistance1st2nd3rd4thFeb. 22Fountain of YouthGulfstream Park1 1/16 Miles5020105Feb. 22Risen StarFair Grounds1 1/16 Miles5020105March 1GothamAqueduct1 1/16 Miles5020105March 8Tampa Bay DerbyTampa Bay Downs1 1/16 Miles5020105March 8San FelipeSanta Anita1 1/16 Miles5020105March 15RebelOaklawn Park1 1/16 Miles5020105March 22SpiralTurfway Park1 1/8 Miles (S)5020105March 23Sunland DerbySunland Park1 1/8 Miles5020105March 29Florida DerbyGulfstream Park1 1/8 Miles100402010March 29Louisiana DerbyFair Grounds1 1/8 Miles100402010March 29UAE DerbyMeydan Racecourse1 3/16 Miles (S)100402010April 5Wood MemorialAqueduct1 1/8 Miles100402010April 5Santa Anita DerbySanta Anita1 1/8 Miles100402010April 12Arkansas DerbyOaklawn Park1 1/8 Miles100402010April 12Blue GrassKeeneland1 1/8 Miles (S)100402010April 19LexingtonKeeneland1 1/16 Miles (S)104212013-14 ChangesDateRaceRacetrackDistanceTop 4 PointsChangeSept. 7IroquoisChurchill Downs1 1/16 Miles10-4-2-1AddedSept. 28Royal LodgeNewmarket1 Mile (T)0-0-0-0Removed (10-4-2-1)Dec. 14CashCall FuturityBetfair Hollywood Park1 1/16 Miles (S)0-0-0-0Removed (10-4-2-1)Jan. 4JeromeAqueduct1 Mile 70 Yards10-4-2-1AddedFeb. 1Sam F. DavisTampa Bay Downs1 1/16 Miles0-0-0-0Removed (10-4-2-1)April 19LexingtonKeeneland1 1/16 Miles (S)10-4-2-1Formerly 20-8-4-2April 26Derby TrialChurchill Downs1 Mile0-0-0-0Removed (20-8-4-2)"Prep Season" races award 10 points to the winner, 4 to the runner-up, 2 to third and 1 to fourth. Point values escalate for the "Championship Series," which is comprised of the most meaningful springboard events within the 10-week run up to the Derby. Each race in the first leg of the "Championship Series" between Feb. 22-March 23 is worth 50 points to the winner, 20 to the runner-up, 10 to third and 5 to fourth. The seven lucrative races staged three-to-five weeks ahead of the Derby offer points worth twice as much as the first leg: 100 to first, 40 to second, 20 to third and 10 to fourth.
As a result, the winners of races in the first leg and the top two finishers of second leg races have the upper hand, and horses that earned points during the "Prep Season" could be in the mix with top four placings. Horses on the "bubble" looking to increase their point totals have the option of running in the Lexington, which serves as a "wild card" race.
A similar series remains in place for the "Road to the Kentucky Oaks," the Derby's $1 million companion event for 3-year-old fillies on May 2, 2014. The total number of races in the Oaks (gr. I) series has been reduced from 34 to 29 races (see chart):
2013-14 ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY OAKS
29 Races (14 Championship Series Races) – Note: Race dates and distances are subject to change by host track.
Kentucky Oaks Prep SeasonDateRaceRacetrackDistance1st2nd3rd4thSept. 7PocahontasChurchill Downs1 1/16 Miles10421Sept. 28ChandelierSanta Anita1 1/16 Miles10421Oct. 5FrizetteBelmont Park1 Mile10421Oct. 5MazarineWoodbine1 1/16 Miles (S)10421Nov. 1Breeders’ Cup Juvenile FilliesSanta Anita1 1/16 Miles10421Nov. 16Delta Downs PrincessDelta Downs1 Mile10421Nov. 30DemoiselleAqueduct1 1/8 Miles10421Nov. 30Golden RodChurchill Downs1 1/16 Miles10421Jan. 4BusandaAqueduct1 Mile 70 Yards10421Jan. 18SilverbulletdayFair Grounds1 Mile 70 Yards10421Jan. 20Santa YnezSanta Anita6.5 Furlongs10421Jan. 25Forward GalGulfstream Park7 Furlongs10421Feb. 1BusherAqueduct1 1/16 Miles10421Feb. 8Martha WashingtonOaklawn Park1 Mile10421Kentucky Oaks Championship SeriesDateRaceRacetrackDistance1st2nd3rd4thFeb. 22Davona DaleGulfstream Park1 1/16 Miles5020105Feb. 22Rachel AlexandraFair Grounds1 1/16 Miles5020105Feb. 27UAE OaksMeydan Racecourse1 3/16 Miles (S)5020105March 1Las VirgenesSanta Anita1 Mile5020105March 8HoneybeeOaklawn Park1 1/16 Miles5020105March 22Bourbonette OaksTurfway Park1 Mile (S)5020105March 23Sunland Park OaksSunland Park1 1/16 Miles5020105March 29Fair Grounds OaksFair Grounds1 1/16 Miles100402010March 29Gulfstream ParkGulfstream Park1 1/8 Miles100402010April 5AshlandKeeneland1 1/16 Miles (S)100402010April 5Santa Anita OaksSanta Anita1 1/16 Miles100402010April 5GazelleAqueduct1 1/8 Miles100402010April 9FantasyOaklawn Park1 1/16 Miles100402010April 13BeaumontKeeneland7 Furlongs (S)104212013-14 ChangesDateRaceRacetrackDistanceTop 4 PointsChangeSept. 27Fillies’ MileNewmarket1 Mile (T)0-0-0-0Removed (10-4-2-1)Dec. 7Hollywood StarletBetfair Hollywood Park1 1/16 Miles (S)0-0-0-0Removed (10-4-2-1)Jan. 1Old HatGulfstream Park6 Furlongs0-0-0-0Removed (10-4-2-1)Feb. 1BusherAqueduct1 1/16 Miles10-4-2-1AddedFeb. 6UAE 1,000 GuineasMeydan1 Mile (S)0-0-0-0Removed (10-4-2-1)Feb. 8California OaksGolden Gate1 1/16 Miles (S)0-0-0-0Removed (10-4-2-1)March 15CicadaAqueduct6 Furlongs0-0-0-0Removed (50-20-10-5)April 13BeaumontKeeneland7 Furlongs (S)10-4-2-1Formerly 20-8-4-2Fillies are not excluded from running in the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" series, but they must accrue points against open company in series races just like the rest of the colts and geldings in order to qualify. Any points earned by a Triple Crown-nominated filly in a "Road to the Kentucky Derby" race will be credited to her point total in the "Road to the Kentucky Oaks" series but not vice-versa.
Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/79967/churchill-releases-2013-14-derby-series#ixzz2bZ3elLbk