Arkansas Derby now G1! Clark & Vandy too..
 

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Finally! There was also grumbling about the Clark as recently as yesterday. Glad someone saw reason.

I hope the American 1000 Guineas at Arlington gets G3 status, and there is one prep for the Million that is ungraded that should be graded.

Neither of them made it.

NT

I'm really surprised the Guineas didn't get a GIII this year. Oh well.

The Ill Derby got downgraded to a Grade III as well.

NT

About f'ing time.

Not sure I agree with the Vanderbilt getting upgraded, especially in light of the Tom Fool getting downgraded, but whatever. Overall I think they did a good job.

Finally! again, long over due!

its alright but the "Go for wand" got downgraded and the last five winners are: seventh street, ginger punch (twice in a row), spun sugar, ashado and azeri. yet the pacific classic retains grade 1 status with recent winners: richards kid, go between and student council, these things are a joke.

Aw poor Go Between. RIP.

Confused about the downgrading for the Go For Wand. How do the Pimlico folks feel about the Miss Preakness downgrade? Are they happy that's less of a purse requirement to deal with (every other year they seem to chuck the Pimlico Special in the name of saving $$ only to bring it back so it doesn't get ungraded) or are they miffed to lose a graded stake?

After reading that article where the folks at Sunland Park were crossing their fingers for grading, gotta say I was rooting for them a bit. I just imagined how I'd feel in their situation, what can I say? I love how there's been begging and personal visits and everything short of a kitchen sink thrown at the Committee and then the year they decide to stay home and see if that helps, well there ya go.

I wonder if some of the downgrades were actually requested by the track due to purse minimums.

Miss Preakness purse was paid for by Adena Springs (at least in part), but I can't see any track being happy about a downgrade- although the point about saving money may be beneficial to some tracks. Seems like Cali had a few that you wouldn't expect.

Interesting...

Wouldn't you agree that it's nice to see America's Heartland, Mid-South get the respect of a Grade I at Oaklawn? What a great Spring this could be with the set up at the Fairgrounds changing their schedule to go head to head with Hot Springs. I just got my tix for the Arkansas Derby and they are close to selling out of premium to good seats. In fact by this post the really decent seats may already be gone.:rolleyes: