tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560898823512627114.post680298324579812613..comments2024-02-01T00:37:24.768-05:00Comments on PTP: Guest Post: Does the Blue Grass Deserve Gr I Status?Pull the Pockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082676049275768769noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560898823512627114.post-21262790766814562782011-04-22T22:04:51.708-04:002011-04-22T22:04:51.708-04:00it was a glorified grade 3 grass race. Demote it!it was a glorified grade 3 grass race. Demote it!@SpotPlayshttp://www.spotplays.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560898823512627114.post-90927469417359460612011-04-18T10:03:28.922-04:002011-04-18T10:03:28.922-04:00"So, out of 15 placegetters in the Derby sinc..."So, out of 15 placegetters in the Derby since polytrack was installed at Keeneland, four or roughly 30 per cent have come out of the BG?"<br /><br />Incorrect. Of all of the horses to have contested the Blue Grass since 2007, only Paddy O'Prado and Street Sense finished in the money in the Derby.<br /><br />More importantly, as I mentioned in the post, only four horses in total could be considered true Grade I performers. An average of one such horse per race, per year, is simply not enough for the race to warrant Grade I status.<br /><br />I see no reason to check the other races that you mention, but for some perspective, consider this:<br /><br />In the four runnings prior to Polytrack (2003-6), there were at least 11 horses which won or placed in Grade I races before or after contesting the Blue Grass. <br /><br />That's the difference between a true Grade I race, and what passes for one now.Tinkynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560898823512627114.post-41196346335204912332011-04-18T08:51:14.674-04:002011-04-18T08:51:14.674-04:00So, out of 15 placegetters in the Derby since poly...So, out of 15 placegetters in the Derby since polytrack was installed at Keeneland, four or roughly 30 per cent have come out of the BG? It might be meaningful if you posted comparable statistics from other lead up races over the same period, say the Wood Memorial, Florida, Santa Anita and Arkansas Derbies etc. How do they stack up?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560898823512627114.post-63612156710086360932011-04-17T23:14:38.347-04:002011-04-17T23:14:38.347-04:00"This race deserves time to see where it fits..."This race deserves time to see where it fits"<br /><br />Phil – <br /><br />That's fine as far as your opinion goes, but it is decidedly NOT how the Graded Stakes Committee is supposed to approach the question of which Grade to assign.Tinkynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560898823512627114.post-80931526572682193712011-04-17T22:55:21.547-04:002011-04-17T22:55:21.547-04:00There is a change in the BG due to being on poly a...There is a change in the BG due to being on poly and still being considered a Derby prep. You have an odd mix of horses that compete in it and seeing it is early it is finding itself. Seeing the way a huge number of Gr I's are going of late the BG is one on a long, long list. This race deserves time to see where it fits.<br /><br />PhilAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560898823512627114.post-30582802724935675762011-04-17T22:47:53.866-04:002011-04-17T22:47:53.866-04:00I recited Monba and General Quarters as previous p...I recited Monba and General Quarters as previous polytrack winners. <br /><br />But I did my homework on that last week knowing that this year's edition would produce more Bluegrass nonsense. And it did.The_Knight_Skyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13497100877439699363noreply@blogger.com