Until quite recently, the Kentucky Oaks was not as important at the New York Classics. It was (like the Derby) 12f from 1875-1890, then 10f from 1891 to 1895, then 9f from 9f from 1920 to 1941, after which it was 8.5f until 1982. When grading was introduced in 1973, it got a G2 ranking.
Even though it was an attempt to revive the old Pimlico Oaks, the Black-Eyed Susan has never been all that big a race. It wasn't increased from 8.5f to 9f until 1989, and was only a G3 when first graded.
Used to be the Acorn was around Derby weekend, the Mother Goose was Memorial Day weekend and the CC American Oaks was the Saturday after the Belmont, leaving the 3yo fillies plenty of time to run in the Monmouth and Delaware Oaks before tackling the Alabama. Back when trainers ran fillies to win races rather than to enhance their catalogue pages. <Sigh.>
The great mare Shuvee won the Fillies' Triple, two runnings of the Jockey Club Gold Cup over the guys, was a G1 type winner at 2,3,4 and 5. Nobody thought of retiring her (completely sound) after her 3yo season because she had a good enough page (7 G1-type wins).
Yep, everything was better in the good old days. <geezer talk>
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