Quote:
Originally Posted by tjfrab
I would also think that these types of disappointments are contributing to nearly every facet of the sport continuing to decline. There are too many graded races out there and I believe there are a bunch of downgrades needed. But why downgrade the ones that draw big, competitive fields over the 4 or 5 horse fields we've seen in New York that have 1 or 2 decent horses in each of them. Flower Bowl had 1 top horse. Vosburgh was a good race but I don't think Giant Ryan's a champion horse. Beldame, 2 good horses. Kelso, 2 good horses. Jockey Club Gold Cup, 2 good horses. Turf Classic, 1 top horse.
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I agree that, from a wagering standpoint, the Super Saturday cards that NYRA has put on during the past few years have been disappointing. They have become days where "the sport" is emphasized. I also agree that there are too many graded races and that a bunch of downgrades are in order, but the answer is not downgrading the Grade I races that NYRA runs. With so many choices out there, when the division leaders show up in New York, as they invariably do year after year, the "second tier" horses go elsewhere. (That's not to say that I agree with every move NYRA makes. I was not a fan of moving the Tempted and Nashua, which both produced short fields of questionable quality; at a time where there is a dearth of top horses, I'm not a fan of running the Kelso at a mile on dirt the same weekend you are running the Vosburgh and Jockey Club Gold Cup.)
The Alcibiades and Breeders Futurity were two races that never deserved Grade I status and the switch to Polytrack has only made those grades more questionable. And I say this all as someone who makes a trip to Keeneland each year and generally enjoys the racing that they produce.