Could this happen?

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

There is a governing body that decides whether or not a stakes race will be graded and what the grading will be. And when it comes to breeding, graded stakes wins and placings are what is important. If a track decided to have a race to compete with the Preakness and Belmont, it is unlikely that those races would be given graded stakes accreditation. Without graded stakes accreditation, the best horses are not going to run.

I would say that the scenario you asked about is extremely unlikely to happen.

With good enough fields, the race would eventually become graded. I don't think it matters much to people what a race's grade is once they reach a certain level. The first thought that came to my mind was the race they put together in 1990 at Arlington to get Sunday Silence, Easy Goer, and Criminal Type together.

[King Glorious]

Or what about the inaugural running of the Pacific Classic, won by Best Pal over Twilight Agenda and Unbridled.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

With good enough fields, the race would eventually become graded. I don't think it matters much to people what a race's grade is once they reach a certain level. The first thought that came to my mind was the race they put together in 1990 at Arlington to get Sunday Silence, Easy Goer, and Criminal Type together.

Yes, it could become graded if the fields were really good, but it's kind of a "catch 22". I don't think the fields would be very good because I think owners would rather run in the TC races. But if the purses were huge, there might be strong fields and the race could probably get graded within a few years.

Nothing is impossible. If a track was going to start having $5 million races, that might attract some of the best horses away from the TC. I don't see any track doing that. It wouldn't be profitable.

With regard to Sheikh Mohammed, he already has his big day of racing in March. And as far as I know, I think he is a big fan of the Kentucky Derby and has always wanted to win it. I don't think he would want to do anything that would lessen the prestige of the Ky Derby.

[Linny]

For something like an alternate TC to succeed there would need to be sufficient ill will toward the original. It would require owners and trainers to have cause to demand another path. That doesn't appear to be the case, certain frustrations notwithstanding.