Crist's latest column

[justindew]

Long story short, Crist is cirticial of the Preakness 5.5 bonus in this column. I'd like to hear what people think about his argument.

My initial reaction is that he makes some rare poor arguments. He ignores the possibility that some horses might be running in the specific races in order to qualify for the bonus, instead of heading to different spots that might have made more sense. Obviously, Gulfstream and the other Magna tracks have an interest in attracting the best fields they can. So with one of the goals being to attract top horses to these preps, maybe the bonus is working in that regard.

Also, he said himself in the column that horses that lose the KY Derby often just skip the Preakness to point for the Belmont. Well, maybe if there was $5.5 Million on the line, they would actually run in the Preakness after the Derby even if they lost the Derby badly. (Yes, I know he address this. But he definitely minimizes it) Just a thought.

I dunno. I always agree with Crist, and I am sure many of you will disagree with me. But I think he's being too hard here.

http://www.drf.com/news/preakness-55...-fix-big-issue

[justindew]

I think Magna's goal is to get an many good horses into as many of their races, including the Preakness, as possible. I think this bonus helps in that regard. I'm not saying they will capture a return on their investment, but I see this as a good idea.

Plus, why would Magna care about helping the Belmont, as Crist suggested in oue of his alternative bonus ideas?

[Port Conway Lane]

He acknowledges only a gelding would adversely affect the derby and I agree with him that at most two potential horses who otherwise may have skipped the Preakness would run in the second leg. The big loser could be Belmont if it lost the Preakness winner.

It's not like it has any impact on a potential TC winner like it did when Spend A Buck was lured away from the Preakness.

The initial preps to remain eligible for the bonus are the races that benefit the most. He makes it sound as if Magna should be held accountable for not pursuing some sort of deal with the other tracks. They're no more the culprit than the others in that regard.

[Cannon Shell]

I believe his point is that it accomplishes very little and that there are much better ways to increase participation in the Preakness

[justindew]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I believe his point is that it accomplishes very little and that there are much better ways to increase participation in the Preakness

Yeah, I mean they could have just increased the purse of the Preakness to $3 Million. But this may have increased participation in numerous races, while leaving open the possibility that they won't have to pay out a dime.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by justindew

Yeah, I mean they could have just increased the purse of the Preakness to $3 Million. But this may have increased participation in numerous races, while leaving open the possibility that they won't have to pay out a dime.

I don't know how to measure it but I doubt that the bonus has led anyone to alter their plans and choose magna races because of this bonus