Less starts, less foals, less trainers, less tracks, less payouts, less handle, less attendance, less owners and small breeders, less durable horses.

More law suits.

Running two preps for the Derby is the new status quo. Preferably 5-6 weeks final prep for the derby. Which begs me to ask, what is the average starts per horse for the derby the last five years? Without looking, I would guess any where from 6-7 average lifetime starts for horses running in the Derby. That uses to be an average 2 year old season 20 years ago.

Trainers use the sheets also, and with their good stock, manage the horses according to tops and regression / bounces.
Everybody wants to peak in the derby and run their top figure. Then why is it most of the field will not run a top, or close to it in the derby?
One would think a different approach would be worth looking at.