The $766.40 trifecta payout for $.50 on the 2012 Kentucky Derby suggests that very few fans found the first place finishers of the five final G1 Derby preps a solid foundation for constructing their tickets. The fact that three of them finished in the top three on Saturday is a triumph for points-based eligibility advocates. The Team Valor plan put in motion again this year was the exception as they finished fourth; coming from last place in points and 17th in earnings-based eligibility rankings.
I’d never play poker with Barry Irwin who played a pat hand – waiting for others to drop out, minimizing his colt’s exposure to the hazards of racing while optimizing the effort to accumulate earnings. His Graham Cracker-Jack still had the horse ready for 10 furlongs. I predict the Spiral Stakes will be over-subscribed next year with copy-cats. That another synthetic surface victor finished third probably cements that strategy.
The curse of not running as a 2yo is still alive and well. Some blame the presence of an entrant with an absence of distance races in its resume, but the impact of the supernatural is more likely found in the severe case of second-it suffered by his owner who sold a minority share of the horse in the nick of time.
As this is the last in the series of our comparing eligibility systems, I want to give readers a sense of how the alternatives fared not only in 2012, but in 2011 and 2010 as well. Consequently, only the TR-PTS sequence chart will be included for all three years. Thanks to Mr. Pricci for helping me acquire partial earnings lists for previous years
Unlike previous charts in this series, all ratings, rankings, and tie-breakers are included for each rated horse, starter or not, and only the TR-PTS rank sequence will be used for each year. The names of actual Derby starters and their order of finish are bolded. The number preceding the name is their rank within gender. Rank column values reflect ranking without regard to gender.
Following each chart is a list of starters in finish order. The rankings referred to in those lists for both earnings and points are relative to starters only. Each starter list is followed by a summary of how points fared against earnings for that year.
| Earnings vs Points-based Rankings for Kentucky Derby Eligibility | ||||||||
| Through May 05, 2012 *** TR-PTS Seq *** | ||||||||
| Horse | Earnings Total | Earn Rk. | BCpt Rk. | TRpt Rk. |
BCpt TOT | TRpt TOT | TRpt TOP | #GS WPS |
| 1.Creative Cause (5) | $836,000 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 40 | 49 | 10 | 7 |
| 2.Union Rags (7) | $1,170,000 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 32 | 38 | 10 | 5 |
| 3.Drill | $300,000 | 27 | 7 | 6 | 22 | 25 | 10 | 3 |
| 4.Hansen (9) | $1,550,000 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 22 | 24 | 10 | 4 |
| 5.Dullahan (3) | $855,000 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 22 | 23 | 10 | 3 |
| 6.I'll Have Another (1) | $601,000 | 16 | 10 | 11 | 20 | 22 | 10 | 3 |
| 7.Secret Circle | $670,000 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 18 | 21 | 8 | 4 |
| 8.Trinniberg (17) | $324,500 | 24 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 21 | 8 | 4 |
| 9.Alpha (12) | $380,000 | 21 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 8 | 3 |
| 10.Majestic City | $170,000 | 52 | 20 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 8 | 3 |
| 11.Gemologist (16) | $703,855 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 10 | 2 |
| 12.Optimizer (11) | $184,708 | 48 | 25* | 19 | 12 | 16 | 6 | 3 |
| 13.Bodemeister (2) | $660,000 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 14 | 15 | 10 | 2 |
| 14.Rousing Sermon (8) | $270,000 | 33 | 32* | 23 | 10 | 14 | 8 | 3 |
| 15.Daddy Long Legs(20) | $1,294,030 | 3 | 24 | 24 | 12 | 14 | 7 | 2 |
| 16.Wrote(IRE) | $756,630 | 8 | 22 | 25 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 2 |
| 17.Take Charge Indy(19) | $698,400 | 12 | 23 | 29 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 2 |
