American Graded Stakes Committee

Automatically downgraded to a Grade II after coming off the turf and being contested on Santa Anita's main track Dec. 26, the GI American Oaks was reinstated to Grade I status after its review by TOBA-directed American Graded Stakes Committee Thursday. Queen Goddess (Empire Maker) won the 1 1/4-mile test for sophomore fillies. Also reinstated by the committee is the GII Santa Anita Mathis Mile S., also run last Sunday. Conversely, the third turf test of the afternoon, the GII San Gabriel S., was automatically downgraded to Grade III status...

Brant Laue has been re-elected as chairman of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Board of Trustees, TOBA announced Wednesday. Also joining Laue on the Board of Trustees to serve three-year terms as new members are Barbara Banke, Carrie Brogden and Tim Cohen. Re-elected to three-year terms were current trustees Greg Bensel, Robert Edwards Jr., Tanya Gunther and Walker Hancock. "I thank the trustees for their support," Laue said. "Racing has fared well through the pandemic and some positive trends are continuing in 2021, but the pandemic has created new...

Last Saturday's Perfect Sting S., originally scheduled as a listed race, was downgraded after coming off the Belmont turf and the American Graded Stakes Committee decided that it will not be reinstated for its 2021 renewal. The race will be recorded as a non-listed black-type race. It is the policy of the American Graded Stakes Committee that a race that is scheduled for the turf course but is moved to the dirt track after the closing of nominations because the turf course is unsuitable for racing and is automatically downgraded...

The GII Pennine Ridge S. at Belmont was downgraded to a Grade III event after coming off the turf last Saturday, according to a TOBA release. The American Graded Stakes Committee reviewed the result and determined that the original Grade II status would not be reinstated. It is the policy of the American Graded Stakes Committee that a race that is scheduled for the turf course, but is moved to the dirt track after the closing of nominations because the turf course is unsuitable for racing, is automatically downgraded one...

Monmouth Park's Listed Mr. Prospector S., traditionally contested in late September, was downgraded to a non-Listed Black-Type after moving to May 29 for the 2021 season. The substantial change on the calendar prompted a review by the American Graded Stakes Committee. The Committee's policy states, should a graded or eligible race be altered materially in age, sex, eligibility, racetrack location, or purse, or is substantially changed on the calendar (30 or more days), a review may result in a change in grade. If it is regarded as a new race,...

For the American Graded Stakes Committee, 2020 presented challenges unlike anything it has faced before as the pandemic played havoc with racing schedules and caused the cancellation of numerous stakes. The TDN sat down with the committee's chairman Everett Dobson to discuss the challenges, why it made the changes that it did for 2021 and what might in store for future years. TDN: Take us through what the process entails when it comes to evaluating stakes races. What are the numbers that you crunch? ED: We look at a tremendous...

Edited Press Release The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association has announced the re-election of Brant Laue as Chairman of its Board of Trustees. Joining Laue on the Board of Trustees is Shannon Bishop Arvin, Jeffrey Bloom, Marette Farrell, Dr. J. David Richardson and Stephen Screnci. Re-elected to three-year terms were current trustees Robert Devlin, Terry Finley, Brant Laue, Bernard McCormack, Charlie O'Connor and Garrett O'Rourke. "I am honored to serve another term as chair with this board of trustees," Laue said. "Our great sport has overcome many obstacles and difficulties...