Quote:
Originally Posted by NTamm1215
I'm still a little baffled by Colonial's decision to switch the conditions of this race. The last two editions of the 3YO restricted Colonial Turf Cup were won by horses who came back to win the Virginia Derby, one of whom won the Secretariat (Paddy O' Prado). English Channel and Showing Up were both Colonial Turf Cup winners. Now they're turned it into a Grade IV 3YO and Up race that's 7 days after the Manhattan and 6 days after the Monmouth Stakes.
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I really wonder what their reasoning was. Perhaps they viewed your point about the double in the opposite way, ie since both 3yo races were often being won by the same horse, it was redundant to keep both races. Or perhaps they figured if they could lure top 3yo turf runners with a big purse, they could also draw top older horses.
Of course, the difference is that there aren't major 3yo turf races really (other than the Secretariat and perhaps the Hollywood Derby), while there is a plethora of major races for 4yos and up.
Wasn't there a money bonus tied into winning the Secretariat, too?