Canada to Run 41 Graded Stakes in 2021
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Photo: Michael Burns
The Northern Dancer Turf Stakes, won in 2020 by Say the Word, will not be run in 2021 at Woodbine
The Jockey Club of Canada announced Feb. 10 a slight reduction in the country's graded stakes after its Graded Stakes Committee held its annual review. The number of graded stakes in Canada will decrease to 41 due to individual racetracks choosing to place selected races on hold for the 2021 season.
Two races with black-type status will be upgraded to listed status for 2021: the Ontario Racing Stakes and the Woodbine Cares Stakes.
The Graded Stakes Committee meeting was conducted by Committee chair, Ross McKague, who was accompanied by all of the Committee members David Anderson, James Bannon, Jeffrey Begg, Tom Cosgrove, Catherine Day Phillips, Bernard McCormack, and Jockey Club of Canada's chief steward R. Glenn Sikura. Attending racetrack representatives included Julie Bell, Scott Lane, Rob MacLennan, and Nichelle Milner.
The Committee reviewed the North American Race Committee figures and the Race Quality Scores for all of the graded stakes races in Canada. In general, evaluation indicated slight declines in the performance of most graded stakes races across Canada. These numbers will remain on historical record, but were not used to upgrade, downgrade, or place on watch any individual races.
2020 was recognized as an anomalous year. The committee is, however, fully aware of the possibility that some effects of the pandemic of 2020 may continue in the future.
The Northern Dancer Turf Stakes (G1T), Eclipse Stakes (G2), Nijinsky Stakes (G2T), and Play the King Stakes (G2T) have all been placed on hold and will not be run in 2021.
One race will have its distance decreased: the Valedictory Stakes (G3T) from 1 3/4 miles to 1 1/2 miles.
Additionally, the following races have a change to their age requirement for 2021: the Nassau Stakes (G2T), Royal North Stakes (G2T), Dominion Day Stakes (G3), Vigil Stakes (G3), Ontario Matron Stakes (G3), Seaway Stakes (G3), and Trillium Stakes (G3) all change from 3 years old and up to 4 years old and up. The Hendrie Stakes (G3) changes from 4 years old and up to 3 years old and up.
| Canadian Graded Stakes in 2021 | ||||
| Name | Grade | Distance | Track | Age/Sex |
| Pattison Canadian International | G1T | 1 1/2 Miles (T) | WO | 3up |
| Ricoh Woodbine Mile | G1T | One Mile (T) | WO | 3up |
| E. P. Taylor Stakes | G1T | 1 1/4 Miles (T) | WO | 3up f/m |
| Natalma Stakes | G1T | One Mile (T) | WO | 2yof |
| Summer Stakes | G1T | One Mile (T) | WO | 2yo |
| Highlander Stakes | G1T | Six Furlongs (T) | WO | 3up |
| King Edward Stakes | G2T | One Mile (T) | WO | 3up |
| Autumn Stakes | G2 | 1 1/16 Miles | WO | 3up |
| Kennedy Road Stakes | G2 | Six Furlongs | WO | 3up |
| Nearctic Stakes | G2T | Six Furlongs (T) | WO | 3up |
| Connaught Cup Stakes | G2T | Seven Furlongs (T) | WO | 4up |
| Nassau Stakes | G2T | One Mile (T) | WO | 4up f/m |
| Dance Smartly Stakes | G2T | 1 1/4 Miles (T) | WO | 3up f/m |
| Canadian Stakes | G2T | 1 1/8 Miles (T) | WO | 3up f/m |
| Bessarabian Stakes | G2 | Seven Furlongs | WO | 3up f/m |
| Royal North Stakes | G2T | Six Furlongs (T) | WO | 4up f/m |
| Grey Stakes | G3 | 1 1/16 Miles | WO | 2yo |
| Mazarine Stakes | G3 | 1 1/16 Miles | WO | 2yof |
| Marine Stakes | G3 | 1 1/16 Miles | WO | 3yo |
| BC Premier’s Handicap | G3 | 1 3/8 Miles | HST | 3up |
| Seagram Cup Stakes | G3 | 1 1/16 Miles | WO | 3up |
| Dominion Day Stakes | G3 | 1 1/8 Miles | WO | 4up |
| Singspiel Stakes | G3T | 1 1/4 Miles (T) | WO | 3up |
| Durham Cup Stakes | G3 | 1 1/16 Miles | WO | 3up |
| Valedictory Stakes | G3T | 1 1/2 Miles (T) | WO | 3up |
| Bold Venture | G3 | 6 1/2 Furlongs | WO | 4up |
| Vigil Stakes | G3 | Six Furlongs | WO | 4up |
| Ballerina Stakes | G3 | 1 1/8 Miles | HST | 3up f/m |
| Ontario Fashion Stakes | G3 | Six Furlongs | WO | 3up f/m |
| Seaway Stakes | G3 | Seven Furlongs | WO | 4up f/m |
| Maple Leaf Stakes | G3 | 1 1/4 Miles | WO | 3up f/m |
| Ontario Matron Stakes | G3 | 1 1/16 Miles | WO | 4up f/m |
| Whimsical Stakes | G3 | Six Furlongs | WO | 4up f/m |
| Hendrie Stakes | G3 | 6 1/2 Furlongs | WO | 3up f/m |
| British Columbia Derby | G3 | 1 1/8 Miles | HST | 3yo |
| Canadian Derby | G3 | 1 1/4 Miles | CTM | 3yo |
| Ontario Derby | G3 | 1 1/8 Miles | WO | 3yo |
| Selene Stakes | G3 | 1 1/16 Miles | WO | 3yof |
| Ontario Colleen Stakes | G3T | One Mile (T) | WO | 3yof |
| Trillium Stakes | G3 | 1 1/16 Miles | WO | 4up f/m |
| Jacques Cartier Stakes | G3 | Six Furlongs | WO | 4up |