Three Grade 1's run in Canada
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Three Grade 1 stakes will be run in Canada in 2005, topped by the Canadian International, which offers a record purse of $2 million. A total of 37 stakes will be graded for this year, the Canadian Graded Stakes Committee announced Tuesday.
The other two Grade 1 stakes are the E.P. Taylor and Atto Mile, both worth $1 million.
The three Grade 1's are all scheduled to be run on the Woodbine turf course, as are the country's nine Grade 2 races, including the upgraded Nassau and Play the King Handicap.
Woodbine's Grey, Mazarine, and Selene stakes were downgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 3. The Seagram Cup, also at Woodbine, has been awarded Grade 3 status, and the Toronto Cup has been dropped.
Hastings, in Vancouver, will host four Grade 3 stakes, led by the $250,000 British Columbia Derby. The Premier's Handicap, also at Hastings, has lost its Grade 3 status.
Northlands Park, in Edmonton, is the only other Canadian track with a graded stakes, the Grade 2, $250,000 Canadian Derby.
The Canadian Graded Stakes Committee was formed in 1999 after Canada opted out of the North American program. Stakes grades are recognized internationally for sales cataloging purposes.
Races must have a minimum purse of $250,000 for Grade 1 eligibility, $150,000 for Grade 2, and $100,000 for Grade 3.
Restricted races do not qualify for graded status.
2005 Canadian graded stakes schedule
| DATE | EVENT | CONDITIONS | DISTANCE | PURSE |
| WOODBINE | GRADE 1 | � | � | � |
| Oct. 23 | Canadian International | 3YO & Up | 1 1/2 miles (T) | $2,000,000 |
| Sept. 18 | Atto Mile | 3YO & Up | 1 mile (T) | 1,000,000 |
| Oct. 23 | E.P. Taylor | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 1/4 miles (T) | 1,000,000 |
| � | GRADE 2 | � | � | � |
| Oct. 23 | Nearctic | 3YO & Up | 6 furlongs (T) | $500,000 |
| Sept. 18 | Canadian | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 1/8 miles (T) | 300,000 |
| July 24 | Chinese Cultural Centre | 3YO&Up | 1 3/8 miles (T) | 300,000 |
| July 3 | King Edward BC | 3YO & Up | 1 1/8 miles (T) | 300,000 |
| June 4 | Nassau | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles (T) | 300,000 |
| Sept. 5 | Niagara BC | 3YO & Up | 1 1/2 miles (T) | 300,000 |
| Oct. 2 | Sky Classic | 3YO & Up | 1 3/8 miles (T) | 300,000 |
| Sept. 18 | Summer | 2YO | 1 mile (T) | 250,000 |
| Aug. 27 | Play the King | 3YO & Up | 7 furlongs (T) | 200,000 |
| � | GRADE 3 | � | � | � |
| July 16 | Dance Smartly | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 1/8 miles (T) | $300,000 |
| Oct. 10 | Grey BC | 2YO | 1 1/16 miles | 250,000 |
| Oct. 1 | Mazarine BC | 2YO F | 1 1/16 miles | 250,000 |
| May 22 | Selene | 3YO F | 1 1/16 miles | 250,000 |
| July 1 | Dominion Da | 3YO & Up | 1 1/4 miles | 200,000 |
| June 26 | Highlander | 3YO & Up | 6 furlongs | 200,000 |
| Nov. 12 | Maple Leaf | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 1/4 miles | 175,000 |
| Dec. 3 | Bessarabian | F&M, 3YO & Up | 7 furlongs | 150,000 |
| May 29 | Connaught Cup | 4YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles (T) | 150,000 |
| Aug. 13 | Duchess | 3YO F | 7 Furlongs | 150,000 |
| Oct. 15 | Durham Cup | 3YO & Up | 1 1/8 Miles | 150,000 |
| May 23 | Eclipse | 4YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles | 150,000 |
| May 15 | George C. Hendrie | F&M, 4YO & Up | 6 1/2 furlongs | 150,000 |
| May 21 | Marine | 3YO | 1 1/16 Miles | 150,000 |
| Sept. 11 | Natalma | 2YO F | 1 mile (T) | 150,000 |
| Aug. 1 | Royal North | F&M, 3YO & Up | 6 furlongs (T) | 150,000 |
| July 30 | Seagram Cup | 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles | 150,000 |
| Sept10 | Seaway | F&M, 3YO & Up | 7 furlongs | 150,000 |
| April 30 | Vigil | 4YO & Up | 7 furlongs | 150,000 |
| Nov. 19 | Woodbine Slots Cup | 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles | 150,000 |
| HASTINGS | GRADE 3 | � | � | � |
| Sept. 24 | British Columbia Derby | 3YO | 1 1/8 miles | $250,000 |
| Oct. 15 | Ballerina BC | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 1/8 miles | 150,000 |
| Sept. 4 | British Columbia BC Oaks | 3YO F | 1 1/8 miles | 150,000 |
| July 1 | Lt. Governors' | 3YO & Up | 1 1/8 miles | 125,000 |
| NORTHLANDS | GRADE 3 | � | � | � |
| Aug. 27 | Canadian Derby | 3YO | 1 3/8 miles | $250,000 |