Kentucky Derby Challenge
Did you realize a coveted spot in the 2009 Kentucky Derby was just filled? The Kentucky Derby Challenge was run a few minutes ago at Kempton Park in England over the artificial dirt and Mafaaz won by a nose. Mafaaz is by Medicean out of the Danehill mare Complimentary Pass and is now 2 of 3 lifetime. Pedigree says turf. The announcer on the simulcast feed - "I don't think he has a prayer to win the Kentucky Derby. I'd put him about 150 to 1 in my book." The field was pretty pathetic 23 career wins for the 14 entrants with one stakes winner (Talking Heads). Turf pedigrees were predominant. Perhaps Europhiles will down too many mint juleps and throw their money away on Mafaaz. Money on Mafaaz seeds to pools.
Why they are giving a Derby spot away in this race is beyond me. Perhaps the masterminds at Churchill Downs have been drinking the same (European) Kool-Aid as the Breeders' Cup brass. Do we need a scrub Euro to make the Derby more enticing? The Challenge adds a hopeless longshot to the field and keeps out a much more deserving horse.
Perhaps NBC needs another storyline to fill its airtime. Couldn't they just make their entire broadcast about Barbaro and Eight Belles?
There are only two reasons for the Challenge
1. To draw European betting money into the KY Derby wagering pools
2. To draw US money into the pools today at Kempton
As for #2, the Derby Challenge attracted $46,629 in total wagers (Win, Place, Exacta, and three different Pick 3s). That is about what Wednesday's feature at Beulah Park handled (a competitive seven horse $5000 claiming race for non-winners of four lifetime). Tonight's Australian Simulcasts from Bendigo and Randwick-Kensington will probably draw more money per race. The Derby Challenge did outdraw the early races from Kempton. The race prior handled $16,259.
Why they are giving a Derby spot away in this race is beyond me. Perhaps the masterminds at Churchill Downs have been drinking the same (European) Kool-Aid as the Breeders' Cup brass. Do we need a scrub Euro to make the Derby more enticing? The Challenge adds a hopeless longshot to the field and keeps out a much more deserving horse.
Perhaps NBC needs another storyline to fill its airtime. Couldn't they just make their entire broadcast about Barbaro and Eight Belles?
There are only two reasons for the Challenge
1. To draw European betting money into the KY Derby wagering pools
2. To draw US money into the pools today at Kempton
As for #2, the Derby Challenge attracted $46,629 in total wagers (Win, Place, Exacta, and three different Pick 3s). That is about what Wednesday's feature at Beulah Park handled (a competitive seven horse $5000 claiming race for non-winners of four lifetime). Tonight's Australian Simulcasts from Bendigo and Randwick-Kensington will probably draw more money per race. The Derby Challenge did outdraw the early races from Kempton. The race prior handled $16,259.
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