If the back gate receipts paid all the bills this statement would hold true. However, if there is not sufficient front gate revenue the bills do not get paid. The featured classes are the big names on the stage that is racing. The paying audience fills the seats to see the big names perform. With all due respect, the classes that constitute the under-card do not fill the seats or pay the bills.

And what the promoters do, is hire the performers who fill the seats, and yes, those performers are more important.