American Graded Stakes Committee | Horse Racing Free Tips

TOBA Names Officers, Three New Trustees to Board

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 challenges for the industry that TOBA plans to be a part of the collaborative effort to address.”

Following its annual members meeting, the TOBA Board of Trustees met to elect officers for the association. Officers named for 2021-2022 are: Brant Laue, chairman, David O'Farrell, vice-chairman, Dan Metzger, president; Doug Cauthen, secretary; and Garrett O'Rourke, treasurer.

The TOBA Board also approved the appointment of Dr. J. David Richardson and reappointments of Everett Dobson and Walker Hancock to the American Graded Stakes Committee. The 2021-2022 committee is comprised of TOBA members Everett Dobson (chair), Barbara Banke, Reynolds Bell, Jr., Craig Bernick, Walker Hancock, and DJ. David Richardson and racing officials Rick Hammerle (Oaklawn Park and Kentucky Downs), Ben Huffman (Churchill Downs and Keeneland), Chris Merz (Santa Anita Park), Martin Panza (NYRA) and Thomas Robbins (Del Mar).

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Perfect Sting Remains Downgraded for 2021

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 one level for that running only. The American Graded Stakes Committee will, however, reviews the running of any race that is automatically downgraded as a result of this policy and may reinstate its former status.

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Off-Turf Pennine Ridge 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 level for that running only. The Committee will, however, review the running of any race that is automatically downgraded as a result of this policy and may reinstate its former status.

Friday's Penn Oaks and Sunday's Paradise Creek S., which were also rained off the turf, will both be recorded as run, as non-listed black-type events.

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Monmouth’s Mr. Prospector Downgraded for ’21

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, it must be run two years before it can be considered for grading.

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