Kentucky Derby postponed till Sept 5
Folks,
The Kentucky Derby has been postponed till Sept 5, 2020.
What does that mean?
Maryland has already stopped their racing schedule for the time being. Does that mean the Preakness is in doubt?
New York continues to race, but not in front of a live audience (jockeys don't count in that respect).
Could the Belmont be the first step in the Triple Crown this year? 20 colts going 1.5 miles my lord.
I don't think they are bound by the KY Derby point system.
What do the horses do?
The prep race schedule is a bit muddled.
Keeneland is closed. No Lexington or Derby Trial.
There is a lot of money to be won, so I expect racing to continue and horses to build their credentials.
The Peter Pan looks like a big prep race now; I would move it 1 week earlier so it is 3 weeks before the Belmont instead of 2 weeks (only if the Preakness is canceled/Postponed).
The Travers is now 1 week before the KY Derby. This move essentially kills that race, unless it is moved earlier.
The Haskell is now July 18, it is in a great spot between the Belmont and the Kentucky Derby if you want just one race. Perhaps too much time keep a horse sharp between races. 1 month seems to be optimal these days.
What a chess match this will be to keep track of things.
Larry
DevilHorse
Impact of the Coronavirus
Realize that race meets are stopping for the Coronavirus on a daily basis. A worker at Aqueduct was found to have the virus and the Aqueduct meeting, which was being held in front of NOBODY, was immediately stopped.
As of today, Woodbine Mohawk was stopping their race meet which they had been holding.
On a personal note, I live in New Jersey (not far from Monmouth and Freehold Raceways).
You may have seen on the National news about a family that lost 4 people to the Coronavirus in Freehold, NJ.
I heard the family name (Fusco) yesterday and it was familiar, so I did some checking and it seems I knew some members.
Two of the sons of the matriarch of the family died in the past couple of days due to this virus; they were both horse trainers.
Carmine, the elder, apparently caught it from John Brennan who died several weeks ago who raced exclusively at Yonkers Raceway.
I was better aquainted with Vinnie Fusco, with whom we shared a barn years ago.
I talked to my friend and trainer who knew these guys since they were boys. Vinnie was still in great shape and he could not survive this illness.
These are scary times.
Take whatever precautions you need to and stay safe.
Larry
DevilHorse