Gulfstream Park, a Top Racing Venue, Enjoys Strong Opening Weekend

The American Graded Stakes Committee assigned graded status to 465 stakes races for 2012, which includes four new Grade 1 races. As is typically the case, the selections were not without controversy. Four races were downgraded from Grade 1 to Grade 2. The most egregious of these to many racing pundits was the downgrading of the Hopeful Stakes for 2-year-olds. The Hopeful, first run in 1904, is the traditional closing-day feature at Saratoga and has long been the first Grade 1 for 2-year-olds on the New York circuit. Now, the east's first juvenile Grade 1 race for juveniles on dirt will be the Champagne Stakes in late October. Other races downgraded from Grade 1 to Grade 2 are the Ruffian Invitational Handicap at Saratoga, Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes at Hollywood Park and the Pat O'Brien Stakes at Del Mar. Four races were upgraded to Grade 1 status for 2012: the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing and the Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneand. Five races were upgraded to Grade 2 status for 2012: the Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs, Charles Town Classic Stakes at Charles Town, Monmouth Stakes at Monmouth Park and the Pan American Stakes and Honey Fox Stakes, both at Gulfstream. Five races were downgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 3: the American Derby at Arlington Park, Carry Back Stakes at Calder Race Course, Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Providencia Stakes at Santa Anita and the Shuvee Handicap at Belmont. Four races were upgraded to Grade 3 status: the Ouija Board Distaff Stakes at Lone Star Park and Endine Stakes at Delaware Park. The American Graded Stakes Committee reviewed 659 unrestricted U.S. Stakes races with a purse of at least $75,000. There will be 112 (24.1 percent) Grade 1's; 151 (32.5 percent) Grade 2's and 202 (43.4 percent) Grade 3's. The American Graded Stakes Committee is administered by the Kentucky-based Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.