The Kentucky Derby, often referred to as “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports,” is a race that captures the imagination of millions. However, this year, a logistical change in the qualification system threatens to leave one of the fastest contenders, Baeza, out of the starting gate. The decision has sparked controversy and raised questions about fairness in the sport.
For years, the Kentucky Derby field was determined by career earnings in graded stakes races. This system allowed horses to qualify based on their financial success, but it also led to issues where horses with early wins in less relevant races could secure a spot. In 2012, the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” point system was introduced to create a clearer pathway for qualification. Points are awarded based on performance in designated prep races, with higher stakes races offering more points.
This year, a tweak to the point system has caused a stir. In races with fields of five or fewer horses, the number of points awarded is halved. This change was implemented to address concerns about smaller fields in certain regions, but it has inadvertently penalized some of the fastest horses, including Baeza. The California-based horse earned a Beyer speed figure of 101 in the Santa Anita Derby, the second-fastest of any contender this year. Despite this impressive performance, Baeza only earned 37.5 points due to the reduced field size, leaving him ranked 22nd on the leaderboard—outside the top 20 needed to qualify for the Derby [A](https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/logistical-change-road-to-the-kentucky-derby-baeza-santa-anita-derby/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiIxZ2I2MndjeXV3aldyRFNFN1hrSFUiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoidjkzRW1zR1I5QVpnWDFjWXJrejZXIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm9uMy5jb21cL3RlYW1zXC9rZW50dWNreS13aWxkY2F0c1wvbmV3c1wvbG9naXN0aWNhbC1jaGFuZ2Utcm9hZC10by10aGUta2VudHVja3ktZGVyYnktYmFlemEtc2FudGEtYW5pdGEtZGVyYnlcLyJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
Baeza’s trainer, John Shirreffs, expressed frustration with the new system, stating that the horse’s talent and speed should be the primary factors in determining qualification. “All we can do is watch the leaderboard and how it changes over the next week,” Shirreffs said, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding Baeza’s fate [A](https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/logistical-change-road-to-the-kentucky-derby-baeza-santa-anita-derby/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiIxZ2I2MndjeXV3aldyRFNFN1hrSFUiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoidjkzRW1zR1I5QVpnWDFjWXJrejZXIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm9uMy5jb21cL3RlYW1zXC9rZW50dWNreS13aWxkY2F0c1wvbmV3c1wvbG9naXN0aWNhbC1jaGFuZ2Utcm9hZC10by10aGUta2VudHVja3ktZGVyYnktYmFlemEtc2FudGEtYW5pdGEtZGVyYnlcLyJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
The controversy has reignited debates about the fairness and effectiveness of the point system. Critics argue that the change disproportionately affects horses from regions with smaller fields, such as California, and undermines the merit-based nature of the Derby. Supporters, however, believe the tweak encourages larger and more competitive fields, ultimately benefiting the sport.
As the Derby approaches, the situation remains fluid. If other horses withdraw from the race, Baeza could still secure a spot. However, the uncertainty has left fans and industry insiders questioning whether the system truly serves the best interests of the sport and its participants.
For Baeza, the logistical shift represents a missed opportunity to showcase his speed and compete on one of the biggest stages in horse racing. For the Kentucky Derby, it serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in balancing tradition, fairness, and the evolving dynamics of the sport. Whether this change will lead to further adjustments in the future remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the debate over Baeza’s exclusion will be a topic of discussion long after the roses are awarded [A](https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/logistical-change-road-to-the-kentucky-derby-baeza-santa-anita-derby/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiIxZ2I2MndjeXV3aldyRFNFN1hrSFUiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoidjkzRW1zR1I5QVpnWDFjWXJrejZXIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm9uMy5jb21cL3RlYW1zXC9rZW50dWNreS13aWxkY2F0c1wvbmV3c1wvbG9naXN0aWNhbC1jaGFuZ2Utcm9hZC10by10aGUta2VudHVja3ktZGVyYnktYmFlemEtc2FudGEtYW5pdGEtZGVyYnlcLyJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
