I think there's two different, but related, aspects of this. Making as much money as you can, the easiest way you can is one side. Building/padding a resume and making a stallion is the other. Who does what and when is subjective, but what is not is that farms and commercial breeders look at certain races as stallion making races. Times change, races change, and so does what the commercial breeder needs to give and sell to their clients. There is no more Woodrow Wilson for 2yo's, and even when there was, in it's last years, it lost a lot of prestige in the eyes of commercial breeders. The purse went from a high of $2.1m to a low of just over $300k (when Captaintreacherou s won it-----in the race's last and final year-----throw out the first year when it was under $300k). But, many still say the best of the best show up. Do they? I am not so sure. The Metro? Yes, I would say more.
Today, with dual eligibility, states SS programs becoming more lucrative, and so on.....there's a lot in the way of alternatives. The LBJ discussion has long been debated by owners, trainers, and commercial breeders. Between the purse, heat racing, draw, the track, and so on, it's been a hot and contentious topic. Other than 2023, where I think the purse was $1m, the purse has always been between $500k and $650k (IIRC). Like I said, hot and contentious topic, LOL.
