First, let's do the numbers. Through mid-April there have been 13 graded stakes races run this year in the "3 and up route/dirt" division. And, through mid-April, there have been 13 different winners.
A cookie for those who can name them all. Half a dozen? Three?
Granted, there have been only two grade 1 races for the group to date, and the obsession for international plunder in Saudi Arabia and Dubai tends to thin the domestic herd. But you would think that just by chance some older horse could have been in good enough form to stumble into a couple of those 13. Asking too much? Guess so.
It can be argued that the best competition for the division does not commence until the Triple Crown is done and dusted. If that is true, what a shame. The game can't walk and chew gum at the same time. Wouldn't it be great if there was a nationally televised series of races for the older division that lured the best of the best to tracks around the country in pursuit of a year-end bonus that would set the stage for the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1)?
Oh, they tried that.
By this point in the 1991 racing calendar, three of 10 scheduled events had been presented in the inaugural American Championship Racing Series. The name was a little over the top, but the sentiment was sound and the execution was made possible by a coalition of nine track managements, coast to coast. The promoter was Barry Weisbord, of Matchmaker Breeders' Exchange and Thoroughbred Daily News, whose efforts helped secure ABC for the telecasts. Horses would be competing for $500,000 purse minimums plus a distribution of $1.5 million bonus money based on series performance.
Such amounts seem quaint now in the face of the millions tossed around in the Middle East, plus a Breeders' Cup Classic worth $7 million for the first time this year. Gas was also a buck and a quarter back then, so do the math.
The Oaklawn Handicap (G1) of April 13, 1991, drew a field of eight for its ACRS debut. It included the first two winners in the series—Donn Handicap (G1) winner Jolie's Halo and Santa Anita Handicap (G1) winner Farma Way—along with 1990 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Unbridled and Santa Anita Handicap runner-up Festin. A sloppy track played to the strengths of the Argentine Festin, who looped the field to beat longshot Primal by three-quarters of a length under Eddie Delahoussaye.
After running in eight of the 10 ACRS events and winning twice, Farma Way landed the $750,000 bonus. Festin, who won two of his seven series appearances, banked second prize of $375,000. Marquetry, who won twice in three series races, took the bronze and $225,000.
The ACRS lasted only one more season before the coalition crumbled. Since then, the Breeders' Cup has put forth its Win-and-You're-In concept that guarantees a fees-paid berth in races on the championship days. Now renamed the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, there are five events for the older route/dirt division—including the holdover Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) from ACRS days.
Found money—right?—but counterintuitive. Whatever it's called, the Challenge Series perpetuates the theme of one-and-done for winning horses, suppressing extensive campaigns, rather than encouraging the development of equine stars chasing a long and entertaining trail to Classic riches at the end of the rainbow.
There is some promise among this year's older guard, beginning with the entertaining Florida trio that's been smacking each other around. Tumbarumba, by Oscar Performance , was first and Steal Sunshine was three-quarters of a length back in third in the Fred. W. Hooper Stakes (G3) Jan. 27. Steal Sunshine, a son of Constitution , came back to beat Tumbarumba by a nose in the Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes (G2) March 2, with Il Miracolo a close third. Then March 30, in the Ghostzapper Stakes (G3) at a mile and a sixteenth, Gun Runner 's boy Il Miracolo beat Tumbarumba and Steal Sunshine, the three separated by a neck and three-quarters of a length at the end.
The next time they get together, somebody should sell tickets.
Out in California, the Newgate/Newgrange rivalry was just warming up but now it's gone poof, with no promise it will be renewed any time soon. Newgrange ended 2023 by winning the final race for the division in the San Antonio Stakes (G2) and kicked off 2024 by beating Newgate in the San Pasqual Stakes (G2). Newgrange was a slight favorite over Newgate in the subsequent Santa Anita Handicap, but 'Grange ran up the track while 'Gate seized the day with victory.
Newgate went on to try the Dubai World Cup (G1) and was among those drowned by Laurel River. It was a roll of the dice, taking him out of the picture for several ripe United States opportunities, but hopefully he will be back. As for Newgrange, he has not had a recorded workout for more than a month.
"We diagnosed a breathing issue," said Phil D'Amato, who trains Newgrange for a partnership. "We found that he displaced his palate. Fortunately, the procedure is pretty routine and was done right at the track. He will be working again next week."
D'Amato said Newgrange would be pointed for the San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar, one of 40 graded stakes left to run for the division. They commence April 20, with the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) in Hot Springs, Ark., at 1 1/8 miles.
It is frustrating, however, that the field of 11 does not include the winners of two good races for the division offered earlier in the Oaklawn Park meet. First Mission blew the doors off the Essex Handicap (G3) March 23, winning by five, while Frosted Grace aced the Oaklawn Mile Stakes (G3) one week later.
Thankfully, there are three runners at Oaklawn who have a chance to become two-timers this year. Octane won the Razorback Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn in February, and Red Route One is still sharp after winning the New Orleans Classic Stakes (G2) in March.
Then there is Skippylongstocking, who bounced back from a grim day in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) to win the Challenger Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. The Oaklawn will mark Skippy's 13th different racetrack in his 23rd start for owner Daniel Alonso, which is a pretty good imitation of a one-horse ACRS.
