Graded stakes race

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A graded stakes race is a thoroughbred horse race in the United States that meets the criteria of the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA). A specific grade level (I, II, III or listed) is then assigned to the race, based on statistical analysis of the quality of the field in previous years, provided the race meets the minimum purse criteria for the grade in question. In Canada, a similar grading system is maintained by the Jockey Club of Canada. Graded stakes races are similar to Group races in Europe but the grading is more dynamic in North America.

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A high grading can also be used by racetracks to promote the race in question. When determining Eclipse Award winners, racing journalists will consider the number and grade of a horse's stakes wins during the year.

In general, stakes race refers to the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay, which generally forms part of the prize money offered to the top finishers. Not all stakes races are eligible for grading. Notably, races that are restricted to horses bred in a specific state (e.g., the Tiznow Stakes for California-breds) or country (e.g., the races that make up the Canadian Triple Crown, all restricted to Canadian-breds) are excluded, regardless of the purse or quality of field. Conversely, some races that are not technically stakes races (usually invitational races where entry fees are not required by the racetrack) may be eligible for grading if they meet the quality standards.

History

European authorities implemented the Pattern race system in 1972 and requested that North America implement a similar method, leading to the development of the graded stakes system by TOBA in 1973. The first list of North American Graded Stakes was published in 1974. The original purpose of grading was to identify the most competitive races, which helps horsemen make comparisons of the relative quality of bloodstock for breeding and sales purposes. [1]

When the race-grading program was being set up for its 1973 introduction by the American Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association it was done so as to match the data formatting in use by the British system being Grade I, Grade II, Grade III. [2] However, the advent of the Internet meant that format would eventually be mostly abandoned in favor of G1, G2, G3. Used by TOBA itself, and most significantly by Equibase Company LLC that is the official supplier of racing information and statistics to America's Best Racing, Breeders' Cup, Daily Racing Form, NTRA, The Jockey Club, TRA, TVG, and Xpressbet. [3] A notable exception to the change in format being the three New York Racing Association tracks. [4]

Fasig-Tipto began including grading information in 1975, Keeneland Association in 1976, and Daily Racing Form in 1978. In 1998, Canada began to grade Canadian races independently. [1]

Listed stakes were first added as a level in 2013. [5]

Criteria

The American Graded Stakes Committee grades only races that: [1]

In 2008, the committee began requiring that toe grabs on the horseshoe, designed to improve traction, be no longer than 2 millimeters. This was in response to studies by Susan Stover showing that such toe grabs substantially increase the risk of catastrophic racing injuries. [6] [7] Recently, racing officials have also banned the use of furosemide (Lasix) in all Black Type races, which include graded and listed stakes races. [8]

A newly established race may inherit the graded status of a discontinued race if it is held at the same facility under essentially identical conditions as the discontinued race. For example, the inaugural running of the Pegasus World Cup in January 2017 was Grade I, inheriting the status of the discontinued Donn Handicap. [9]

Levels

There are four grade levels, from Listed at the bottom to Grade I at the top. The latter are higher-class races for bigger prizes for horses of the same age group (2, 3 or 3 and up) and may further be restricted by sex. The weight conditions of the races may vary provided they meet the committee's standards to ensure competitiveness. Many grade I races are "weight-for-age", with weights adjusted only according to age and sex, and also there are "set weights" where all horses carry the same weight (usually applicable when all horses are of the same age and sex). Furthermore, there are "conditions" races, in which horses carry weights that are set by conditions, such as having won a certain number of races, or races of a certain value. Finally, some graded stakes are "handicaps", in which an official handicapper assigns weights to each horse in an attempt to equalize the competition.

All Grade I races must have a purse of at least $300,000, but not all races with such high purses are Grade I. For example, a racetrack may offer a high purse to attract better fields so the race will be upgraded in future years. The grade level is assigned by looking at data that indicates quality of the field for the last five years. [1] In order to achieve or maintain a Grade I, it is necessary to attract a competitive field over a number of years.

For graded turf races, track conditions (normally excessive rain) may sometimes force the race to be run on the main (dirt) track. If this happens, the race is automatically downgraded by one grade level for that running only. The Committee then reviews the race within five days and may restore the original grade. For example, a Grade I turf race that is switched to the dirt will be recorded as a Grade II race, unless the committee feels the quality of the race was sufficient to warrant Grade I. [1]

In the United States and Canada, a graded race can be dormant for one year without losing its grade.

U.S. graded stakes races

Grade I changes since 2010

The following races have been downgraded from Grade I status since 2010:

The Donn Handicap was discontinued after its 2016 edition; its Grade I status was transferred to the Pegasus World Cup, which held its first edition in 2017

The following races have been upgraded to Grade I status since 2010:

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Graded Stakes". toba.org. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  2. ↑ "Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Graded Stakes History". TOBA. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  3. ↑ "Equibase Company LLC". equibase.com. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  4. ↑ "Saratoga - Stakes Schedule Summer 2024". NYRA . Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  5. ↑ Mitchell, Eric (2016-08-03). "Part 1: Evolution of Black Type". www.bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  6. ↑ "Graded Stakes Tied to Adoption of Rules". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  7. ↑ "Committee Calls for Ban on Certain Toe Grabs". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  8. ↑ "Phase-Out of Lasix in Graded Stakes Discussed". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  9. ↑ "Pegasus World Cup to Carry Grade I Status". bloodhorse.com. The Blood-Horse. July 22, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  10. 1 2 "American Turf Upgraded To G1 For 2025; Vanderbilt Downgraded To G2". Paulick Report | Latest news and commentary from the horse racing and equine world. 2024-12-18. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Graded and Listed Races for 2019 Released". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Blue Grass, Wood Memorial Downgraded". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Release, Press (2023-12-16). "TOBA Announces U.S. Graded, Listed Stakes For 2024; Five Races Lose Grade 1 Status". Paulick Report | Shining Light on the Horse Industry. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 "Delaware Handicap, Hopeful Now Grade I". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 Release, Press (2022-12-16). "Five Grade 1 Races Downgraded For 2023; Stephen Foster Renews Grade 1 Status". Paulick Report | Shining Light on the Horse Industry. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  16. 1 2 3 "TOBA Announces U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  17. 1 2 3 4 Release, Press (2022-01-28). "Blue Grass Stakes Resumes Grade 1 Status; Secretariat, Flower Bowl Downgraded For 2022". Paulick Report | Shining Light on the Horse Industry. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Four New Grade I Stakes for 2012". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  19. 1 2 "2011 Graded Stakes: 13 Fewer Than '10". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  20. 1 2 3 "Eight Stakes Elevated in Status for 2014". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  21. ↑ "AGSC Announces U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes for 2018". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  22. ↑ TOBA (2020-12-18). "TOBA Announces U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes for 2021". Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  23. ↑ "Blue Grass Stakes Resumes Grade 1 Status; Secretariat, Flower Bowl Downgraded For 2022". paulickreport.com. 28 January 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
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