An interesting read, just might stir up some debate, lol.

http://espn.go.com/horse/triplecrown04/s/2004/0525/1809195.html

OPM: Interesting, but why do they just use stakes races, why don\'t they use graded stakes or Gr 1 stakes, this plays down the accomplishment of the other TC winners.

bdhsheets: I believe Graded Stakes only came into existence just recently, the 1970\'s I want to say. I could be wrong.....