2/23 (GP/FG/SA): Turf Routes! GP H./Bayou/Obispo

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Just a horrendous GP Turf Stake..Potentially the worst Grade 1 of the year..

It has the dual distinction of being the worst name for a G1 and the worst field in a G1 just about every year.

[Indian Charlie]

Does anyone have any thoughts on the GP turf stake, other than it being a bad race?

I see it being between einstein, zann and stream of gold. i think shamdinan is a toss.

zann i have questions about the distance, so i suppose i see it as einstein as my top choice and then give the slight nod to stream of gold for the place.

the SA turf race I just can't get a read on at all!

[swedejxn]

like zann... stream 2nd.... the steiner 3rd.... enough pace where steiner wont sneak off with it.... trujillo most underrated jock at GP this meet...good pct but no respect.... when jv and prado are riding...

[CSC]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

It has the dual distinction of being the worst name for a G1 and the worst field in a G1 just about every year.

I agree for the most part, but Jambalaya won this race last year and he went on to win the Arlington Million. That in itself may have kept this race as a grade 1 though I am no expert in how races are regraded yearly.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by CSC

I agree for the most part, but Jambalaya won this race last year and he went on to win the Arlington Million. That in itself may have kept this race as a grade 1 though I am no expert in how races are regraded yearly.

Being so early in the year is probably what has kept it a G1. It draws a weak field at the time but then has 9 months for a horse from that field to go on and win something big and validate the grading. This is actually an above average crew for this race compared to the past several years.

[blackthroatedwind]

I don't have a problem with the argument that the GP race in general shouldn't be a Grade 1 but I think it's a good race this year ( as it was last year ) and I am far more interested in it being a decent betting race than it's inconsequential grading.

Frankly, if they stay sound, I'm not sure there are better turf horses in this country than Shamdinan and Einstein. For the US this is a Grade 1 turf race and the only thing that might spruce up Grade 1s later in the year is the possible inclusion of Euros. How do you think the Turf Classic will look at Belmont in the Fall when it's in direct competition with the $2 Million ( Canadian dollars which could be like twice ours by then ) Canadian International? Of course, save English Channel, it can't be worse than 2007.