Thanks Steve. I actually like the rotational idea you noted amongst similar conditioned races in the same region but that's likely not going to happen as you pointed out because of the breeders want as many possibilities to acquire 'easy' black type, especially grade 1.
The Ruffian was a prime example. Here's a claiming horse that was wobbling coming home and she's now got that grade 1 route win on her catalogue page (sneaky good ride by castellano given weak field to play come and get me). Arguably one of the worst grade 1 winners recently as evinced by being 18-1 in that light field. If delaware and saratoga went into a rotation that could have made for a full field that combined the Delcap and Ruffian fields, plus maybe some others if opportunities for type were fewer and farther between. I hope the graded stakes committee looks as this race hard for it retaining its ranking.
|