American Turf Upgraded to G1, Vanderbilt Downgraded

Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs became even more prestigious Dec. 18 as the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association's American Graded Stakes Committee announced an upgrade to grade 1 status for one of its undercard stakes: the American Turf Stakes for 3-year-olds.

In total, 957 United States stakes races with a purse of at least $75,000 were reviewed by the committee at their Dec. 16-17 grading sessions. Graded status was awarded to 415 races, 14 fewer than 2024, and listed status was granted to 210 races.

Four graded races were upgraded—one new grade 1 and three new grade 2s. Nine new grade 3 races were identified and 12 new listed races and one new listed restricted race were upgraded from non-listed black-type status.

Thirty-three graded races were downgraded with one grade 1, 10 grade 2 and 22 grade 3 races being demoted. Twenty-one listed races were downgraded to NLBT status.

Inaugurated in 1992, the American Turf received grade 3 status from the committee in 1998 and has been run as a grade 2 since 2010. With the upgrade, the race that was contested for a $600,000 purse in 2024 becomes the fifth grade 1 event on the Kentucky Derby (G1) card and the seventh to be hosted in Louisville, Ky., that weekend.

The AGSC aims to provide owners and breeders of Thoroughbred horses a reliable guide to the relative quality of Thoroughbred bloodstock by identifying U.S. races whose recent renewals have consistently attracted the highest quality competition.

In 2024, the American Turf was won by Trikari , who won the Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) two starts later. Through Dec. 18, 13 of the 14 runners in this year's edition are stakes winners—eight at the graded level—including runner-up Formidable Man  going on to win the Hollywood Derby (G1T) at Del Mar in November. In the 2023 edition, future grade 1 winners Far Bridge , Johannes  and Carl Spackler  finished second, fifth, and eighth, respectively.

Churchill Downs received nine upgrades, more than double any other track. The Chicago Stakes, typically held in June, was upgraded to grade 2 status while a trio of spring meet stakes—the Aristides Stakes, Kelly's Landing Stakes and Mamzelle Stakes—were upgraded to grade 3. Another four black-type stakes were upgraded to listed status. The Cardinal Stakes, held during Churchill's fall meet, was downgraded from grade 3 to listed.

The total number of grade 1 races in 2025 remains the same at 93 as the upgrade of the American Turf was countered with the downgrade of the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G2) at Saratoga Race Course, which had been a grade 1 since 2010. The downgrade came despite the appearances of champions Jackie's Warrior   and Elite Power   in the winner's circle over the last three years.

The Vanderbilt was one of 15 stakes hosted on the New York Racing Association circuit to receive downgrades. The John A. Nerud Stakes, Pennine Ridge Stakes and True North Stakes dropped from grade 2 to 3 and the formerly grade 3 Withers Stakes, Dwyer Stakes, Go for Wand Stakes, Toboggan Stakes, Knickerbocker Stakes, Noble Damsel Stakes, and Saranac Stakes are all listed status for 2025.

NYRA did receive five upgrades with the Jockey Club Derby Invitational Stakes improving to grade 2 status and the Glen Cove Stakes, Winter Memories Stakes, Coronation Cup Stakes and Mahony Stakes all becoming grade 3s.

Following is a summary breakdown of all grade levels and a complete list of all upgraded and downgraded U.S. races for 2025 as well as the complete list of 2025 graded and listed stakes.

2025 Races Upgraded To:

Grade 1

• American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs

Grade 2

• Chicago Stakes at Churchill Downs
• Jockey Club Derby Invitational Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
• Sycamore Stakes at Keeneland

Grade 3

• Aristides Stakes at Churchill Downs
• Coronation Cup Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
• Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational Stakes at Kentucky Downs
• Glen Cove Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
• Kelly's Landing Stakes at Churchill Downs
• Mahony Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
• Mamzelle Stakes at Churchill Downs
• Unzip Me Stakes at Santa Anita Park
• Winter Memories Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack

Listed

• Cathryn Sophia Stakes at Parx Racing
• Chorleywood Stakes at Churchill Downs
• Gun Runner Stakes at Kentucky Downs
• Hilltop Stakes at Pimlico Race Course
• Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs
• John Shear Stakes at Santa Anita Park
• Lafayette Stakes at Keeneland
• Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes at Churchill Downs
• Matron Stakes at Oaklawn Park
• Roxelana Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs
• Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes (2-year-olds on turf) at the Breeders' Cup
• Van Clief Stakes at Colonial Downs

Listed-Restricted

• Lure Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

2025 Races Downgraded To:

Grade 2

• Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga Race Course

Grade 3

• Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park
• Fayette Stakes at Keeneland
• Ft. Lauderdale Stakes at Gulfstream Park
• John A. Nerud Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
• Pan American Stakes at Gulfstream Park
• Pennine Ridge Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
• San Gabriel Stakes at Santa Anita Park
• Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita Park
• Triple Bend Stakes at Santa Anita Park
• True North Stakes at Saratoga Race Course

Listed

• Barbara Fritchie Stakes at Laurel Park
• Bob Hope Stakes at Del Mar
• Cardinal Stakes at Churchill Downs
• Chick Lang Stakes at Pimlico Race Course
• Dwyer Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
• General George Stakes at Laurel Park
• Go For Wand Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
• John B. Connally Turf Cup Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park
• Kitten's Joy Stakes at Gulfstream Park
• Knickerbocker Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
• Monmouth Stakes at Monmouth Park
• Noble Damsel Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
• Providencia Stakes at Santa Anita Park
• Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs
• Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita Park
• Saranac Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
• Sunland Park Derby at Sunland Park
• Suwannee River Stakes at Gulfstream Park
• Sweetest Chant Stakes at Gulfstream Park
• Toboggan Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
• West Virginia Governor's Stakes at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort
• Withers Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack

Non-Listed Black Type

• Awad Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
• Bathhouse Row Stakes at Oaklawn Park
• Carry Back Stakes at Gulfstream Park
• Cliff Hanger Stakes at Monmouth Park
• Governor's Cup Stakes at Remington Park
• Heavenly Prize Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
• Interborough Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
• James W. Murphy Stakes at Pimlico Race Course
• Jersey Girl Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
• Kent Stakes at Delaware Park
• Marie G. Krantz Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
• Mr. Prospector Stakes at Monmouth Park
• Oceanport Stakes at Monmouth Park
• Parx Dash Stakes at Parx Racing
• Presque Isle Mile Stakes at Presque Isle Downs
• Prince George's County Stakes at Laurel Park
• Richard W. Small Stakes at Laurel Park
• Safely Kept Stakes at Laurel Park
• Sapling Stakes at Monmouth Park
• Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
• Zia Park Oaks at Zia Park

Not Eligible for Grading in 2025

• Alydar Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
• Dr. James Penny Memorial Stakes at Parx Racing
• Flat Out Stakes at Belmont Park
• Kalookan Queen Stakes at Santa Anita Park
• Riskaverse Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
• Summer Colony Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
• Tale of the Cat Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
• Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes (3-year-olds and up on dirt) at the Breeders' Cup
• Tropical Turf Stakes at Gulfstream Park