Stakes Status Downgraded for Three Off-The-Turf Races
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand
Sainthood wins the off-the-turf Pennine Ridge Stakes at Belmont Park
The American Graded Stakes Committee has officially downgraded three stakes originally scheduled to be run on the grass and moved to the main track due to inclement weather. None of the races, all won by first-time stakes winners, will lose their black-type status.
Belmont Park's Pennine Ridge Stakes, initially a grade 2 stakes won May 29 by WinStar Farm and China Horse Club's Sainthood, will be recorded as a grade 3 stakes. The Pennine Ridge was Sainthood's third start in graded company. He previously was runner-up in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3). The Reds finished second and Shawdyshawdyshawdy was third.
It is the AGSC's policy to automatically downgrade by one level all off-the-turf stakes. The race is then reviewed by the committee to determine whether the original graded status should be renewed.
Other stakes being downgraded include Belmont's listed Paradise Creek Stakes, won May 30 by Beren, that will be officially listed as a non-listed black-type stakes; and, the Penn Oaks at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, which was won May 28 by Orbs Baby Girl and also becomes a non-listed black-type stakes for this running.
Beren won the Paradise Creek by 10 3/4 lengths. He was followed by Three Two Zone and Thin White Duke.
Orbs Baby Girl won by 5 1/4 lengths. Amalfi Princess was second and Tic Tic Tic Boom was third.