Jockey Club of Canada upgrades two stakes to listed status for 2021
The Jockey Club of Canada’s graded stakes committee has conducted its annual review of graded and listed stakes in Canada and has reduced the number of graded stakes 41, due to racetracks choosing to place selected races on hold for this season. Additionally, two races with black-type status have been upgraded to listed status for 2021.
According to a press release, the committee reviewed the North American Race Committee (NARC) figures and the Race Quality Scores (RQS) for all graded stakes in Canada. In general, the evaluation indicated slight declines in the performance of most graded stakes races across the country. These numbers will remain on historical record, but were not used to upgrade, downgrade, or place on watch any individual races.
After the review, the committee elevated the Ontario Racing Stakes and the Woodbine Cares Stakes from black type to listed status.
Numerous changes have been made to graded stakes by Woodbine:
The Grade 1 Northern Dancer Turf, the Grade 3 Eclipse, the Grade 2 Nijinsky, and the Grade 2 Play the King were all placed on hold and will not be contested in 2021. The Grade 3 Valedictory has been shortened from 1 3/4 miles to 1 1/2 miles.
The following races have been changed from 3 years old and up to 4 years old and up – the Grade 2 Nassau, the Grade 2 Royal North, the Grade 3 Dominion Day, the Grade 3 Vigil, the Grade 3 Ontario Matron, the Grade 3 Seaway, and the Grade 3 Trillium. The Grade 3 Hendrie goes from 4 years old and up to 3 years old and up.
|
Name of Stakes Race |
Grade |
Distance |
Track |
Age/Sex |
|
Current G1s |
|
|
|
|
|
Canadian International (Pattison) |
G1 |
12T |
WO |
3up |
|
Woodbine Mile (Ricoh) |
G1 |
8T |
WO |
3up |
|
E.P. Taylor Stakes |
G1 |
10T |
WO |
3up f/m |
|
Natalma Stakes |
G1 |
8T |
WO |
2yof |
|
Summer Stakes |
G1 |
8T |
WO |
2yo |
|
Highlander Stakes |
G1 |
6T |
WO |
3up |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current G2s |
|
|
|
|
|
King Edward Stakes |
G2 |
8T |
WO |
3up |
|
Autumn Stakes |
G2 |
8.5 |
WO |
3up |
|
Kennedy Road Stakes |
G2 |
6 |
WO |
3up |
|
Nearctic Stakes |
G2 |
6T |
WO |
3up |
|
Connaught Cup Stakes |
G2 |
7T |
WO |
4up |
|
Nassau Stakes |
G2 |
8T |
WO |
4up f/m |
|
Dance Smartly Stakes |
G2 |
10T |
WO |
3up f/m |
|
Canadian Stakes |
G2 |
9T |
WO |
3up f/m |
|
Bessarabian Stakes |
G2 |
7 |
WO |
3up f/m |
|
Royal North Stakes |
G2 |
6T |
WO |
4up f/m |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current G3s |
|
|
|
|
|
Grey Stakes |
G3 |
8.5 |
WO |
2yo |
|
Mazarine Stakes |
G3 |
8.5 |
WO |
2yof |
|
Marine Stakes |
G3 |
8.5 |
WO |
3yo |
|
BC Premier’s Handicap |
G3 |
11 |
HST |
3up |
|
Seagram Cup Stakes |
G3 |
8.5 |
WO |
3up |
|
Dominion Day Stakes |
G3 |
9 |
WO |
4up |
|
Singspiel Stakes |
G3 |
10T |
WO |
3up |
|
Durham Cup Stakes |
G3 |
8.5 |
WO |
3up |
|
Valedictory Stakes |
G3 |
12 |
WO |
3up |
|
Bold Venture |
G3 |
6.5 |
WO |
4up |
|
Vigil Stakes |
G3 |
6 |
WO |
4up |
|
Ballerina Stakes |
G3 |
9 |
HST |
3up f/m |
|
Ontario Fashion Stakes |
G3 |
6 |
WO |
3up f/m |
|
Seaway Stakes |
G3 |
7 |
WO |
4up f/m |
|
Maple Leaf Stakes |
G3 |
10 |
WO |
3up f/m |
|
Ontario Matron Stakes |
G3 |
8.5 |
WO |
4up f/m |
|
Whimsical Stakes |
G3 |
6 |
WO |
4up f/m |
|
Hendrie Stakes |
G3 |
6.5 |
WO |
3up f/m |
|
British Columbia Derby |
G3 |
9 |
HST |
3yo |
|
Canadian Derby |
G3 |
10 |
CTM |
3yo |
|
Ontario Derby |
G3 |
9 |
WO |
3yo |
|
Selene Stakes |
G3 |
8.5 |
WO |
3yof |
|
Ontario Colleen Stakes |
G3 |
8T |
WO |
3yof |
|
Trillium Stakes |
G3 |
8.5 |
WO |
4up f/m |
|
Jacques Cartier Stakes |
G3 |
6 |
WO |
4up |

