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Originally Posted by SniperSB23
Plus with the Cali races, including the Goodwood, getting G1 status there is even less incentive for any horse there to come east. You would have years where the top 3yo and top older horses on both coasts never meet when they would have if there was a BC.
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To be honest, the Goodwood is perhaps the only
existing race that the BC "improved" from a graded ranking and purse perspective. Oak Tree bolstered the race (and also created the Lady's Secret for females) specifically to serve as BC preps. Back in the day, it was just a Grade 3 race, mainly because in fact, the top CA handicap horses
did go east for those races at Belmont (eg John Henry, Lemhi Gold, Turkoman, Bates Motel, Exceller, Cougar II, Island Whirl, Precisionist, Crystal Water, Ancient Title, Jaklin Klugman, Gate Dancer, etc.).
It also probably helped that Del Mar had no marquee handicap at the time either, with just a Grade 3 (the Cabrillo) standing in place of what would become the Pacific Classic. CA Handicap horses didn't have much to do at home beyond the Hollywood Gold Cup in June.