@failedtomenace I feel like this another way racing is hurting itself in the long run. Are we possibly antagonizing two American owners who will leave the game because their one chance to get in the Derby went elsewhere.
I would love to see more horses do what Mandarin Hero did a few years ago and come over to the US for a prep race. That said, I know there are all sorts of logistics that have made that difficult for Japanese runners in the past.
As for your first question, hard to have any empirical evidence in either direction since we can't run a counter hypothetical. Derby handle has gone up in recent years and that corresponds with increasing visibility of international entrants, but I'm not sure that's the reason for the increase (correlation doesn't equal causation). I would be interested to see the amount of money wagered in Japan, specifically, on the Derby in recent years.
Personally, I wish we would see some international horses come over for the undercard racs as well.
Join Matt and I as we take a deep dive into a pair of biggies this week 🔥🔥Who do you like in the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby and the $1 million Florida Derby?? 🏇🏇
horseracingnation.com/blogs/HorseCen…
Kentucky Derby preps were secondary. It was the 7-year-old stars Skippylongstocking and Touchuponastar who owned the day 🏇⭐️
horseracingnation.com/blogs/zatt/Zip…
Big cards at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park tomorrow but do not forget about SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING⭐️🏇 The 7-year-old son of Exaggerator will be looking for his 12th graded stakes victory in the Essex Handicap at Oaklawn Park.
📸- Coady Media
Forever Young, Magnitude, Hit Show, Calandagan, Rebel's Romance, Ethical Diamond, Ombudsman, Bentornato, Lovesick Blues, Al Haram, Six Speed, and Labwah are just a few of the horses I look forward to watching during a loaded Dubai World Cup card on March 28 🏇🏇🏇
@CarlAdamec@CuseWBB@UConnWBB And Vanderbilt is the number 8 team in the country which puts them in UConn's bracket. That means they are behind (in no particular order) Iowa and Michigan.
First, to have @CuseWBB possibly playing @UconnWBB in the second round for the fourth time in 10 seasons (three times at Gampel Pavilion) is just the NCAA selection committee being freaking lazy. Not to say that Syracuse can't win two games in Storrs, but it deserved better
Emerging Market will almost certainly be favored in the Louisiana Derby. Chad Brown is 0-15 over the last 5 years with dirt starters in graded stakes exiting maiden wins and coming off Lasix.
🔥My current Kentucky Oaks rankings - March 12, 2026🔥
1) Zany
2) Meaning
3) She Be Smooth
4) Bella Ballerina
5) Explora
6) Forced Entry
7) Labwah
8) Life of Joy
9) Counting Stars
10) Prom Queen
11) Paradise
12) Luv Your Neighbor
13) Percy's Bar
14) Bank Shot