The Week In Review by Bill Finley
As the Saratoga and Del Mar meets continue to showcase the best horses in the sport, the quality of the fields is undeniable. However, a concerning trend has emerged – the dwindling number of horses in stakes races. Last weekend’s races highlighted this issue, with many races featuring only a handful of competitors.
Del Mar’s GIII Sorrento S. and GIII Best Pal S. for 2-year-olds had only four horses each. Despite the small fields, the winners, including ‚TDN Rising Star‘ Nooni and Getaway Car trained by Bob Baffert, delivered impressive performances. Baffert’s dominance in California’s 2-year-old races raises questions about the lack of competition.
Saratoga fared slightly better with an eight-horse field in the GII Sanford S. However, the GI Fourstardave H. and GI Saratoga Invitational Derby on Sunday each attracted only six horses. Similarly, Colonial Downs‘ prestigious grass races, such as the GII Secretariat S. and GII Beverly D., had minimal entries.
The escalating purses at tracks like Kentucky Downs pose a challenge for other racetracks to attract competitive fields. With Kentucky Downs offering a staggering $37 million in total purses, tracks like Colonial Downs struggle to compete. The declining foal crops exacerbate the issue, leading to a shortage of quality horses for stakes races.
The Graded Stakes Committee of TOBA has downgraded numerous stakes races in response to the lack of entries. However, the real solution lies in eliminating underperforming races to focus resources on more competitive events. Racing secretaries and track officials must make tough decisions to ensure the sustainability of the sport.
In other news, renowned trainer Karl Broberg announced his retirement after a successful career spanning 15 years and 4,902 wins. Broberg’s decision to shift focus to developing horses at his farm and working as a bloodstock agent reflects the changing landscape of the claiming game. His innovative approach and dedication to the sport will be missed in the racing community.
As the racing industry grapples with challenges such as declining field sizes and evolving trends, it is crucial for stakeholders to adapt and make strategic decisions to preserve the integrity and competitiveness of the sport. The Week In Review by Bill Finley sheds light on these pressing issues and offers insights into the future of horse racing.
