Fewer Graded Races, Net Loss Of Four Grade I Events For 2024

[Wandering Eyes]

A total of 429 graded stakes races–down from 440 in 2023–and four fewer top-level events will be contested in 2024, the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association announced following its two-day grading session Dec. 14 and 15.

The Committee reviewed 970 overall with purses of at least $75,000 and also assigned listed status to a further 213 races. Some 10 races were upgraded from their previous status–one new Grade I and nine Grade Iis. Four new Grade III events were also listed. Fourteen new listed raced and two new listed/restricted races were upgraded from non-listed black-type status.

The Franklin-Simpson S. at Kentucky Downs is the lone new Grade I for 2024, while the Carter H., the Man o'War S., the Beverly D. S., the United Nations S. and Hollywood Gold Cup each lost its elite-level grading. Nine races were upgraded to Grade II, four races received an upgrade to Grade III, 14 races were upgraded to listed status and two races were awarded listed/restricted status.

Ten races were downgraded from Grade II to Grade III, 15 were downgraded from Grade III to listed status and 13 races were downgraded to non-listed black-type.

In 2024, a total of 93 Grade I races will be staged, 137 at the Grade II level and 199 Grade IIIs. Click here for the 2024 U.S. graded and listed stakes listing.

Upgraded Stakes

Grade II to Grade I

Franklin-Simpson S., Kentucky Downs

 

Grade III to Grade II

Intercontinental S., Belmont Park

Charles Town Oaks, Charles Town

Locust Grove S., Churchill Downs

Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf, Gulfstream

Valley View S., Keeneland

Music City S., Kentucky Downs

Fantasy S., Oaklawn

Saratoga Oaks Invitational, Saratoga

Troy S., Saratoga

 

Listed to Grade III

Unbridled Sidney S., Churchill Downs

Giant's Causeway S., Keeneland

Perryville S., Keeneland

Kentucky Cup Classic, Turfway Park

 

Downgraded Stakes

Grade I to Grade II

Carter H., Aqueduct

Man o'War S., Belmont

Beverly D. S., Colonial Downs

United Nations S., Monmouth

Hollywood Gold Cup, Santa Anita

 

Grade II to Grade III

Forty Niner S., Aqueduct

Hill Prince S., Belmont at Aqueduct

Vosburgh S., Belmont at Aqueduct

Sheepshead Bay S., Belmont at Aqueduct

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance S. at BC host site

Penn Mile S., Penn National

Californian S., Santa Anita

Goldikova S., Santa Anita

Royal Heroine S., Santa Anita

Prioress S., Saratoga

 

Grade III to Listed

Bay Shore S., Aqueduct

Fall Highweight H., Aqueduct

La Jolla H., Del Mar

Golden Gate H., Golden Gate Fields

Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint S., Gulfstream

Smile Sprint S., Gulfstream

Sugar Swirl S., Gulfstream

Swale S., Gulfstream

Smarty Jones S., Parx

BWI Invitational Turf Cup, Pimlico

Iowa Oaks, Prairie Meadows

Remington Park Oaks, Remington

Desert Stormer S., Santa Anita

Kona Gold S., Santa Anita

Schuylerville S., Saratoga

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