Breeders' Cup Going for Grade 1's Again

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Then I guess there should be no 2YO Grade 1 races anymore ( save perhaps the BC ) as there are few early NW1X races anymore for 2YOs and most of these races are won by maiden breakers.

I'm not necessarily saying that. I have no problem with races like the Hopeful, Del Mar Futurity and Champagne having grade I status. Whether populated by maiden-breakers or not, these races typically draw the "best" maiden-breakers of the lot (i.e., Maimonides and Majestic Warrior this year, and horses like Sky Mesa in the past) and are often "championship-type" races, while the "second-tier" maiden breakers often go elsewhere for a softer spot (Sapling, Futurity). I think there is a big difference between the analysis needed for a 2YO stakes race and that for a mid-summer race for
3YOs, of either gender.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

I'm not necessarily saying that. I have no problem with races like the Hopeful, Del Mar Futurity and Champagne having grade I status. Whether populated by maiden-breakers or not, these races typically draw the "best" maiden-breakers of the lot (i.e., Maimonides and Majestic Warrior this year, and horses like Sky Mesa in the past) and are often "championship-type" races, while the "second-tier" maiden breakers often go elsewhere for a softer spot (Sapling, Futurity). I think there is a big difference between the analysis needed for a 2YO stakes race and that for a mid-summer race for
3YOs, of either gender.

I know you weren't saying that....sorry. I was just more trying to point out that stakes have replaced allowance races in many divisions.