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

Originally Posted by eurobounce

Well I think that history should play a role in deciding if a race is a Grade I or not when you are looking at races with a lengthy history of being a Grade I. This is why I am a little upset about the Matron being downgraded. But there is no reason under the sun why the Arkansas Derby is not a Grade I race.

You are kidding right?
If thats the case then you have a whole bucnch of stakes in NY that have been downgraded that have richer histories than 90% of the current grade ones.
Check out the history of the fall highweight handicap. Its no longer even a grade 3!!!
History has no place in what should be greated.
Races evolve and take on different meaning and stature.
Its nonsense to think that what happened in 1940 means anything today.