2009 Graded Stakes

blackthroatedwind · #1 11-25-2008, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

You at least had two before with the Suburban and the JCGC. Just strange that the Classic distance for males is thought of as being 10 furlongs and for females 9 furlongs yet you have more 3yo filly races at 10 furlongs on the dirt than the supposed Classic division. This just keeps producing further and further incentive to not bring back a top 3yo.

That's only because of polytrack. And while I understand what you are saying....you are also being intentionally misleading.

SniperSB23 · #2 11-25-2008, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

That's only because of polytrack. And while I understand what you are saying....you are also being intentionally misleading.

Even in 2010 when the BC Classic is back on dirt there will still only be two which is pathetic. They've determined that the BC Dirt Mile is now important enough to be a G1 while the Suburban fricken Handicap isn't. That is a TERRIBLE trend for this sport. All the talk of adding the Marathon division to try and get stamina back in the game, and of increasing purses to lure top 3yos back for a 4yo season and instead this is the crap we get.

philcski · #3 11-25-2008, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

Even in 2010 when the BC Classic is back on dirt there will still only be two which is pathetic. They've determined that the BC Dirt Mile is now important enough to be a G1 while the Suburban fricken Handicap isn't. That is a TERRIBLE trend for this sport. All the talk of adding the Marathon division to try and get stamina back in the game, and of increasing purses to lure top 3yos back for a 4yo season and instead this is the crap we get.

Frost Giant won the Suburban this year... and PG loves him. That is probably enough to downgrade it on it's own!

SniperSB23 · #4 11-25-2008, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philcski

Frost Giant won the Suburban this year... and PG loves him. That is probably enough to downgrade it on it's own!

It's based on the last three years. Can you really say the Suburban with Frost Giant, Political Force, and Invasor is any worse than the Stephen Foster with Curlin, Flashy Bull, and Seek Gold? That one should be a G1 and the other shouldn't? Really, they should both be G1s and the Foster should be moved to Derby weekend where there is a hole in the calendar.

philcski · #5 11-25-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

It's based on the last three years. Can you really say the Suburban with Frost Giant, Political Force, and Invasor is any worse than the Stephen Foster with Curlin, Flashy Bull, and Seek Gold? That one should be a G1 and the other shouldn't?

how about vs. the Clark, with AP Arrow, Premium Tap, Magna Grad, and Saint Liam, which is a G2?

SniperSB23 · #6 11-25-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philcski

how about vs. the Clark, with AP Arrow, Premium Tap, Magna Grad, and Saint Liam, which is a G2?

I wouldn't have a problem with the Clark returning to a G1 ahead of some of these other races. The fact is, we need races that give a reason for owners to bring their top 3yos back. Downgrading the races in the older male division is just providing even less incentive. In just two years we've seen the Pimlico Special lost as a G1, the Mass Cap lost as a G2, and both the Suburban and Clark dropped from G1 to G2 while to counterbalance only the Goodwood on cushion crap has gone to G1. How is that helping provide incentive to bring back a good horse?

Travis Stone · #7 11-25-2008, 04:38 PM

Horse racing is probably the only sport which rates their events before the participants are known or the event is held.

Linny · #8 11-25-2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philcski

how about vs. the Clark, with AP Arrow, Premium Tap, Magna Grad, and Saint Liam, which is a G2?

The Clark was upgraded for exactly 1 year and downgraded the next season. Strange. This year's Clark (G2) is better than the Cigar Mile (G1) so one yearobviously doesn't make or break a race.

blackthroatedwind · #9 11-25-2008, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linny

The Clark was upgraded for exactly 1 year and downgraded the next season. Strange. This year's Clark (G2) is better than the Cigar Mile (G1) so one yearobviously doesn't make or break a race.

It is?

It has Commentator and a bunch of relative dreck. Now, I understand what you are sort of saying about the Cigar, but on overall quality, it is a MUCH better race.

I do find the upgrade and then immediate downgrade, especially in that Premium Tap won it, to have been pretty strange.