McKnight reinstated as Grade 2

MIAMI - When last Saturday’s W.L. McKnight Handicap was taken off the turf due to heavy rain, the race was automatically downgraded from a Grade 2 to Grade 3 event pending evaluation by the American Graded Stakes Committee. Four days later, the committee reinstated the McKnight’s original grading, a decision based on the quality of the field, which included Grade 1 winners Prince Will I Am and Presious Passion. As a result of the decision, Prince Will I Am will now be credited with a Grade 2 win for his victory in the McKnight.

One horse who scratched from the McKnight due to the switch in surfaces, trainer Shug McGaughey’s Rescue Squad, worked an easy furlongs in 48.21 and galloped out five-eighths in 1:01.60 over the main track at Gulfstream on Thursday. Rescue Squad could make his next start in the Grade 3 Fort Lauderdale at Gulfstream on Jan. 9.

◗ Drosselmeyer, who has not started since winning the Belmont Stakes on June 5, breezed an easy three furlongs in 39 at Payson Park on Wednesday. The work was the first for Drosselmeyer since he was taken out of training due to ankle problems in July.