Graded Stakes Downgrades

[welltakethat]

Couldn't find my post re graded stakes downgrades anywhere, perhaps it was posted in the wrong thread grouping, so wanted to repost my thoughts here and get others opinion. I think its a good topic to discuss on ATR, especially with key members of the breeding community potentially, maybe post saratoga. I feel there are way too many graded stakes races and as such too many horses underserving of grade 1 type are acquiring it for their catalogue page. We have to recognize the same quality of horse is not available to support all these graded stakes and make some downgrades. The ruffian stakes, as have been many a female stake at nyra tracks over the last few years, drew a field hardly deserving of a grade 1 label. Especially given the Delcap is a grade 2.

It, in a way, goes along with what Bobby Flay was discussing, in terms of not having a goal to build toward (which was a good interview by the way Steve). If we had true select grade 1 races, where money and prestige were commensurate, we would have the best horses show up for these races 5-7 times a year which gets to the goals or series type of product he discussed. It doesn't have to be one climatic event, just more selective in what we consider and incentify as a grade 1. Perhaps we would not get a field like the one in the Ruffian stakes, which is borderline grade 2 even to me, if we had this sort of select grade 1 series. And if we stagger these events in terms of division and timing the product becomes much more promotable in a television culture looking for prime type events.

Sorry to ramble, just wanted to repost my thoughts since they seemed to have gotten removed and see what others think on the topic. The field draws on some of the historic races are winding up being more of a let down than an excitement driver.

Also, Steve, would it be possible for you to publish some of your rolling pk3 constructions you have been quoting, prerace, so those of us following your plays and handicapping ideas can try to see where your head is at going into a sequence and get to some of these bingos. Its tough going 4x4x4 on a rolling basis for a somewhat smaller bankroll so wanted to see if thats how you were hitting them or if you had a way to pair down and which races you did go skinnier on.