Any given running of a race can be bad, relative to it's general class. A bad (relatively) horse can win a good race and get G1 status. Broker's Tip won one race in his life, the Kentucky Derby. He was a bad horse who won a race that we today call G1.
The graded stake committee is supposed to look past one poor running of any race and use a multi year sample. That's why I cannot understand the change in the Clark. Last year's running was important enough for it to get G1 this year, but now it's downgraded. Were they just bummed that Magna Graduate didn't train on? It makes no sense. I think that one a grade is assigned, they should let it stand for at least 2 years to let trainers work it into their schedules.
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