2/18 (OP) Southwest Stakes

[Oaklawnfan]

While it only seems logical that the Arkansas Derby should receive Grade I status, I am not optimistic the powers that be will let that happen anytime soon.

[Danzig]

read the article in todays paper about the day yesterday. oaklawn had a very nice crowd there. sounds like it was a good day.
unless you're calvin borel!

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by Oaklawnfan

While it only seems logical that the Arkansas Derby should receive Grade I status, I am not optimistic the powers that be will let that happen anytime soon.

Exactly. It's only logical that the Arkansas Derby should be on equal standing with the TC races.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

Exactly. It's only logical that the Arkansas Derby should be on equal standing with the TC races.

How about on equal footing with the Wood Memorial at least?

Let's run through the list of winners since '04... Tapit, Bellamy Road, Bob and John, Nobiz... a combined ZERO TC board finishes and a grand total of what, 1 dirt win after that?

Arkansas Derby in the same stretch... Smarty Jones (2 TC victories and a 2nd), Afleet Alex (2 TC victories and a 3rd), Lawyer Ron (no TC success but several graded stakes victories since), Curlin (1 TC victory, 1 2nd, 1 3rd, a JCGC, BCC, and HOY)

I think that says enough.

Keep in mind, KG, this coming from a hardcore New Yorker.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by philcski

How about on equal footing with the Wood Memorial at least?

Let's run through the list of winners since '04... Tapit, Bellamy Road, Bob and John, Nobiz... a combined ZERO TC board finishes and a grand total of what, 1 dirt win after that?

Arkansas Derby in the same stretch... Smarty Jones (2 TC victories and a 2nd), Afleet Alex (2 TC victories and a 3rd), Lawyer Ron (no TC success but several graded stakes victories since), Curlin (1 TC victory, 1 2nd, 1 3rd, a JCGC, BCC, and HOY)

I think that says enough.

Keep in mind, KG, this coming from a hardcore New Yorker.

1000% agree that it deserves to be on equal footing with the Wood. Same with the Florida Derby, Blue Grass, and SA Derby. My issue is more with any of them being grade ones in the first place. I don't feel like preps should be on equal footing with the main event, rating wise.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

1000% agree that it deserves to be on equal footing with the Wood. Same with the Florida Derby, Blue Grass, and SA Derby. My issue is more with any of them being grade ones in the first place. I don't feel like preps should be on equal footing with the main event, rating wise.

altho others are grade ones, only the derby, preakness and belmont are referred to as 'the classics'. everyone knows winning the gr 1 fla derby is not on par with winning one of the gr 1 classics.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by Danzig

altho others are grade ones, only the derby, preakness and belmont are referred to as 'the classics'. everyone knows winning the gr 1 fla derby is not on par with winning one of the gr 1 classics.

If everyone knows it, then it shouldn't be the same grade. IMO, the only grade one races for 3yo's should be the TC races, the Haskell, the Travers, the Super Derby, the King's Bishop, and the Secretariat.

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

IMO, the only grade one races for 3yo's should be the TC races, the Haskell, the Travers, the Super Derby, the King's Bishop, and the Secretariat.

I obviously am extremely biased in this case, however, I don't think the Super Derby is quite ready to return to grade one status. Early this decade the race had a few runnings that hurt its points, but lately, we've done okay:

- Lawyer Ron (Second in '06... lots of points)
- Grasshopper (Mineshaft winner... lots of potential)

If we get a good chunk of points out of Grasshopper this year, the race is in much better shape.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

If everyone knows it, then it shouldn't be the same grade. IMO, the only grade one races for 3yo's should be the TC races, the Haskell, the Travers, the Super Derby, the King's Bishop, and the Secretariat.

there are plenty of races that aren't on par with others in the same grade, whether a 1,2 or 3.
but if the fla derby can be a gr 1, then the ark derby should be as well, especially considering the type of horses who have been running there the last few years. certainly has left more of a mark recently then the bluegrass.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

Exactly. It's only logical that the Arkansas Derby should be on equal standing with the TC races.

should be on equal footing with the fla derby, the only other prep with a million dollar purse.