The mystique, stature, or whatever you want to call it is still dictated by the owners and breeders. It' still a stallion-maker race. Maybe not this year, LOL. This time, I think it's partially a one off, but also I think another contributory factor is the horse population, competing races/tracks, etc. I am curious how much, if at all, the states coordinator and race office made phone calls. What I do think is pathetic is what they've allowed with the purse.
Prep race for those who need it:
CAPTAIN OPTIMISTIC
FALLOUT
JOEL AND THE JETS
KNOCKOUT ROUND
LOUPRINT
MADDEN OAKS
MANOLETE
PAPIS PISTOL
PAPI’S ROCKET
PRINCE HAL HANOVER