| 18.Liaison (6) | $393,000 | 20 | 27* | 35 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 1 |
| 19.Currency Swap | $150,000 | 56 | 29* | 37 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 1 |
| 20.Excaper | $240,736 | 38 | 38* | 38 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 2 |
| 21.El Padrino (13) | $250,000 | 37 | 40* | 39 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 2 |
| 22.Jack's in the Deck | $105,000 | 76 | 42* | 41 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 2 |
| 23.Sabercat (15) | $701,429 | 11 | 43* | 42 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 2 |
| 24.Mark Valeski | $260,000 | 36 | 45* | 43 | 8 | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| 25.Reveron | $220,000 | 42 | 47* | 44 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 2 |
| 26.Prospective (18) | $367,327 | 23 | 39* | 45 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 2 |
| 27.Daddy Nose Best(10) | $545,558 | 17 | 37* | 47 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 3 |
| 28.State of Play | $90,000 | 92 | 48* | 53 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 2 |
| 29.Hero of Order | $617,375 | 15 | 54* | 55 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 1 |
| 30.O'Prado Again | $120,000 | 68 | 57* | 58 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 1 |
| 31.The Lumber Guy/ | $150,000 | 57 | 58* | 59 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 1 |
| 32.Yang Tse Kiang(FR) | $422,211 | 19 | 85* | 80 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 33.Done Talking (14) | $311,000 | 25 | 100* | 103 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| 34.Went the Day Well(4) | $282,000 | 31 | 102* | 105 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| 1.Grace Hall(f) | $740,000 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 26 | 30 | 10 | 4 |
| 2.My Miss Aurelia(f) | $1,350,000 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 26 | 27 | 10 | 3 |
| 3.Weemissfrankie(f) | $522,120 | 18 | 5 | 5 | 24 | 26 | 10 | 3 |
| 4.Stephanie's Kitten(f) | $850,446 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 20 | 23 | 10 | 3 |
| 5.Reneesgotzip(f) | $200,000 | 44 | 11 | 10 | 18 | 23 | 8 | 3 |
| 6.On Fire Baby(f) | $286,729 | 29 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 7 | 3 |
| 7.Eden's Moon(f) | $186,000 | 47 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 10 | 2 |
| 8.Willa B Awesome(f) | $264,000 | 35 | 18 | 21 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 2 |
| 9.Killer Graces(f) | $284,200 | 30 | 21 | 26 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 3 |
| 10.Believe You Can(f) | $369,734 | 22 | 33* | 32 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 2 |
Starters ranking higher on points than on earnings are bolded. Four starters were highly qualified on both earnings and points.
I'll Have Another (1) was 5th in points and 10th in earnings
Bodemeister (2) was 10th in points and 9th in earnings
Dullahan (3) was 11th in points and 4th in earnings
Went the Day Well(4) was 20th in points and 17th in earnings
Creative Cause (5) was 1st in points and 5th in earnings
Liaison (6) was 14th in points and 12th in earnings
Union Rags (7) was 2nd in points and 3rd in earnings
Rousing Sermon (8) was 11th in points and 18th in earnings
Hansen (9) was 3rd in points and 1st in earnings
Daddy Nose Best(10) was 18th in points and 11th in earnings
Optimizer (11) was 9th in points and 20th in earnings
Alpha (12) was 7th in points and 13th in earnings
El Padrino (13) was 15th in points and 19th in earnings
Done Talking (14) was 19th in points and 16th in earnings
Sabercat (15) was 16th in points and 7th in earnings
Gemologist (16) was 8th in points and 6th in earnings
Trinniberg (17) was 6th in points and 15th in earnings
Prospective (18) was 14th in points and 17th in earnings
Take Charge Indy(19) was 13th in points and 8th in earnings
Daddy Long Legs(20) was 12th in points and 2nd in earnings
1) 9 of 20 starters were ranked higher on points than earnings or were equal.
