US Graded Stakes Committee makes 2013 changes

[Southieboy]

The Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park and The Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga Race Course have been granted grade 1 status by the American Graded Stakes Committee, which met Nov. 28 in Lexington.

In all, five graded races were upgraded including the two grade 1 events and three grade 2 races. In addition, there is one grade 2 race and six grade 3 races that had held listed status. While eligible for grading, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint did not receive an grade.

Three races were downgraded from grade 1 to grade 2 for 2013: the Charles Whittingham Memorial Stakes at Hollywood Park, Gazelle Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack, and the Santa Monica Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/ ... ow-grade-i

[Tvghrtvfan]

Sad to see the Santa Monica and Charlie Whittingham races go to G2. Gazelle was a little understandble.

[Pathagan]

Acclimation won this race twice and used it as a spring board to two wins in the G1 Eddie Read at Del Mar and the G1 Pacific Classic, yet the race gets downgraded to a Grade 2?

Plenty of overrated G1's at NYRA, yet this race gets downgraded? Love the stakes committee sideways.

[Southieboy]

I was shocked to see a chart that there are SIXTEEN grade one races for two year olds. That is a joke in of itself. Even though I am ok with the Hopeful is returning to a G1 given the current list of races, I am of the crowd that only the BC two year old races shall have G1 status.

With the Whittingham being downgraded, that leaves So Cal with not a single grade 1 race for olders on the turf. In 1989 there were at least seven (San Luis Rey, San Juan, Sunset, Oak Tree Inv. (John Henry), Carleton Burke, Hollywood Turf and the Whittingham). The HP Turf is being run as a G2 in a few weeks, the Burke has been eliminated completely and the Sunset is a G3 with a meger $100k purse.

[Tvghrtvfan]

The only G1's on Turf here now are the G1 Eddie Read and G1 Hollywood Derby. Pretty sad to say the least. I agree NYRA has some G1's that maybe need to be downgraded.

[Tvghrtvfan]

I was shocked to see a chart that there are SIXTEEN grade one races for two year olds. That is a joke in of itself. Even though I am ok with the Hopeful is returning to a G1 given the current list of races, I am of the crowd that only the BC two year old races shall have G1 status.

To be honest, the Hopeful shouldn't have never been downgraded. Shanghai Bobby made the race go to a G1.

[Pooch]

I'm planning my vacation time for the rest of the year and see that Delaware Park still has not posted their stakes schedule. I'd like to attend the day of the Delaware Handicap.

Their meet opens in May, why do they delay posting their stakes schedule?

[Southieboy]

I'm planning my vacation time for the rest of the year and see that Delaware Park still has not posted their stakes schedule. I'd like to attend the day of the Delaware Handicap.

Their meet opens in May, why do they delay posting their stakes schedule?

July 20.

[Pooch]

I'm planning my vacation time for the rest of the year and see that Delaware Park still has not posted their stakes schedule. I'd like to attend the day of the Delaware Handicap.

Their meet opens in May, why do they delay posting their stakes schedule?

July 20.

Thanks SB! I was checking all over the net. I appreciate the help!!