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Originally Posted by tjfrab
The real racing begins this weekend at Keenland vs. that 4 to 6 horse stakes field nonsense that Belmont has been putting out. Amazing that the horsemen don't support that stakes program more. I haven't been listening to the show this week but hopefully that meet gets the attention it deserves.
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What I find interesting is the title of your thread. There is absolutely no argument with any assertion that, in terms of finding bigger payoffs, these Stakes at Keeneland dwarf the ones run at Belmont last weekend. This is a given. But, in terms of Championship caliber, Keeneland isn't even in the discussion, for the most part, with their races this weekend, while Belmont was a virtual parade of stars. The reason for this is obvious, the surface at Keeneland makes the races a crapshoot, and thus creates a great evening out factor for the horses, and smartly their connections are trying to earn an otherwise unattainable Grade 1. Take today's Alcibaides and compare it to tomorrow's Frizette. Obviously the Alcibiades presents a more appealing puzzle with virtually guaranteed superior payoffs/rewards. However, what it also presents is a field of much lower quality, as there are two horses, at least, in the Frizette that, forgetting about surface, would be dramatic favorites over anyone running in the Alcibiades. In fact, the connections And Why Not even changed their Frizette plans, in order to run in the much larger field at Keeneland, and surely this was because, bigger or not, the field presented far easier mountains to climb.
I reviewed your brief posting history, and was somewhat surprised to find your few posts thoughtful and knowledgable. I also came upon this post of yours....
Quote:
Originally Posted by tjfrab
Great point on the Ruffian....But you say barely a Grade 2?? That Ruffian doesn't even deserve a grading. Not sure whether this race or the Phipps in June was the bigger disaster. Amazing that the listed stakes horse trained by Jones (who should have stayed retired) is a 2-1 favorite in a grade 1 at the Spa. If the horsemen aren't going to support the graded stakes program, then these races should be downgraded. Understood the horses just aren't out there to fill all these races....But then the grade 1 status needs to be more dynamic and adjusted when these races draw so terribly.
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Assuming we accept this as truth, and while I somewhat disagree, I wouldn't argue there are surely merits to your points, my question to you is why you don't hold the Keeneland Stakes races under the same microscope. Surely you must recognize that, in terms of talent, few ( if any ) Keeneland Stakes run on polytrack continue to deserve the same Gradings they were given when these races were run on dirt? This is not to say they aren't entertaining and, possibly, great betting races...but are many of these races that deserve Grade 1 ratings...especially as representatives of the dirt division?
But, you called them " the real championship " races. Surely, given the quality of your posting history, you realize this is frequently the opposite of the truth.