2) 10 of 20 starters were points qualified, and 4 of the top 5 finishers, 5 /7, 6/9, and 7/12
3) 4 of the 15 highest earners did not start
4) 3 of the top 10 points accumulators did no start
5) 3 of the 1st 4 finishers ranked higher on earnings than points, and 7/10
6) The best finish among the top 8 earning starters was 3rd; of 9, 2nd
7) The best finish among the top 6 points-qualified starters was 1st; of 4. 3rd
8) The highest points-rated starter finished 7th
9) 3 starters were earnings-qualified from a single WPS race
10 All starters raced within 6 weeks of the Derby; all but 1 at 9 furlongs
| Earnings vs Points-based Rankings for Kentucky Derby Eligibility | ||||||||
| Through May 07, 2011 *** TR-PTS Seq *** | ||||||||
| Horse | Earnings Total | Earn Rk. | BCpt Rk. | TRpt Rk. |
BCpt TOT | TRpt TOT | TRpt TOP | #GS WPS |
| 1.J P's Gusto | $544,000 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 34 | 39 | 10 | 6 |
| 2.Zazu | $238,185 | 31 | 5 | 4 | 24 | 29 | 10 | 4 |
| 3.Uncle Mo | $1,360,000 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 24 | 26 | 10 | 3 |
| 4.Jaycito | $250,000 | 27 | 8 | 7 | 20 | 23 | 10 | 3 |
| 5.To Honor and Serve | $250,000 | 26 | 11 | 8 | 18 | 23 | 7 | 4 |
| 6.Comma to the Top (19) | $671,000 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 20 | 22 | 10 | 3 |
| 7.Santiva (6) | $242,397 | 30 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 8 | 3 |
| 8.Mucho Macho Man (3) | $370,000 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 20 | 7 | 4 |
| 9.Soldat (11) | $540,000 | 11 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 7 | 4 |
| 10.Archarcharch (15) | $780,000 | 4 | 12 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 10 | 3 |
| 11.Riveting Reason | $147,500 | 40 | 26* | 21 | 12 | 17 | 6 | 3 |
| 12.Dialed In (8) | $840,000 | 3 | 19 | 24 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 2 |
| 13.The Factor | $272,500 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 12 | 14 | 7 | 2 |
| 14.Premier Pegasus | $228,000 | 33 | 25* | 26 | 12 | 14 | 7 | 3 |
| 15.Nehro (2) | $400,000 | 14 | 35* | 27 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 2 |
| 16.Rogue Romance | $288,000 | 22 | 43* | 30 | 10 | 13 | 6 | 3 |
| 17.Stay Thirsty (17) | $260,000 | 25 | 37* | 32 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 2 |
| 18.Toby's Corner | $625,000 | 7 | 28* | 35 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 2 |
| 19.Master of Hounds (5) | $441,884 | 13 | 50* | 39 | 8 | 11 | 6 | 2 |
| 20.Midnight Interlude (16) | $600,000 | 9 | 30* | 42 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 1 |
| 21.Brilliant Speed (7) | $450,000 | 12 | 31* | 43 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 1 |
| 22.Sway Away | $111,500 | 47 | 51* | 48 | 8 | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| 23.Gourmet Dinner | $780,000 | 5 | 45* | 49 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 3 |
| 24.Twinspired (17) | $197,500 | 35 | 52* | 50 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 2 |
| 25.Pants On Fire (9) | $623,000 | 8 | 48* | 51 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 2 |
| 26.Willcox Inn | $141,143 | 42 | 71* | 53 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 2 |
| 27.Shackleford (4) | $212,000 | 34 | 58* | 56 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 1 |
| 28.Watch Me Go (18) | $235,500 | 32 | 53* | 60 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 2 |
| 29.Anthony's Cross | $182,000 | 37 | 54* | 61 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 2 |
| 30.Flashpoint | $140,000 | 43 | 69* | 73 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 1 |
| 31.Brethren | $157,500 | 39 | 74* | 75 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
| 32.Dance City | $100,000 | 48 | 82* | 78 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
| 33.Mr. Commons | $120,000 | 45 | 83* | 79 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
| 34.Twice the Appeal (10) | $400,000 | 15 | 100* | 105 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| 35.Animal Kingdom (1) | $285,000 | 23 | 101* | 106 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| 36.Derby Kitten (13) | $120,000 | 44 | 104* | 109 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| 37.Decisive Moment (14) | $301,000 | 20 | 128* | 130 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| 1.R Heat Lightning(f) | $910,000 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 34 | 40 | 10 | 5 |
| 2.Kathmanblu(f) | $328,525 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 7 | 4 |
| 3.Joyful Victory(f) | $345,000 | 17 | 21 | 19 | 14 | 17 | 7 | 3 |
| 4.Daisy Devine(f) | $300,000 | 21 | 65* | 69 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 1 |
| 5.Bouquet Booth(f) | $326,000 | 19 | 102* | 107 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
No starter was highly qualified on earnings and points.
