Graded Stakes Downgrades

[Cannon Shell]

The breeders want more graded stakes for broodmare pedigree builders far more than stallions. There are thousands of stakes placed/winning mares and their daughters and sisters in service and 90% (at least) of stallions fail. If a colt or gelding were to win a grade 3 it would usually be more impactful to the owners of the dam and the colt/geldings female relatives as opposed to being a stallion resume builder.

Let's not forget that a select few train most of the legitimate graded stakes horses and they "campaign" them to try to build resumes which doesn't always lead to full or even representative fields. As long as the few control the so much of the talent fields will continue to be less than stellar.