Race Discrimination

You have to remember the tracks own the races. You just cant move the Stephen Foster to Delaware, or the Whitney to Meadowlands. The tracks NYRA owns all the races. Some of the races have been run for decades. But I do have a problem with the Grading System. To me it should be about money

Grade I - $750k and up
Grade II - $250k - $749k
Grade III - $100 - $249k

[jpops757]

The biggest "Joke" of a graded stakes win is any2yr old race of less than 6f. I wouldnt be opposed if the only gradedn stakes for 2yr olds being the BC. Some realy bogus black type for 2yrolds.

[sumitas]

As for non-graded stakes didn't i read recently that the NTRA requires a minimum of $50,000 purse in order to qualify as a stakes ? they are trying to eliminate the questionable black type in pedigrees.

Originally Posted by jpops757

The biggest "Joke" of a graded stakes win is any2yr old race of less than 6f. I wouldnt be opposed if the only gradedn stakes for 2yr olds being the BC. Some realy bogus black type for 2yrolds.

2YO stakes are graded in the same way all other stakes are ... after the fact.

That's the great flaw in the grading system ... a race run in 2006 is given a grade based on the quality of the horses who ran in it from 2000-2005.

That grading has nothing whatsoever to do with the horses who are running in this year's race.

That's why I always refer to "G2 horses" ... and not "G2 races" ... because there can be ... and often is ... a great deal of difference between those two terms.

[Danzig]

well obviously a place like saratoga will have more graded races. the committee takes a variety of things into consideration every year when they meet and decide stakes grading. every year some get graded, some move down, some lose status altogether. the oaklawn handicap for instance is now gr 2--due mainly to the fact that the race lately hasn't drawn horses like in the old days, such as when cigar ran. also, the ark derby is a million dollar purse, but til lately, it hasn't drawn a top field. of course it just moved up to a million, but with recent showings by smarty and alex, it's bound to move up.
it's not just the purse, it's also the prestige. those that lose their luster eventually lose their status. but no way they will be handed out evenly to tracks. they'll go to those who have the money to add to the purses.