NEW BC races will NOT be G1!!!???

[NTamm1215]

Don't all new stakes races have to be run three times before they're graded?

American Oaks at Hollywood was run thrice before it was given a G1. The Virginia Derby at Colonial has attracted a top flight field almost every year and goes for 1 mil yet is a G2.

NT

[Linny]

Yes, but the BC races were G1 from the start. When they added the F/M Turf, it was a G1 from the get go. It seems odd to run a raced with the word "Championship" in the title but that is ungraded.

[NTamm1215]

Maybe the graded stakes committee would be nauseated putting a Grade I on a race going a mile and 70 yards.

NT

[Linny]

"All 10 members of the graded stakes committee attended the meeting either in person or via telephone, and the decision to reject grade I status was unanimous for all three races. "


This is the final paragraph. It sounds like the Committee as issued a pretty strong rebuke to the Breeders' Cup regarding it's expansion plans. I must say that w/ the exception of possibly a F/M Sprint, I agree. In fact, I agree with the editorial on the main page of Derby Trail. Steve is spot-on.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by Linny

"All 10 members of the graded stakes committee attended the meeting either in person or via telephone, and the decision to reject grade I status was unanimous for all three races. "


This is the final paragraph. It sounds like the Committee as issued a pretty strong rebuke to the Breeders' Cup regarding it's expansion plans. I must say that w/ the exception of possibly a F/M Sprint, I agree. In fact, I agree with the editorial on the main page of Derby Trail. Steve is spot-on.

Yeah, I just read the article and I agree with the reasoning used by the committee. Like you, I think the F/M Sprint deserved it. We already have the Humana Distaff, A Gleam, Ballerina, Princess Rooney, and more that are G1F/M sprints. It'll probably get a grade 1 next year I bet.

NT

[paisjpq]

it's great that they just sort-of seemed to assume that since they were calling them breeder's cup championship races that they could go to the head of the line and get G1 status immediately...good job by the stakes committee IMO.

[SniperSB23]

That is great, these races could be a very good addition if they wind up G2s. As G1s there will be a lot more cannibilizing of the normal BC races. The FM Sprint is the only one that ultimately might deserve G1 status.

[blackthroatedwind]

Good to see the arrogant, and out of touch, NTRA/BC get a deserved slap down. This was a poorly conceived and bad idea that is being shoved down everyones' throats. Finally somebody in racing gets something right...albeit this was a no-brainer.

We're just 2-4 years away from having a 5 horse breeders cup race. Hooray.