224:", 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 "
231:
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
235:
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
78:
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
70:, 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.
219:
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
35:(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
82:
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. However, the advent of the
61:
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
202:
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
1382:
158:
Restrict entries only by age and sex. For example, a race may be restricted to three-year-old fillies and be eligible for grading, but a race restricted by where a horse is bred is not eligible for grading.
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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.
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Have been run for two years under fundamentally the same conditions. For example, the race's distance may be slightly altered, but age and sex conditions may not be.
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was to identify the most competitive races, which helps horsemen make comparisons of the relative quality of bloodstock for breeding and sales purposes.
232:
of the field for the last five years. In order to achieve or maintain a Grade I, it is necessary to attract a competitive field over a number of years.
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showing that such toe grabs substantially increase the risk of catastrophic racing injuries. Recently, racing officials have also banned the use of
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Have a purse of at least $ 75,000 for a listed race, $ 100,000 for Grade III, $ 200,000 for Grade II, and $ 300,000 for Grade I.
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meant that format would eventually be mostly abandoned in favor of G1, G2, G3. Used by TOBA itself, and most significantly by
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228:", in which an official handicapper assigns weights to each horse in an attempt to equalize the competition.
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Have preference conditions written to industry standards that seek to give preference to the best horses.
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winners, racing journalists will consider the number and grade of a horse's stakes wins during the year.
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Follow rules for androgenic-anabolic steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, allowing only
183:. (This is a minimum standard; some racing jurisdictions have even higher restrictions on medications)
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In the United States and Canada, a graded race can be dormant for one year without losing its grade.
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191:, designed to improve traction, be no longer than 2 millimeters. This was in response to studies by
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A high grading can also be used by racetracks to promote the race in question. When determining
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1336:"Blue Grass Stakes Resumes Grade 1 Status; Secretariat, Flower Bowl Downgraded For 2022"
1166:"Blue Grass Stakes Resumes Grade 1 Status; Secretariat, Flower Bowl Downgraded For 2022"
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1036:"TOBA Announces U.S. Graded, Listed Stakes For 2024; Five Races Lose Grade 1 Status"
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was discontinued after its 2016 edition; its Grade I status was transferred to the
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199:(Lasix) in all Black Type races, which include graded and listed stakes races.
1104:"Five Grade 1 Races Downgraded For 2023; Stephen Foster Renews Grade 1 Status"
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63:
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28:
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at
Churchill Downs (2019) The race was upgraded to a Grade 1 again in 2023.
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The following races have been downgraded from Grade I status since 2010:
40:
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in
January 2017 was Grade I, inheriting the status of the discontinued
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112:
31:
that meets the criteria of the
American Graded Stakes Committee of the
1380:
Graded stakes committee to require adoption of steroid, toe grab rules
137:
in 1978. In 1998, Canada began to grade
Canadian races independently.
91:
that is the official supplier of racing information and statistics to
1374:
682:
552:
The following races have been upgraded to Grade I status since 2010:
276:
188:
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116:
747:"Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Graded Stakes History"
379:
at
Saratoga (2012) The race was upgraded to a Grade 1 again in 2013.
84:
66:
for
California-breds) or country (e.g., the races that make up the
721:
164:
Have post-race drug testing managed by a governmental authority.
44:
119:. A notable exception to the change in format being the three
220:
standards to ensure competitiveness. Many grade I races are "
187:
In 2008, the committee began requiring that toe grabs on the
148:
The
American Graded Stakes Committee grades only races that:
771:
603:(2013) The race was downgraded to a Grade 2 again in 2018.
279:(2017) The race was upgraded to a Grade 1 again in 2022.
1369:
1312:"TOBA Announces U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes for 2021"
1286:"AGSC Announces U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes for 2018"
1375:
An Explanation of the American Graded Stakes Process
1170:
Paulick Report | Shining Light on the Horse Industry
1108:
Paulick Report | Shining Light on the Horse Industry
1040:
Paulick Report | Shining Light on the Horse Industry
140:Listed stakes were first added as a level in 2013.
47:but the grading is more dynamic in North America.
1393:
899:"Phase-Out of Lasix in Graded Stakes Discussed"
1133:"TOBA Announces U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes"
874:"Committee Calls for Ban on Certain Toe Grabs"
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129:began including grading information in 1975,
1370:Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association
1316:Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association
33:Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association
967:"Graded and Listed Races for 2019 Released"
924:"Pegasus World Cup to Carry Grade I Status"
242:
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1261:"Eight Stakes Elevated in Status for 2014"
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984:
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693:List of American and Canadian Graded races
249:List of American and Canadian Graded races
849:"Graded Stakes Tied to Adoption of Rules"
1069:"Delaware Handicap, Hopeful Now Grade I"
822:
797:"Saratoga - Stakes Schedule Summer 2024"
1231:"2011 Graded Stakes: 13 Fewer Than '10"
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549:, which held its first edition in 2017
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999:"Blue Grass, Wood Memorial Downgraded"
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467:Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap
39:. Graded stakes races are similar to
1309:
705:
557:Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf
313:Charles Whittingham Memorial Stakes
13:
1203:"Four New Grade I Stakes for 2012"
1150:
1086:
1016:
647:Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes
569:Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint
491:at Los Alamitos Race Course (2023)
14:
1418:
1358:
825:"Part 1: Evolution of Black Type"
501:Triple Bend Invitational Handicap
930:. The Blood-Horse. July 22, 2016
16:Class of thoroughbred horse race
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455:Santa Anita Sprint Championship
891:
866:
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816:
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1:
1164:Release, Press (2022-01-28).
