2009 Graded Stakes

[Alan07]

When are they announced?

[Bigsmc]

They were meeting yesterday. I'm not sure when they will announce, but it will be soon.

[Dr. Watson]

I hope they make the sunshine millions sprint at least a grade 2 this time! it gets such a good field every year and they never make it graded.

[blackthroatedwind]

Races restricted to State Breds can't be rated.

[Rudeboyelvis]

They've upped the Sam F. Davis to 200K and give the importance of the race over the past few years I'd like to believe that they would see their way to giving it a G3 this year.

[Linny]

With the inability to run 1 1/16 mi races at GP, the Davis has become a more significant race. It probably should be considered for a G3.

I'd have to sit down with this years calendar to come up with others.

[Oaklawnfan]

Does anyone think there's a chance in h*ll the Arkansas Derby will ever get a Grade I status?

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by Oaklawnfan

Does anyone think there's a chance in h*ll the Arkansas Derby will ever get a Grade I status?

Yes. No real reason to rate it inferior to the other major preps. Either make them all G2 or move the Arkansas Derby up to G1.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by Oaklawnfan

Does anyone think there's a chance in h*ll the Arkansas Derby will ever get a Grade I status?

Wasn't it a Grade I for about one or two years a few years ago?

I know this is probably a minority opinion, but the Arkansas Derby doesn't deserve Grade I status. Yes, it has had an impressive list of winners in the past few years, but the overall quality of its fields has been rather mediocre, and that's what the grade should reflect.