Cardinal Handicap Reinstated to Grade 3 Status

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/21/2017 - 05:41
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Cardinal Handicap Reinstated to Grade 3 Status
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Photo: Coady Photography
Tricky Escape's win in the Cardinal Handicap has been reinstated to grade 3 status

The American Graded Stakes Committee has reinstated the Nov. 18 running of the Cardinal Handicap on the main track at Churchill Downs to grade 3 status following a review of the 1 1/8-mile test that was originally scheduled to be conducted on the turf.

It is the policy of the American Graded Stakes Committee that a race scheduled for the turf but moved to dirt after the closing of nominations because the turf course is unsuitable for racing is automatically downgraded one level for that running only, pending a review. After reviewing the Cardinal—which was won by Tricky Escape and featured five scratches, including expected favorite Dona Bruja—the committee determined the field still was worthy of grade 3 status. 

The ruling gives Tricky Escape her second graded stakes win. The daughter of Hat Trick (JPN) previously won the Violet Stakes (G3T) at Monmouth Park Aug. 19.