1102:Release, Press (2022-12-16).
1034:Release, Press (2023-12-16).
823:Mitchell, Eric (2016-08-03).
698:
7:
671:
563:Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf
143:
121:New York Racing Association
10:
1423:
623:Jaipur Invitational Stakes
537:at Santa Anita Park (2019)
503:at Santa Anita Park (2019)
475:at Santa Anita Park (2013)
469:at Santa Anita Park (2019)
463:At Santa Anita Park (2020)
457:at Santa Anita Park (2020)
445:at Santa Anita Park (2023)
385:at Santa Anita Park (2016)
367:at Santa Anita Park (2024)
254:Grade I changes since 2010
246:
73:
637:at Churchill Downs (2014)
575:Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint
371:Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes
365:Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes
214:
1402:Horse racing terminology
433:Princess Rooney Handicap
373:at Hollywood Park (2012)
243:U.S. graded stakes races
613:Franklin-Simpson Stakes
495:Stephen Foster Handicap
25:thoroughbred horse race
1365:Graded Stakes Database
772:"Equibase Company LLC"
661:at Belmont Park (2019)
643:at Belmont Park (2022)
625:at Belmont Park (2019)
581:Churchill Downs Stakes
531:at Belmont Park (2023)
519:at Belmont Park (2020)
407:at Belmont Park (2017)
401:at Belmont Park (2024)
659:Woody Stephens Stakes
655:at Parx Racing (2017)
607:Fourstardave Handicap
507:United Nations Stakes
389:Los Alamitos Futurity
131:Keeneland Association
93:America's Best Racing
68:Canadian Triple Crown
37:Jockey Club of Canada
89:Equibase Company LLC
1407:Graded stakes races
1310:TOBA (2020-12-18).
688:List of horse races
667:at Keeneland (2019)
631:at Keeneland (2012)
473:Santa Monica Stakes
405:Mother Goose Stakes
383:Las Virgenes Stakes
323:Cigar Mile Handicap
1385:2021-03-29 at the
829:www.bloodhorse.com
653:Pennsylvania Derby
649:at Saratoga (2021)
635:La Troienne Stakes
629:Jenny Wiley Stakes
609:at Saratoga (2016)
525:at Aqueduct (2017)
479:Secretariat Stakes
451:at Saratoga (2012)
443:Rodeo Drive Stakes
429:at Saratoga (2014)
411:Pat O'Brien Stakes
361:at Aqueduct (2013)
349:Flower Bowl Stakes
325:at Aqueduct (2023)
21:graded stakes race
1342:. 28 January 2022
1340:paulickreport.com
665:Blue Grass Stakes
597:Delaware Handicap
547:Pegasus World Cup
413:at Del Mar (2012)
399:Man o' War Stakes
339:Eddie Read Stakes
303:Chandelier Stakes
283:Beverly D. Stakes
273:Blue Grass Stakes
205:Pegasus World Cup
135:Daily Racing Form
101:Daily Racing Form
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449:Ruffian Handicap
307:Santa Anita Park
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641:New York Stakes
535:Zenyatta Stakes
529:Woodward Stakes
517:Vosburgh Stakes
427:Prioress Stakes
417:Pimlico Special
333:Churchill Downs
293:Carter Handicap
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109:The Jockey Club
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1359:External links
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1290:BloodHorse.com
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1265:bloodhorse.com
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1235:bloodhorse.com
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52:Eclipse Award
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29:United States
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1344:. Retrieved
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776:equibase.com
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393:Los Alamitos
329:Clark Stakes
267:Belmont Park
257:
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193:Susan Stover
186:
181:testosterone
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57:In general,
56:
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678:Group races
591:Parx Racing
127:Fasig-Tipto
59:stakes race
41:Group races
1396:Categories
1321:2024-01-07
1175:2024-01-07
1113:2024-01-07
1045:2024-01-07
1008:2 December
976:1 December
934:August 26,
834:2024-01-07
699:References
247:See also:
197:furosemide
177:Stanozolol
173:Nandrolone
883:14 August
858:13 August
781:13 August
756:13 August
731:7 January
683:Group One
277:Keeneland
226:handicaps
189:horseshoe
169:Boldenone
117:Xpressbet
1383:Archived
1295:11 April
726:toba.org
672:See also
353:Saratoga
297:Aqueduct
144:Criteria
123:tracks.
85:Internet
1270:25 June
1240:25 June
1212:25 June
1142:25 June
1078:25 June
908:25 June
808:19 July
421:Pimlico
343:Del Mar
111:, TRA,
74:History
27:in the
1346:10 May
619:(2024)
593:(2012)
583:(2019)
577:(2012)
571:(2022)
565:(2011)
559:(2012)
513:(2024)
485:(2022)
439:(2014)
437:Calder
423:(2011)
395:(2019)
355:(2022)
345:(2016)
335:(2023)
319:(2013)
309:(2020)
299:(2024)
289:(2024)
269:(2019)
215:Levels
179:, and
115:, and
45:Europe
23:is a
1348:2022
1297:2018
1272:2016
1242:2016
1214:2016
1144:2016
1080:2016
1010:2016
978:2018
936:2016
910:2016
885:2016
860:2016
810:2024
802:NYRA
783:2024
758:2024
751:TOBA
733:2024
541:The
105:NTRA
615:at
599:at
589:at
509:at
481:at
435:at
419:at
391:at
351:at
341:at
331:at
315:at
305:at
295:at
285:at
275:at
265:at
113:TVG
43:in
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