In 2012, I will be covering the NYRA circuit for Horse Racing Nation. HRN has had a series of articles about the Derby Trail. Here is my first New York piece:
Since 1986, graded stakes earnings have determined which horses get into the Kentucky Derby field. The Derby Trail through New York offers four opportunities to gather graded purse money. With the October opening of the Genting Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct those purses have already grown and become more attractive. The purse for the Withers (G3), to be run on Feb. 4, has gone from $150,000 to $200,000. The March 3rd Gotham (G3) has increased by $150,000 up to $400,000. The Bay Shore (G3) runs on April 7th, with prize money increased by $50,000 to $250,000 and on the same day the $1,000,000 Wood Memorial (G1) is the feature race of the New York’s prep races.
Click here to read the rest of The_Derby_Trail_Goes_Through_New_York .
AndyScoggin in NJ 