Five New Grade I Races in 2007; Two Others Drop to Grade II

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I can understand the argument that preps shouldn't be Grade 1s, and all these races are preps for the TC, but it doesn't make sense for other preps to be Grade 1s and the Arkansas Derby to be left out. I am guessing there was a dearth of good horses in that race for years and only recently has it had a resurgence and perhaps if it is strong again this year they will change it.

Personally I couldn't care less....though if a turf sprint ever becomes a Grade 1 I give up. Grade 1s are at least supposed to be for good horses.

Well why leave out that type of race if you are going to include all the others. Personally, I think there are way too many Grade I races. 107 Grade Races it just way too many. I like your idea of Preps not being a Grade I. However, how would you know that every runner in the so called prep is acutally prepping for another race--does that make sense?

Currently there are 28 Grade I races for straight three year olds. I think this is way too many. I feel that there should be 3 Grade I races for males routing on dirt, 3 Grade I races for females routing on dirt, 2 each for males and females sprinting on dirt, 3 each for female and male turf routers. So a total of 16 Grade I races for three year olds.