TOBA released their changes to the U.S. stakes schedule today. There were some interesting changes up top that made sense but may ruffle a lot of feathers.
I’m glad to see things get shaken up a bit. I think it’s ironic that the Bluegrass didn’t lose its G1 when it was on polytrack, but has been demoted now that it’s back on dirt.
I’d be interested to see their numbers of the Blue Grass in the poly years vs. the last five years. I agree with it being downgraded but have been surprised for a while that it hadn’t been.
surprised to see the wood and the mother goose downgraded.
If it were up to me, the KY Derby would be the first G1 of the 3yo season.
[QUOTE=Drvmb1ggl3;8958605]
If it were up to me, the KY Derby would be the first G1 of the 3yo season.[/QUOTE]
I kind of agree. Other than perhaps the Breeders Cup Juv. I don’t think there should be any G-1 races for 2 year olds. A lot of G-1 two year olds have not gone on to do much as 3 year olds. Quite a few over the years were retired at the end or not long into their 3 year old season. Especially fillies.
I think perhaps prize money should increase month by month. The most being offered in the late summer and fall.
The Graded/Group Pattern system was developed for sales and breeding purposes. 2 year old G-1 winners that only beat mostly “none winners other than” IMO are not truly “Grade 1” horses, elite horses.
But people sure pay a lot of money for them for breeding stock when they have that magical G1 under their belt. Even if there were only 4-5 horses in the race most of which either were also rans in a stake and or had only broken their maiden.
gumtree, thanks for your insight. I was surprised at some of the stakes that got bumped up and also dropped down but always like hearing the insights from people that really have been in the industry rather that just watch it from the outside, like myself 
[QUOTE=Drvmb1ggl3;8958605]
If it were up to me, the KY Derby would be the first G1 of the 3yo season.[/QUOTE]
You aren’t the only one that thinks that. A decent amount of people in and out of the industry have said that. It’d probably encourage the 2yo/early 3yo wonders to just take time off and come back (assuming they have injuries) instead of hustle to the shed on their 2yo accomplishments at least.
[QUOTE=snaffle1987;8958175]
surprised to see the wood and the mother goose downgraded.[/QUOTE]
Me too. With no justification given.
Cleaning house is what Bill Finley suggests. I know from surfing the www that the international industry would be pleased.
http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/oped-toba-did-what-needed-to-be-done/
Of course, if you surf the turf enough you can find any number of reasonable explanations why these old racing standards made the cut.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/218136/changing-schedules-impacted-wood-blue-grass