Animal Kingdom (1) was 17th on points 13th in earnings
Nehro (2) was 9th in earnings, 7th on points
Mucho Macho Man (3) was 3rd on points and 11th in earnings
Shackleford (4) was 14th on points and 18th in earnings
Master of Hounds (5) was 9th on points and 8th in earnings
Santiva (6) was 2nd on points and 15th in earnings,
Brilliant Speed (7) was 11th on points and 7th in earnings
Dialed In (8) was 6th on points and 1st in earnings
Pants On Fire (9) was 13th on points and 4th in earnings,
Twice the Appeal (10) was 16th on points and 10th in earnings
Soldat (11) was 4th on points and 6th in earnings
Stay Thirsty (12) was 8th on points and 14th in earnings
Derby Kitten (13) was 19th on points and 19th in earnings
Decisive Moment (14) was 19th on points and 12th in earnings
Archarcharch (15) was 5th on points and 2nd in earnings
Midnight Interlude (16) was 10th on points and 5th in earnings
Twinspired (17) was 12th on points and 18th in earnings
Watch Me Go (18) was 15th on points and 16th in earnings
Comma to the Top (19) was 1st on points and 3rd in earnings
1) 9 of 19 starters were ranked higher on points than earnings or were equal
2) 4 of 19 starters were points qualified
3) The first two finishers, and 7 of the first 10, were ranked higher on earnings than points
4) 4 of the 9 highest earners did not start
5) The 5 highest points accumulators did not start, and 8 of the top 14
6) The best finish among the top 8 earning starters was 8th; of 9, 2nd
7) 5 of the top 6 points accumulators did not start
8) The best finish among the top 6 points-qualified starters was 3rd; of 7, 2
9) The highest points-rated starter finished 19th and last.
10) 6 starters including the winner were earnings-qualified from a single WPS race
11) All starters raced at 9 furlongs or longer within 6 weeks of the Derby
| Earnings vs Points-based Rankings for Kentucky Derby Eligibility | ||||||||
| Through May 01, 2010 *** TR-PTS Seq *** | ||||||||
| Horse | Earnings Total | Earn Rk. | BCpt Rk. | TRpt Rk. |
BCpt TOT | TRpt TOT | TRpt TOP | #GS WPS |
| 1.Lookin at Lucky (6) | $1,480,000 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 52 | 58 | 10 | 7 |
| 2.Noble's Promise (5) | $738,000 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | 29 | 10 | 4 |
| 3.Sidney's Candy (17) | $630,000 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 22 | 24 | 10 | 3 |
| 4.Dublin (7) | $373,208 | 17 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 21 | 10 | 4 |
| 5.Discreetly Mine (13) | $340,000 | 20 | 12 | 10 | 16 | 20 | 8 | 3 |
| 6.Beautician | $484,866 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 16 | 20 | 8 | 4 |
| 7.Make Music for Me (4) | $218,750 | 33 | 17 | 12 | 14 | 19 | 8 | 3 |
| 8.Aikenite | $221,750 | 32 | 18 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 8 | 4 |
| 9.Eskendereya | $600,000 | 8 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 10 | 2 |
| 10.Super Saver (1) | $363,832 | 18 | 22 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 8 | 3 |
| 11.Interactif | $307,950 | 24 | 21 | 19 | 14 | 16 | 5 | 4 |
| 12.Jackson Bend (12) | $230,000 | 29 | 25* | 22 | 12 | 15 | 8 | 3 |
| 13.Rule | $645,000 | 5 | 28* | 28 | 12 | 14 | 6 | 3 |
| 14.Paddy O'Prado (3) | $250,950 | 26 | 29* | 29 | 11 | 13 | 8 | 3 |
| 15.Backtalk (20) | $225,916 | 30 | 30* | 32 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 3 |
| 16.American Lion (11) | $378,000 | 16 | 41* | 35 | 10 | 11 | 4 | 3 |
| 17.Line of David (18) | $600,000 | 7 | 31* | 36 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 1 |
| 18.Ice Box (2) | $457,500 | 12 | 32* | 37 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 1 |
| 19.Stately Victor (8) | $450,000 | 13 | 33* | 38 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 1 |
| 20.Homeboykris (16) | $250,500 | 27 | 34* | 39 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 1 |
| 21.Setsuko | $180,000 | 38 | 42* | 42 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 2 |
| 22.Caracortado | $153,000 | 39 | 44* | 43 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 2 |
| 23.Awesome Act (19) | $285,000 | 25 | 45* | 44 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 2 |
| 24.A Little Warm | $180,000 | 37 | 47* | 45 | 8 | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| 25.Conveyance (15) | $386,000 | 15 | 40* | 47 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 3 |
| 26.Pleasant Prince | $189,278 | 35 | 50* | 48 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 2 |
| 27.Dean's Kitten (14) | $326,475 | 21 | 43* | 50 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 2 |
