Arkansas Derby now G1! Clark & Vandy too..

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by johnny pinwheel

its alright but the "Go for wand" got downgraded and the last five winners are: seventh street, ginger punch (twice in a row), spun sugar, ashado and azeri. yet the pacific classic retains grade 1 status with recent winners: richards kid, go between and student council, these things are a joke.

Aw poor Go Between. RIP.

Confused about the downgrading for the Go For Wand. How do the Pimlico folks feel about the Miss Preakness downgrade? Are they happy that's less of a purse requirement to deal with (every other year they seem to chuck the Pimlico Special in the name of saving $$ only to bring it back so it doesn't get ungraded) or are they miffed to lose a graded stake?

After reading that article where the folks at Sunland Park were crossing their fingers for grading, gotta say I was rooting for them a bit. I just imagined how I'd feel in their situation, what can I say? I love how there's been begging and personal visits and everything short of a kitchen sink thrown at the Committee and then the year they decide to stay home and see if that helps, well there ya go.

[10 pnt move up]

I wonder if some of the downgrades were actually requested by the track due to purse minimums.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

Aw poor Go Between. RIP.

Confused about the downgrading for the Go For Wand. How do the Pimlico folks feel about the Miss Preakness downgrade? Are they happy that's less of a purse requirement to deal with (every other year they seem to chuck the Pimlico Special in the name of saving $$ only to bring it back so it doesn't get ungraded) or are they miffed to lose a graded stake?

After reading that article where the folks at Sunland Park were crossing their fingers for grading, gotta say I was rooting for them a bit. I just imagined how I'd feel in their situation, what can I say? I love how there's been begging and personal visits and everything short of a kitchen sink thrown at the Committee and then the year they decide to stay home and see if that helps, well there ya go.

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

I wonder if some of the downgrades were actually requested by the track due to purse minimums.

Miss Preakness purse was paid for by Adena Springs (at least in part), but I can't see any track being happy about a downgrade- although the point about saving money may be beneficial to some tracks. Seems like Cali had a few that you wouldn't expect.