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Kentucky Derby Notebook Derby mystique is worth more than money
Posted: Thursday May 04, 2000 11:06 AM
LOUISVILLE -- For this city, hosting the Kentucky Derby every spring is like hosting the Super Bowl: it's a guaranteed rainmaker, providing a financial windfall that lasts the whole year. For an entire week, hotel prices are jacked up to truly painful levels, cars are rented by the lotful and restaurants fill up faster than Homer Simpson at a chili cookoff. A single ticket to the race can be as priceless as the Hope diamond. Most important, more money is wagered at Churchill Downs on Derby day than on any single day at any other race track in the United States. Still, some people were surprised at the Derby trainer's dinner on Tuesday evening when bloodstock agent Demi O'Byrne wondered aloud, "How come the Kentucky Derby is worth only $1 million?"
A million dollars seems like an even stingier sum when you consider that the horses who race in the Derby are being asked to run farther than they ever have in their life against top competition and in fields that swell to dangerously large sizes. A mile and a quarter is a long way for a three year old to run so early in the season. Some horses never recover from the stress of a Triple Crown campaign -- most notably, Charismatic, who won the Derby and the Preakness last year before breaking down in the Belmont Stakes. He never raced again. There is, of course, only one reason for the Derby's miserly payout: if you run it, they will come. The Derby is the greatest race in the world, and therefore the most sought-after prize in thoroughbred racing. It doesn't have to pay to encourage people to enter. It's an event that transcends its sport, firing the passions of Hollywood stars and casual sports fans, of small-time trainers and ruling families. In short, it reaches places that American racing doesn't usually get to. The Derby doesn't have to become the richest race in the world, though it probably should. A lot of money is being made by a lot of people who aren't laying their reputations on the line on the first Saturday in May. Paying out an extra million-or-so dollars to sweeten the pot and reward horses and their connections for their efforts isn't too much to ask. On The MuscleAptitude: He's training great, he looks great and he's bred to go the Derby distance. If he can overcome his lack of experience, he could be the one standing in the winner's circle at six o'clock on Saturday. Captain Steve: This horse loves Churchill Downs. He too, is tearing up the track in the morning. It's risky business to try to handicap off of workouts, but this guy is looking like the real deal. If he makes a forward move from his effort in the Santa Anita Derby, watch out. Off Form Wheelaway: He had a disappointing workout on Saturday, going six furlongs
in a plodding 1:15, with the first half-mile in :51, and the final quarter in
:24. "It's hard to gauge the workout," said his trainer, John Kimmel,
afterwards. "The track was pretty dead. I hope it's not like this on Derby
day. He came back blowing but he cleared up pretty fast. I might have to think
about doing something more with him next
week."
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