| 28.Mission Impazible (9) | $485,934 | 10 | 52* | 58 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 2 |
| 29.Northern Giant | $132,000 | 43 | 66* | 60 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 2 |
| 30.Connemara | $138,500 | 41 | 69* | 69 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
| 31.First Dude | $97,500 | 45 | 78* | 74 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
| 32.Endorsement | $400,000 | 14 | 93* | 95 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| 33.Odysseus | $183,750 | 36 | 94* | 96 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| 34.Eightyfiveinafifty | $131,514 | 44 | 95* | 97 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| 35.Alphie's Bet | $90,000 | 46 | 97* | 99 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| 36.Yawanna Twist | $147,000 | 40 | 116* | 120 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| 37.Schoolyard Dreams | $137,500 | 42 | 117* | 121 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| 38.Uh Oh Bango | $237,952 | 28 | 118* | 122 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| 1.Blind Luck(f) | $1,041,150 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 60 | 67 | 10 | 8 |
| 2.Amen Hallelujah(f) | $318,630 | 22 | 7 | 3 | 24 | 31 | 7 | 5 |
| 3.Evening Jewel(f) | $310,000 | 23 | 3 | 5 | 24 | 28 | 10 | 4 |
| 4.She Be Wild(f) | $1,312,100 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 24 | 28 | 10 | 4 |
| 5.Devil May Care(f) (10) | $363,000 | 19 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 10 | 2 |
| 6.Crisp(f) | $225,000 | 31 | 14 | 23 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 2 |
| 7.Quiet Temper(f) | $510,000 | 9 | 27* | 30 | 12 | 13 | 7 | 3 |
Three starters were highly qualified on both earnings and points
Super Saver (1) was 11th on points and 7th in earnings
Ice Box (2) was 13th on points and 6th in earnings
Paddy O’Prado (3) was 9th on points and 16th in earnings
Music for Me (4) was 6th on points and 20th in earnings
Noble’s Promise (5) was 2nd on points and 2nd in earnings
Lookin at Lucky (6) was 1st on points and 1st in earnings *
Dublin (7) was 4th on points and11th in earnings
Stately Victor (8) was 14th on points and 7th in earnings
Mission Impazible (9) was 20th in points and 5th in earnings
Devil May Care(f) (10) was 7th on points and 5th in earnings
American Lion (11) was 11th on points and 9th in earnings
Jackson Bend (12) was 8th on points and 17th in earnings
Discreetly Mine (13) was 5th on points and 13th in earnings
Dean's Kitten (14) was 19th on points and 13th in earnings
Conveyance (15) was 18 th on points and 8th in earnings
Homeboykris (16) 16th in points and 17 in earnings
Sidney's Candy (17) was 3rd on points and 3rd in earnings
Line of David (18) was 12th on points and 4th in earnings
Awesome Act (19) was 16th on points and 15th in earnings
Backtalk (20) was 10th on points and 19th in earnings
* The favorite’s performance was compromised by the rail post position
1) 10 of 20 starters ranked higher on points than earnings or were equal
2) 8 of 20 starters were points-qualified including 4 of the 1st 6 finishers
3) 6 of the last 7 finishers ranked 12th or lower on points
4) The first 3 finishers were ranked 9th or lower on points
5) 3 of the 8 highest earners did not start, and 4/11
6) 3 of the top 9 points accumulators did not start, and 4/11
7) the best finish among the top 6 points-qualified starters was 4th
8) The highest-ranking starter on both earnings and points finished 6th
9) 3 starters were earnings-qualified from a single WPS race
10) 19 of 20 starters raced at 9 furlongs or longer within 6 weeks of the Derby
CONCLUSIONS
I. In all three years, roughly half the starters were ranked higher on points than earning. (all starters by definition are earnings-qualified), but in 2011, relatively few of them were points qualified, and no starter qualified highly on both points and earnings. There may be some correlation to the subsequent dearth of 3yos winning multiple G1 stakes, as well as to the relatively high number of points-qualified horses that did not start in the Derby.
II. Since fields with greater numbers of points-qualified starters tend to be stronger, then qualifying entrants on points rather than earnings should tend to strengthen Derby fields.
III. All Derby qualifying graded stakes for 2yos and 3yos should be run at one mile or longer. All starters must have finished third or better in a graded stake at 9 furlongs or longer within 6 weeks of the Derby.
