Upgraded Marine Gives Canada 44 Graded Stakes

At the Jockey Club of Canada's Graded Stakes Committee annual review of the graded and listed stakes in Canada, the committee upgraded one listed race to bring the total to 44 graded stakes for 2015.

The Graded Stakes Committee meeting Jan. 27 was conducted by chairman Jeff Begg with all committee members as well as chief steward Jim Lawson and the race secretaries from Hastings Racecourse, Northlands Park, and Woodbine.  

The committee determined that the Marine Stakes at 1 1/16-mile on Polytrack for 3-year-olds at Woodbine would be upgraded from a listed stakes to grade III in 2015 with the recommendation that the purse be bumped to be consistent with the other grade III races at Woodbine. Canada will host four grade I, 16 grade II, and 24 grade III races in 2015. 

The Jockey Club of Canada Graded Stakes Committee evaluates and reviews the graded and listed stakes in Canada annually and determines whether races should be upgraded, downgraded, or remain the same. 

Graded and listed stakes in North America must maintain a minimum purse and minimum cumulative rating to retain or be considered as a graded or listed race.

The Jockey Club of Canada Graded Stakes Committee reports the following stakes races in Canada have lost black-type status in 2015: Alberta Breeders' Handicap, Northlands Park; CTHS Sales Stakes, Hastings Racecourse; Freedom of the City Stakes, Northlands Park; Northlands Oaks, Northlands Park; Redekop BC Cup Classic Handicap, Hastings Racecourse; Sonoma Handicap, Northlands Park; and Western Canada Handicap, Northlands Park.