2011 Graded Stakes: All Hail the BC

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by pweizer

It may be a good idea (I am not so sure) but there is absolutely no possible way that based on the three runnings to date that they have ever assembled a grade 2 field nor are the prospects any better for any quality starters with this new grading. It is just silly.

Paul

I do think it's a good idea... it's not going to change the world, but it's something.

As for the grading... don't get me started on the grading process. A lot of grades out there don't make a lot of sense...

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

I do think it's a good idea... it's not going to change the world, but it's something.

As for the grading... don't get me started on the grading process. A lot of grades out there don't make a lot of sense...

I have no issue with distance racing. But there is no structure in American racing to support a marathon division. Until tracks are willing to write longer races and let them go with short fields there never will be an semblence of a marathon division.

The majority of tracks have a hard time filling maiden or allowance races longer than 1 1/16th on the dirt. You cant "grow" legit stakes horses without a solid base of races to develop in. Until the tracks are willing to use short fields then you simply wont get much horseman participation because most guys are too unfamilar with training horses to go longer distances and there arent that many American dirt pedigrees that want 1 1/2 and further. What will make them try is short fields. There won't be many of them to start with but unless they start at the lower levels, the marathon will simply continue to be filled with 2nd raters as Drugs said.

How that race was elevated after the three decidely subpar runnings is a mystery.