Arkansas Derby now G1! Clark & Vandy too..

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by johnny pinwheel

its alright but the "Go for wand" got downgraded and the last five winners are: seventh street, ginger punch (twice in a row), spun sugar, ashado and azeri. yet the pacific classic retains grade 1 status with recent winners: richards kid, go between and student council, these things are a joke.

Aw poor Go Between. RIP.

Confused about the downgrading for the Go For Wand. How do the Pimlico folks feel about the Miss Preakness downgrade? Are they happy that's less of a purse requirement to deal with (every other year they seem to chuck the Pimlico Special in the name of saving $$ only to bring it back so it doesn't get ungraded) or are they miffed to lose a graded stake?

After reading that article where the folks at Sunland Park were crossing their fingers for grading, gotta say I was rooting for them a bit. I just imagined how I'd feel in their situation, what can I say? I love how there's been begging and personal visits and everything short of a kitchen sink thrown at the Committee and then the year they decide to stay home and see if that helps, well there ya go.