San Rafael - Worst G2 ever?

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by smartyalex

Maybe you can help me better understand your point. Did we not have a full Juvenile field this year???? Also, could you be more specific and name all these one / two start "Derby horses"? I agree that the TOBA board who grades the Stakes must be out of their mind. But, I don't think there are too many prep races that it makes the affects the Derby Trail racing fan.

I'm taking Sniper to task with his comment on "worst field ever" Yes, we had a full field in the Juvy...There has been horses in the past with only two starts going into the Derby...and there are too many preps, but I don't understand your last sentence..."affects the Derby trail fan?" explain???

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by Hickory Hill Hoff

I'm taking Sniper to task with his comment on "worst field ever" Yes, we had a full field in the Juvy...There has been horses in the past with only two starts going into the Derby...and there are too many preps, but I don't understand your last sentence..."affects the Derby trail fan?" explain???

This was at best a 90 Beyer and Notional won by 4. This was a Derby prep that will have no impact on the Derby and was a terrible G2. This isn't as good as the ungraded Southwest Stakes will be and nowhere near as good as the G3 Rebel will be. To give this race the same status as the Arkansas Derby, the Fountain of Youth, and the Santa Catalina is just plain silly.

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

This was at best a 90 Beyer and Notional won by 4. This was a Derby prep that will have no impact on the Derby and was a terrible G2. This isn't as good as the ungraded Southwest Stakes will be and nowhere near as good as the G3 Rebel will be. To give this race the same status as the Arkansas Derby, the Fountain of Youth, and the Santa Catalina is just plain silly.

Your right that this race and many other "early" Derby preps will have no impact the "first Saturday in May" and the graded stakes that are listed in California and other states are way out of wack. But, "worst" field I thought was a bit too harsh, but I see where your coming from...I still say there are way too many triple crown preps and this could be the problem and grading them all goes by past winners of the event.

[smartyalex]

Originally Posted by Hickory Hill Hoff

I'm taking Sniper to task with his comment on "worst field ever" Yes, we had a full field in the Juvy...There has been horses in the past with only two starts going into the Derby...and there are too many preps, but I don't understand your last sentence..."affects the Derby trail fan?" explain???

Wow, I must of had one to many Makers last night. Hell, I can't even understand what I meant! OOPS!

It is Jan. The race was for three year olds. Who did you want in this race? Who knows what the horses in this race will do in the future.

[repent]

dont worry about cali and their fields.
they have the miracle of polycrap now(or in the very near future) and we will see nothing but 14 horse fields of Grade 1 animals starting in 2008.

to be fair, its not likely that there are going to be a lot of good sized quality fields for 3Yos 2 weeks into the year.
thats why races like the Lecomte and Spectacular Bid are G3's.

Ive never understood the grading committee's infactuation with the santa anita winter/spring meet.
grade 1, 2, and 3 races every weekend and they all look like the San Rafael did this year.

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by eurobounce

It is Jan. The race was for three year olds. Who did you want in this race? Who knows what the horses in this race will do in the future.

He's right...who cares what the grades are, it's the Derby trail...anything come happen.