Graded Debate: Blue Grass and Wood Memorial

In 2017, both the Wood Memorial and the Blue Grass Stakes were downgraded from Grade 1, the highest level of racing, to a Grade 2.

This year, the Wood Memorial produced the Preakness winner Cloud Computing, who finished third in the Wood Memorial. The winner of the Wood Memorial was Irish War Cry, who managed only tenth in the Kentucky Derby, but skipped the Preakness and then finished second in the Belmont Stakes.

The Wood Memorial has been downgraded twice since 1976, first in 1995 and lasting through 2001. In 2002, the race was bumped back up to 2002. In the years that the Wood Memorial was a Grade 2 (1995-2001), it produced major winners:

-Unbridled’s Song (Kentucky Derby favorite)

-Captain Bodgit (2nd in Kentucky Derby, 3rd in Preakness)

-Coronoado’s Quest (1st in Travers, Haskell)

-Fusaichi Pegasus (1st in Kentucky Derby, 2nd in Preakness)

Since 2000, the Wood Memorial has produced top runners like:

-Frosted (2nd  in 2015 Belmont Stakes, 1st in 2015 Pennsylvania Derby, Met Mile, Whitney)

-Wicked Strong (1st 2014 Jim Dandy, 2nd in 2015 Jockey Club Gold Cup)

-Verrazano (1st in Pegasus Stakes, 1st in Haskell)

-Tale of Ekati (1st in 2008 Jerome Handicap, Cigar Mile)

-Empire Maker (2nd in 2003 Kentucky Derby, 1st in Belmont)

The Blue Grass Stakes, while not as successful at the Wood Memorial, has proven a key race this year and in the past. The Blue Grass was downgraded before, from 1990-1998. The Blue Grass Stakes, in the past, has produced horses such as:

-Alydar (2nd in 1978 Derby, Preakness, Belmont)

-Spectacular Bid (1st in 1979 Derby, Preakness)

-Summer Squall (1st in 1990 Preakness)

-Strike the Gold (1st in 1991 Derby, 2nd in Belmont)

This year, the Blue Grass Stakes saw Tapwrit finish 5th but prepped him for 6th place finish in the Kentucky Derby and a 1st place finish in the Belmont Stakes. Additionally, the Blue Grass saw Wild Shot move on from a 7th place in the Blue Grass to a win in the Pat Day Mile. 

Since 2000, the Blue Grass Stakes has not produced as many top horses, but has produced:

-Harlan’s Holiday (1st in 2002 Pennsylvania Derby, 2003 Donn Handicap, 2nd in 2003 Dubai World Cup)

-The Cliff’s Edge (2nd in 2004 Dwyer, Jim Dandy, Travers, 3rd in Jockey Club Gold Cup)

-General Quarters (1st in 2010 Manhattan, 3rd in Stephen Foster)

-Dullahan (3rd in 2012 Derby, 1st in Pacific Classic)

While the Wood Memorial and the Blue Grass Stakes have not produced a Kentucky Derby winner since 1991 (Blue Grass; Strike the Gold) or 2000 (Wood Memorial; Fusaichi Pegasus), they are not void of all quality. Some of the best horses are coming out of these two races.

What do you say? After seeing the Preakness winner and the top two in the Belmont come out of the Wood Memorial and Blue Grass, should the Grade 1 status be reinstated for these two races?