AGSC elevates Fourstardave to G1, ups 8 to G3's

[Soaring Softly]

There goes the last GI Turf race at over a mile for open company in California. The only ones left are at the mile distance or are restricted to 3yos.

I understand the reasons for it, but I still find it sad.

[Soaring Softly]

Originally Posted by Soaring Softly

The only ones left are at the mile distance or are restricted to 3yos.

I forgot......the Rodeo Drive (what an awful name) at 10 furlongs for fillies & mares. But the fact remains that the Kilroe and Shoemaker Miles are the ONLY GI turf races remaining in California for open company. The Rodeo Drive and Matriarch are for 3&up but restricted to females, and the Del Mar Oaks, American Oaks, and Hollywood Derby are all, of course, restricted to 3yos


As far as the PA Derby is concerned, I don't think that the AGSC is particularly interested in giving a GI upgrade to a 3yo dirt race run in September. I may be wrong, but I think the Travers in late August is the last GI dirt race for 3yos on the national calendar. There IS the Malibu at Santa Anita, but that one is a whole different thing.....being run at 7 furlongs some 6 days before the turn of the year.

After the Travers, the good 3yo dirt horses are expected to step up and face their elders, and making the PA Derby a GI race just gives them another reason (after the $1M purse) not to.