bobphilo: Tony,

Yes, big fields are common in Europe but their courses are also much bigger and there is a lot less crowding around tight turns.
There will always be a certain amount of risk and luck involved in racing, but there there is a lot of room for improvement in the Derby, in particular, and a few simple changes in qualifying requirements could make it both a safer and fairer race. I just don\'t think that the results of the most important race in the country should so often resemble a lottery. Especially if there are ways to improve the situation.

Bob

NoCarolinaTony: Bob,

It\'s because it\'s more like a lottery that attracts the money to it.

It\'s certainly not my best  race to wager / handicap in my lifetime. Keep the field size the ay it is. I don\'t care who qualifies or how they do it.

Let the owners bid for slots on EBAy for all I care.

NC Tony

bobphilo: Tony,

I mean this in the best possible way, but your last post decribes what is wrong with the Derby and, sadly, where it\'s going perfectly. I couldn\'t come up with a better argument for changing the qualifying requirements if I tried.

Bob