The new order, it seemed, would give series a chance to stand out and to avoid the demolition-derby ratings battles that are the hallmark of the traditional seasons.
Nielsen ratings for the Derby for the late 1970s show that the Derby enjoyed a 50percentt share of the TV audience.
Race officials hope the switch will provide more promotion and exposure for the Derby, which has had declining ratings.
Television ratings for this year's Derby were down, for example.
Animal Kingdom's winning Beyer Speed Figure of 103 was the second lowest for the Derby in the 20 years that these ratings have been published in the Daily Racing Form.
Both Churchill Downs and Pimlico switched this year for the Derby and Preakness, in the interests of TV ratings, and held a draw that decided an order of selection, rather than post positions.
Phantom Jet did sneak into the ratings, by virtue of his win in the Tampa Bay Derby Saturday.
"Pinewood Derby" was seen by 2.78 million households in its original broadcast, according to Nielsen ratings, making it the second most-watched episode on Comedy Central the week it aired.
At Santa Anita, Masterful Advocate will try to live up to his billing as the Kentucky Derby favorite, with Chart The Stars, Alysheba and Temperate Sil--who has dropped out of the ratings--also in the field.
