Standings

Ok, so I haven't heard back from Google yet about my archives, but really was anybody looking back and poring over old articles like it was some sort of library at Alexandria? Probably not. So let's go over a few things again about why I write this blog, and maybe it will recharge my batteries. Today, I'll just cover an obvious difference about this blog and the TBA in general vs regular racing media: Standings. The standings over there on the left column are an experiment. Every experiment needs a hypothesis: if someone with a valid opinion set down points per graded race, racing would be easier to follow, understand, garner new fans, force fuller fields, all while the sports stars would still be at the top. So, what is a valid opinion? Well the TBA doesn't really have one, so we have made all the Gr I's equal weight whether that be the Blue Grass (Gr I) and the Travers (Gr I) in the same division or the Blue Grass (3yo Colts) and the Matron (2yo Fillies) cross divisional. Do I think the Travers is more important than the Haskell, maybe, but I can't put a number on it, and I believe the only way to change this sport from the outside is to not assume you know more than the people on the inside. So,,, What is the outcome of all this? Well we had Saint Liam as our HOTY last year, but we've also had Ashado (the year of Ghostzapper). But, from a fan's perspective this might not be as bad as it seems. In a race between Ashado and Ghostzapper, GZ would be a 1-9 favorite and win by about 15 under wraps. But, and this is a big BUT: Giving a year long championship to a horse who ran 5 times doesn't ring true in the casual sports fan's ears. Yes, the TBA comes up w/ some different champions (I wouldn't say wrong, as it's someone's opinion). I think a casual sports fan would understand a horse who ran 10 times won Gr I's and the BC a lot more than a horse who ran so little. I also believe the hardcore fans of our sport would be a little surprised at first, but if the points were set down at the beginning of the year, and the rules were in place, they'd be mad at Frankel for not running a healthy horse. The TBA's standings reward horses for entering in the race, i.e. also rans from 4th to 15th get the same amount of points. I believe this would encourage fuller fields. Horses are not machines and can't be counted on to always run a big race, entering should be rewarded. We guard against a champion being named who only "also-ran" in top company by saying that a horse must first "qualify" for the standings by winning a Gr I. I really doubt an owner or trainer would throw a horse to the proverbial wolves just for the sake of points, but the rule is there. If something were to happen the points, rules, all could be adjusted. NASCAR's points aren't perfect either and they continually tinker with them, and the TBA does as well. We've made changes this year, and will do some more next year, but right now we feel the cream is rising to the top. Points Breeder's Cup = 240,80,60,0 3yo Classics = 180,80,60,35 Gr I = 120,80,60,35 Gr II = 55,40,30,10 Gr III = 15,10,5,0 The points also act as a tool that points out a couple of quirks in the Grading System. Some facts: There are more Gr I's than Gr II's for 2yo fillies. There are more Gr II's than Gr III's for F&M's. Out of 474 graded stakes in 2004, 37 were for Sprints. Conclusion. Where the hell does this leave us? The American Graded Stakes Committee (AGSC) is a group that has a valid opinion. The idea of Grading Stakes in the first place was for breeders and owners who couldn't watch every race get some idea of value for a mare or an offspring. The catalogue page was all some had to go by. There was no YouTube, Calracing site, DRF, to get to know a horse more. So, the grades were set up to qualify how good a horse was. Today, that tool is outdated, and underutilized, but the idea still rings true. The AGSC could qualify their races into points, and you could have a true season of racing, and name a true horse of the year. All this could be sponsored and generate more money for the AGSC and TOBA who could in turn help tracks coordinate their stakes schedules for a TV offering. And, that would lead to my next idea, maybe I'll post that tomorrow. But, for now enjoy the points. Every member of the TBA also pledges at least $50 to Old Friends in the name of the Horse of the Year. Last year we raised over $300 and this year we're on pace for over $1000. This does give some credibility to our standings. And we hope the likes of Mr Paulick, Illman, and Crist could join us in pressuring the AGSC to maybe thinking about this. The TBA is always open.