REFERENCES
In a point system used by the Breeders' Cup (BC-PTS) to measure the value of finish positions across graded levels, the place and show points at each grade level match the win and place points at the next lower level.
| BC-PTS | W | P | S |
| G1 | 10 | 6 | 4 |
| G2 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| G3 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
In another point system (TR-PTS) defined at the “Thoroughbred Report” website (http://www.thoroughbredreport.com), finishing 2nd is also worth more than finishing 1st at the next lower grade level.
| TR-PTS | W | P | S |
| G1 | 10 | 8 | 6 |
| G2 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| G3 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Each TR-PTS value is unique and will used to indicate a horse’s top–rated finish in any graded stakes race as well as to determine a TR_PTS rating. It will also be used as the primary tie-breaker in ranking identical TR_PTS or BC-PTS ratings. The secondary tie-breaker will be the number of Win, Place, or Show (WPS) finishes in graded stakes.
More details regarding the motivation for this effort, and previous ones on which it is based, may be found at http://www.horseraceinsider.com/The-HRI-Readers-Blog/02292012-the-kentucky-derby-grading-the-road-ahead
08 May 2012 at 02:23 am | #
I want to thank the HRI webmaster for his patience and continued efforts to make the copy I submitted so visually pleasing, even when I transmitted what I thought were the last edited versions, but in reality were not.
The two paragraphs below the advertisement should read as follows:
“As this is the last in the series of our comparing eligibility systems, I wanted to give readers a sense of how the alternatives fared not only in 2012, but in 2011 and 2010 as well. Consequently, only a single chart will be included for each year. Thanks to Mr. Pricci for helping me acquire partial earnings lists for previous years
Unlike previous charts in this series, all ratings, rankings, and tie-breakers are included for each rated horse, starter or not, and only the TR-PTS rank sequence will be used. The names of actual Derby starters and their order of finish are bolded. The number preceding the name is their rank within gender. Rank column values reflect ranking without regard to gender.”
In the CONCLUSIONS section, item II should read as follows:
“II. Since fields with greater numbers of points-qualified starters tend to be stronger, then qualifying entrants on points rather than earnings should tend to strengthen Derby fields even more.”
Thnks to Mr. Pricci for an extremely enjoyable and enlightening experience, and to HRI readers for not rebelling while I learned that publishing is a lot more than just writing.
08 May 2012 at 07:32 am | #
Dear Indulto:
Love your work. As Mr. Spock would say: “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of a few (and I say that with no communist ties whatsoever). Am I correct in presuming that such a system would offset the bias of the over-inflated earnings at the secondary ovals (and perhaps overseas)? Should overseas earnings/points not be counted? I realize the amount of work involved, but of course, 3 years is not enough of a sample group to believe it holds water, although it is compelling. In an ever changing landscape, the tendency, as with the nimrods at the NYRA, is to just keep the status quo, which is nothing short of stupidity. Men with vision in high places is what we need. Thanks again for your substantive hard work towards the cause
Sincerely,
TTT
08 May 2012 at 10:15 am | #
”… 3 years is not enough of a sample group to believe it holds water, although it is compelling.”
Teddy, my love
Data ran out too fast
Those points I generated
Could be my last
Please, Teddy
Help me recover the past
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7c_6ieoTDM
08 May 2012 at 11:51 am | #
I,
I have to tell you that when I try to conjure up the past, the Chordettes are not the first thing that leaps to mind. Glad all the research has not dulled your senseof humor.
T, You must have some idea of how exhausting the research done by Indulto was; trust me, it was extraordinary.
The thing is you really don’t have to go back more than three years to find a workable sample. What the points system does is to try insuring that the big, traditional harder-to-win preps maintain their status and that some lower level, slots-infused racing program can throw enough money at one race to get, at best, one or two name horses vs. generally overmatched locals.
For the purposes of the Derby, and the traditional preps, those two horses could make the Wood, S.A. Derby, etc., more competitive, thereby helping to establish a more accurate pecking order within the 3YO division.
I know you’re a big fan of Indulto’s work, as am I. Hopefully, some high ranking executive at CDI Inc. at least takes the time to research the idea. After all, most of the heavy lifting was done for them already.
Fans everywhere owe Indulto a debt of gratitude, if for no other reason than try to make a positive difference.
JP