Quote:
Originally Posted by Soaring Softly
I don't believe there is a 2yo race anywhere in the country since 1981 that has produced that kind of fire-power.
The idea that this race could "go away" is just unthinkable!
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Pretty much all the major 2yo stakes are historically important and will have produced a litany of future major stakes winners. The Hollywood Futurity, aside from Roving Boy versus Copelan in 1982, has not been effective in producing a pitched battle for the 2yo Eclipse despite its late season position. In fact, only 4 Eclipse 2yos have come from there whereas the Champagne has produced 11, the Breeder's Futurity 6, and both the Norfolk and Del Mar Futurity 7 (likely 8 if Nyquist is named champion).
From the first 3 finishers since 1981, the Champagne has also produced more classic winners and more Travers winners.
Races like the Cowdin, Futurity, Laurel Futurity, Young America, and Garden State Stakes were very important in their respective heydays but for one reason or another were retooled or simply went by the wayside.
The Hollywood Futurity had an immediate impact because of its massive purse, but that has been chipped away for years now and the race is losing a bit of steam with all the minor changes (location, distance, purse, surface). A switch to Del Mar will at least keep it alive.