Letters: On Derby Points, New Racing Documentary

Derby Points Should Reward Multiple Starts I don't agree with so many people being upset that Baeza doesn't qualify (through April 23) to get in the Kentucky Derby (G1) because of the points tweak to races with fewer than six horses. Over the years, a lot of deserving horses didn't make it into the Derby for a host of reasons. The main reason is they only take 20 horses (which is already an anomaly in American racing) and it's supposed to be a test of the best 3-year-olds to date. Every 3-year-old is not at their best the first Saturday in May. I personally do not like that the point system awards 100 points to the winner of the final preps. In my opinion the scale should be lower and every horse competing in the final preps should have competed in at least one previous prep. Since they now give points to the top five finishers, I think every prep race should award as follows: 5/4/3/2/1 points and whichever 20 horses earn the most points get in. No fuss about short fields. No "win and you're in" final prep. Some may say that's unfair to late-blooming horses, but that's the way the cookie crumbles. Just because you are a brother to a favorite horse or you had a great finish in one race doesn't mean you should have preferential treatment. Barbara Adams 1/ST Enjoyed Providing Access to Sports Documentary Just a friendly nudge to check out the new "Race For The Crown" series on Netflix. It's the latest high-octane production from the Netflix and Box To Box teams, makers of the acclaimed "Drive To Survive" docuseries, which of course has done so much to broaden the international appeal of F1, even among younger audiences, in recent years. Season One pulls back the curtain on the Triple Crown circuit, taking viewers on a never-before-seen trip from the Breeders' Cup through the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) in 2024. Thanks to more engaging, storytelling-driven content, including behind-the-scenes footage and unprecedented access to participants, we get to watch the unfolding drama through the overlapping lenses of competing jockeys, trainers, and owners as their fates and fortunes collide and contrast over the ultimate test of speed, stamina, and strategy for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds. At 1/ST, we're thrilled to have played our part in the process as the leading racing entity to have supported the Box To Box crew by opening up our racetracks, courtesy of our teams at Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita Park, and Pimlico Race Course. This work hinged on unfettered access during the races, including to all the series' central protagonists, alongside unique vantage points for truly cinematic visuals and a deep well of archive footage and data. The series covers Frankie Dettori's relocation to the United States, the trials of Bob Baffert, Mike Repole and John Stewart's rivalry, the rise of Umberto Rispoli (who will ride likely Kentucky Derby favorite Journalism this May) alongside many other familiar faces and feel-good underdog stories. You'll be the arbiter, but we hope the end result is an initial series which shines a compelling and positive light on the sport at a consequential moment for racing, raising awareness and appreciation of the sport and bringing new fans to it across the planet. Check out the season opener, or binge all six episodes in one sitting. Romilly Evans On behalf of 1/ST Racing