6/16 (CNL): Colonial Turf Cup, All Along (G3), Da Hoss S.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

I'm still a little baffled by Colonial's decision to switch the conditions of this race. The last two editions of the 3YO restricted Colonial Turf Cup were won by horses who came back to win the Virginia Derby, one of whom won the Secretariat (Paddy O' Prado). English Channel and Showing Up were both Colonial Turf Cup winners. Now they're turned it into a Grade IV 3YO and Up race that's 7 days after the Manhattan and 6 days after the Monmouth Stakes.

I really wonder what their reasoning was. Perhaps they viewed your point about the double in the opposite way, ie since both 3yo races were often being won by the same horse, it was redundant to keep both races. Or perhaps they figured if they could lure top 3yo turf runners with a big purse, they could also draw top older horses.

Of course, the difference is that there aren't major 3yo turf races really (other than the Secretariat and perhaps the Hollywood Derby), while there is a plethora of major races for 4yos and up.

Wasn't there a money bonus tied into winning the Secretariat, too?

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

I really wonder what their reasoning was. Perhaps they viewed your point about the double in the opposite way, ie since both 3yo races were often being won by the same horse, it was redundant to keep both races. Or perhaps they figured if they could lure top 3yo turf runners with a big purse, they could also draw top older horses.

Of course, the difference is that there aren't major 3yo turf races really (other than the Secretariat and perhaps the Hollywood Derby), while there is a plethora of major races for 4yos and up.

Wasn't there a money bonus tied into winning the Secretariat, too?

There was initially a bonus linking the Turf Cup-Va Derby-Secretariat-BC Turf. It was gone by the time Paddy O'Prado won the first three.

The mistake they made is that they're basically never going to get Grade I caliber horses anymore. Grade I caliber horses are going to run in the Manhattan or Monmouth Stakes. They were consistently getting Grade I caliber horses when it was restricted to 3YOs.

They'll also give out 650k in these three stakes races and probably handle less than that. I hope, for their sake, that they stay the hell away from CD in terms of post times.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

There was initially a bonus linking the Turf Cup-Va Derby-Secretariat-BC Turf. It was gone by the time Paddy O'Prado won the first three.

The mistake they made is that they're basically never going to get Grade I caliber horses anymore. Grade I caliber horses are going to run in the Manhattan or Monmouth Stakes. They were consistently getting Grade I caliber horses when it was restricted to 3YOs.

They'll also give out 650k in these three stakes races and probably handle less than that. I hope, for their sake, that they stay the hell away from CD in terms of post times.

Have you been to Colonial? At this point I feel like they are just throwing anything at the wall and hoping it sticks. Though I completely agree with you that this was the wrong move.

Action Andy is a fun little horse, I'm glad he'll be running here again.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Action Andy is a fun little horse, I'm glad he'll be running here again.

Nice!

Rahystrada was 3rd in the Cup. He could have been last... I'd still be a big fan.

Cool old guy.

[GPK]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

I really wonder what their reasoning was. Perhaps they viewed your point about the double in the opposite way, ie since both 3yo races were often being won by the same horse, it was redundant to keep both races. Or perhaps they figured if they could lure top 3yo turf runners with a big purse, they could also draw top older horses.

Of course, the difference is that there aren't major 3yo turf races really (other than the Secretariat and perhaps the Hollywood Derby), while there is a plethora of major races for 4yos and up.

Wasn't there a money bonus tied into winning the Secretariat, too?

Edit: Nick posted the Grand Slam of Grass races