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Are you really concerned with what the breeders are interested in?
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We'll have to agree to disagree.
1. I think if you look at the average Grade 1 race throughout the year the BC Mile has been a Grade 1 caliber race. It's not nearly as high a quality race as the Classic which I see as more of Grade 1+ or Grade 1++, but it's Grade 1. It's kind of like comparing one of the Grade 1 Derby preps to the Kentucky Derby. Both are Grade 1s, but one is a national race that draws all the major prep winners from everywhere so it's better than the average Grade 1.
2. I think some horses are better suited to an 8F race than 6F or 10F. I have no problem with a BC race for those horses. I think that's a good thing.
3. I think the BC Mile takes some horses away from the Sprint and Classic, but they are mostly horses that would be hard pressed to deliver their best at 6F or 10F or not good enough to be considered major contenders in the Classic which is typically ultra strong. The latter doesn't mean they are mediocre horses.
4. I have a problem with the occasional horse that would have been a major contender in the Classic that ducks it looking for an easier spot to preserve the horse's reputation. But IMO, that doesn't happen too often. Most guys shoot for the big prize if they have a serious contender.
