Quote:
Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind
The Gradings system is far from perfect, and there are many races that deserve reevaluation, but considering it is the only 6F Grade 1 for this division, I think it's grading is relatively warranted, if not moreso. What about the slew of synthetic races that got their Gradings when they were dirt races? Is the Spinster a better Grade 1, or worse, than the Prioress, since the switch in surfaces?
Simply put, you can't fairly cherry pick. The discussion needs to be had in its entirety. I am not saying I am against a serious regrading of US races. But, this race always draws these kinds of comments, and they are not as defendable as it may seem on the surface, and the Grading is far more justifiable than any number of annual races.
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Before disagreeing with you on the grading of the Prioress, just wanted to say that the MSG show for the race on Monday was excellent. The new pair of Maggie Wolfendale and Mig brought a lot to the telecast, and your analysis of the race was spot on. Looking forward to this week's Man 'O War telecast.
I get the argument about relative merits, but if you compare the depth of the Prioress to races like the Test or the La Brea (the other grade I sprints for 3YO fillies), the Prioress annually seems to come up short of those two. Perhaps this is unfair, but the Prioress is more often like a prep for the Test than an "end" in itself, and I'm dubious of preps being Grade Is (i.e., when they made the Fountain of Youth a Grade I for a short period of time a few years ago even though it's a prep for the Florida Derby). Not that this year is the best example, but the other thing that has hurt the Prioress in many years is its close proximity to the Azalea at Calder. Both races feed the Test nicely, but they also dilute each other.