Five New Grade I Races in 2007; Two Others Drop to Grade II

Originally Posted by eurobounce

I agree that the Breeders Cup weakens the racing year long. However, increasing purses to Grade I's is not the answer. Reducing the number of Grade I races is the key to spur competition in these races. Then you have to take these Grade I races and spread them throughout the year. Then you will have a horse in training all year long. Most trainers like to get 2 or 3 races into their horse before the Grade I event. If you have 3 Grade I's then each trainers wants to get 2 or 3 preps, then those horses are racing anywhere from 6-9 times per year which I am fine with because it is all year long. In addition, it will increase the field for each Grade I race.

No see, it wont.
What it will do is give owners even more limited opportunities to make money and send em all out of the game. All grade ones will be run as 14 horse fields with two betting interests. Coolmore/Pletcher and Goldolphin/Shadwell.
The only money in this game as it is is on the back end in the shed. You take away the chances at grade one status and you could pretty much kiss 50% of the players in the game goodbye. They might love the game and be willing to lose some cash to chase a dream, but they won't be willing to lose that much to chase a fantasy. Big difference there.
Like I said, you don't understand the business.