Stakes Committee downgrades four Grade 1 races for 2020

The American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association on Friday announced its listing of U.S. graded and listed stakes Races for 2020, the results of its annual grading session.

The committee reviewed 844 U.S. stakes races with a purse of at least $75,000 and assigned graded status to 448 of them, two fewer than in 2019, and listed status to 196 races. Seven Graded races were upgraded; six new Grade 3 races were named; and 32 new listed races were upgraded from non-listed black type status. Thirteen races which carried graded or listed status in 2019 are no longer eligible.

No races were upgraded to Grade 1 status for 2020, but four races were downgraded: the Vosburgh at Belmont Park, plus the Chandelier, Santa Anita Oaks and Santa Anita Sprint Championship at Santa Anita Park.

Seven races were upgraded to Grade 2 status for 2020: the Fort Marcy, Pennine Ridge and Pilgrim at Belmont Park; Edgewood and Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs; Dixiana Bourbon at Keeneland; and the Joe Hernandez at Santa Anita Park.

Six races were downgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 3 in 2020: the Gazelle at Aqueduct; Pocahontas at Churchill Downs; Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park; Monmouth at Monmouth Park; and Kona Gold and San Luis Rey at Santa Anita Park.

Six races were upgraded to Grade 3 status for 2020: the Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational and Runhappy at Belmont Park; Dogwood at Churchill Downs; Louisiana at Fair Grounds; Kitten’s Joy at Gulfstream Park; and Challenger at Tampa Bay Downs.

Six races were downgraded from Grade 3 to listed status for 2020: the American Derby, Arlington Matron and Hanshin Cup at Arlington Park; All American at Golden Gate Fields; Hutcheson at Gulfstream Park; and Oceanport at Monmouth Park.

Following is a summary breakdown of all grade levels: