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Blue Grass Stakes Resumes Grade 1 Status; Secretariat, Flower Bowl Downgraded For 2022

The American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association today presented its listing of U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes Races for February 2022 through January 2023, the results of its annual grading session conducted Jan. 26 and 27.

The Committee reviewed 891 U.S. stakes races with a purse of at least $75,000, and assigned Graded status to 449 of them, four more than were graded in 2021, and Listed status to 204 races. Eight Graded races were upgraded; three new Grade 1 and five new Grade 2 races were named; 13 new Grade 3 races were identified. Twenty new Listed races and two new Listed-Restricted races were upgraded from non-Listed Black Type status.

Three races were upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1 status for February 2022 through January 2023: the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, Toyota Blue Grass S. at Keeneland and New York S. at Belmont Park.

The Blue Grass Stakes was last run as a Grade 1 in 2016. The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint is being upgraded to Grade 1 status for the first time since its debut in 2018.

Two races were downgraded from Grade 1 to Grade 2 status for February 2022 through January 2023: the Secretariat S. at Arlington Park and Flower Bowl S. at Saratoga.

Five races were upgraded to Grade 2 status for February 2022 through January 2023: the Lukas Classic S. at Churchill Downs; Wonder Again S. and Bed o' Roses S. at Belmont Park; Fanduel Turf Sprint S. at Kentucky Downs; and Shuvee S. at Saratoga.

Four races were downgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 3 status for February 2022 through January 2023: the Falls City S. at Churchill Downs; Best Pal S. at Del Mar; and Adirondack S. and Bernard Baruch H. at Saratoga.

Thirteen races were upgraded to Grade 3 status for February 2022 through January 2023: the Jockey Club Derby Invitational S., Jockey Club Oaks Invitational S. and Pebbles S. at Belmont Park; Street Sense S. at Churchill Downs; Del Mar Juvenile Turf S. at Del Mar; Bryan Station S. at Keeneland; Dueling Grounds Derby and Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon S. at Kentucky Downs; Essex H., Hot Springs S. and Oaklawn Mile S. at Oaklawn Park; and Surfer Girl S. and Zuma Beach S. at Santa Anita Park.

Nine races were downgraded from Grade 3 to Listed status for February 2022 through January 2023: the Excelsior S. at Aqueduct; Bashford Manor S. at Churchill Downs; Longacres Mile H. at Emerald Downs; Gulfstream Park Sprint S. at Gulfstream Park; Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash S. at Laurel Park; Los Alamitos Derby at Los Alamitos Race Course; Parx Dash S. at Parx Racing; and Astra S. and Lazaro Barrera S. at Santa Anita Park.

Twenty races were upgraded to Listed status for February 2022 through January 2023: the Awad S. and Winter Memories S. at Aqueduct; Blame S., Kelly's Landing S., Mamzelle Overnight S., Mighty Beau Overnight S., Opening Verse Overnight S., Shawnee S., and Unbridled Sidney S. at Churchill Downs; Marie G. Krantz Memorial S. at Fair Grounds; Limestone Turf Sprint S., Palisades Turf Sprint S., and Perryville S. at Keeneland; Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile S. and Music City S. at Kentucky Downs; Temperence Hill S. at Oaklawn Park; Prince George's County S. at Pimlico; Baffle S. and Speakeasy S. at Santa Anita Park; and Galway S. at Saratoga.

Two races were upgraded to Listed-Restricted status for February 2022 through January 2023: the Oceanside S. at Del Mar and One Dreamer S. at Kentucky Downs.

Nine races were downgraded from Listed to non-Listed Black Type status for February 2022 through January 2023: the Arlington-Washington Futurity at Arlington Park; Mystic Lake Derby at Canterbury Park; Indiana General Assembly Distaff S., Indiana Grand S. and Mari Hulman George Memorial S. at Indiana Grand; Dave's Friend S. at Laurel Park; Satin and Lace S. at Presque Isle Downs; She's All In S. at Remington Park; and Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park.

All Graded and Listed races from 2021 maintained their eligibility for February 2022 through January 2023.

Following is a summary breakdown of all grade levels and a complete list of all upgraded and downgraded U.S. races for the period from February 2022 through January 2023 as well as the complete list of February 2022 through January 2023 Graded and Listed stakes.

2022-23 Gr. Stakes Number % Graded %Eligible Change from 2021

Grade I 101 22.5% +1

Grade II 135 30.1% –

Grade III 213 47.4% +3

All Graded 449 50.4%

Listed 192 21.5%

Listed – Restricted 12 1.3%

Non-Listed Eligible 238 26.7%

All Gr., L & NLE Races 891

TOBA American Graded Stakes Committee Summary of Decisions Made at January 26 and 27, 2022 Grading Session

RACES UPGRADED FOR FEBRUARY 2022 through JANUARY 2023:

Two-Year-Old Fillies

Surfer Girl S. (T) (Santa Anita Park) Listed to Grade III

Three-Year-Old Fillies

Wonder Again S. (T) (Belmont Park) Grade III to Grade II

Jockey Club Oaks Invitational S. (T) (Belmont Park) non-Listed Black Type to Grade III

Pebbles S. (T) (Belmont Park) Listed to Grade III

Winter Memories S. (T) (Aqueduct) non-Listed Black Type to Listed

Mamzelle Overnight S. (T) (Churchill Downs) non-Listed Black Type to Listed

Limestone Turf Sprint S. (T) (Keeneland) non-Listed Black Type to Listed

Music City S. (T) (Kentucky Downs) non-Listed Black Type to Listed

Galway S. (T) (Saratoga) non-Listed Black Type to Listed

Older Fillies and Mares

New York S. (T) (Belmont Park) Grade II to Grade I

Shuvee S. (Saratoga) Grade III to Grade II

Bed o' Roses S. (Belmont Park) Grade III to Grade II

Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon S. (T) (Kentucky Downs) Listed to Grade III

Shawnee S. (Churchill Downs) non-Listed Black Type to Listed

Unbridled Sidney S. (T) (Churchill Downs) non-Listed Black Type to Listed

Marie G. Krantz Memorial S. (T) (Fair Grounds) non-Listed Black Type to Listed

One Dreamer S. (T) (Kentucky Downs) non-Listed Black Type to Listed-Restricted

Two-Year-Olds

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (T) (Breeders' Cup) Grade II to Grade I

Street Sense S. (Churchill Downs) Listed to Grade III

Del Mar Juvenile Turf S. (T) (Del Mar) Listed to Grade III

Zuma Beach S. (T) (Santa Anita Park) Listed to Grade III

Awad S. (T) (Aqueduct) non-Listed Black Type to Listed

Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile S. (T) (Kentucky Downs) non-Listed Black Type to Listed

Speakeasy S. (T) (Santa Anita Park) non-Listed Black Type to Listed

Three-Year-Olds

Toyota Blue Grass S. (Keeneland) Grade II to Grade I

Jockey Club Derby Invitational S. (T) (Belmont Park) non-Listed Black Type to Grade III

Bryan Station S. (T) (Keeneland) non-Listed Black Type to Grade III

Dueling Grounds Derby (T) (Kentucky Downs) Listed to Grade III

Perryville S. (Keeneland) non-Listed Black Type to Listed

Palisades Turf Sprint S. (T) (Keeneland) non-Listed Black Type to Listed

Baffle S. (T) (Santa Anita Park) non-Listed Black Type to Listed

Oceanside S. (T) (Del Mar) non-Listed Black Type to Listed-Restricted

Older Horses

Lukas Classic S. (Churchill Downs) Grade III to Grade II

Fanduel Turf Sprint S. (T) (Kentucky Downs) Grade III to Grade II

Essex H. (Oaklawn Park) Listed to Grade III

Oaklawn Park Mile S. (Oaklawn Park) Listed to Grade III

Hot Springs S. (Oaklawn Park) Listed to Grade III

Blame S. (Churchill Downs) non-Listed Black Type to Listed

Temperence Hill S. (Oaklawn Park) non-Listed Black Type to Listed

Opening Verse Overnight S. (T) (Churchill Downs) non-Listed Black Type to Listed

Prince George's County S. (T) (Pimlico) non-Listed Black Type to Listed

Kelly's Landing S. (Churchill Downs) non-Listed Black Type to Listed

Mighty Beau Overnight S. (T) (Churchill Downs) non-Listed Black Type to Listed

RACES DOWNGRADED FOR FEBRUARY 2022 through JANUARY 2023:

Two-Year-Old Fillies

Adirondack S. (Saratoga) Grade II to Grade III

Three-Year-Old Fillies

Bourbonette Oaks (Turfway Park) Listed to non-Listed Black Type

Indiana Grand S. (T) (Indiana Grand) Listed to non-Listed Black Type

Older Fillies and Mares

Flower Bowl S. (T) (Saratoga) Grade I to Grade II

Falls City S. (Churchill Downs) Grade II to Grade III

Astra S. (T) (Santa Anita Park) Grade III to Listed

Mari Hulman George Memorial S. (Indiana Grand) Listed to non-Listed Black Type

She's All In S. (Remington Park) Listed to non-Listed Black Type

Indiana General Assembly Distaff S. (T) (Indiana Grand) Listed to non-Listed Black Type

Satin and Lace S. (Presque Isle Downs) Listed to non-Listed Black Type

Two-Year-Olds

Best Pal S. (Del Mar) Grade II to Grade III

Bashford Manor S. (Churchill Downs) Grade III to Listed

Arlington-Washington Futurity (Arlington Park) Listed to non-Listed Black Type

Three-Year-Olds

Secretariat S. (T) (Arlington Park) Grade I to Grade II

Los Alamitos Derby (Los Alamitos) Grade III to Listed

Lazaro Barrera S. (Santa Anita Park) Grade III to Listed

Mystic Lake Derby (T) (Canterbury Park) Listed to non-Listed Black Type

Older Horses

Bernard Baruch H. (T) (Saratoga) Grade II to Grade III

Excelsior S. (Aqueduct) Grade III to Listed

Longacres Mile H. (Emerald Downs) Grade III to Listed

Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash S. (Laurel Park) Grade III to Listed

Gulfstream Park Sprint S. (Gulfstream Park) Grade III to Listed

Parx Dash S. (T) (Parx Racing) Grade III to Listed

Dave's Friend S. (Laurel Park) Listed to non-Listed Black Type

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Keeneland Announces Record $7.7 Million In Purses For Revitalized 2022 Spring Meet Stakes Schedule

Keeneland will award a record $7.7 million for 19 stakes to be run during the 2022 Spring Meet, to be held April 8-29. The schedule features increased purses for all stakes and significant changes to the season's two historic classic preps: The purse of the Toyota Blue Grass (G2) for 3-year-olds on the first Saturday of the season has been restored to $1 million, and the Central Bank Ashland (G1) for 3-year-old fillies has moved to opening day of the meet and is worth a record $600,000.

Contributing to the stakes purse increases is a total of $1.5 million available from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF), pending approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Purses for some stakes doubled for 2022, most prominently the Maker's Mark Mile (G1) increased from $300,000 to $600,000, Stonestreet Lexington (G3) from $200,000 to $400,000 and Ben Ali (G3) from $150,000 to $300,000. Others, such as the Kentucky Utilities Transylvania (G3), Beaumont (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select and Shakertown (G2) received significant boosts.

During the 15-day Spring Meet, Keeneland will contest a total of 10 stakes on grass and nine stakes on dirt while offering multiple stakes on six days. Post time for the first race each day is 1 p.m. ET.

Keeneland will be closed for racing on Easter Sunday, April 17.

“Keeneland is thrilled to offer such a lucrative Spring Meet stakes schedule for horsemen, horseplayers and racing fans,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “Keeneland is coming off a record-breaking 2021 in terms of wagering, which we are reinvesting in purse money to further elevate our racing program. We look forward to world-class racing this April setting the stage for a huge racing year that will continue with the Fall Meet in October and the return of the Breeders' Cup World Championships on Nov. 4-5.”

The 98th running of the Toyota Blue Grass and the 85th running of the Central Bank Ashland both are worth 170 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks, respectively. The winners of each stakes will earn 100 qualifying points to the respective classic.

The early nomination deadline for the two stakes is Feb. 19. Late nominations are due March 23.

The Central Bank Ashland, at 1 1/16 miles, is one of three stakes for sophomores on opening day of the Spring Meet. The others are worth $400,000 each: the Kentucky Utilities Transylvania (G3), a 1 1/16-mile turf race, and the return of the Lafayette, a 7-furlong dirt race.

The Lafayette was a fixture for 3-year-olds during the Spring Meets of 1937-2008. The race was run for older horses in 2015 and 2020 on the undercard of the Breeders' Cup.

“Keeneland in the spring is about 3-year-olds blossoming into talented runners, and we have focused on enhancing those stakes in particular to attract the best sophomores in the country,” Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell said. “Moving the Central Bank Ashland to opening day makes the start of the Spring Meet extra special and provides a showcase for this historic Grade 1 event, which is the division's first Grade 1 race of the year. And the fact that Easter Sunday falls on the second Sunday of the meet – when Keeneland is closed for racing – allows us to present a blockbuster opening weekend with 10 stakes worth a total of $4.55 million.”

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Five of those stakes will be run opening Saturday, led by the Toyota Blue Grass, Keeneland's signature Triple Crown prep. For 2022, the purse of the 1 1/8-mile race has been increased from $800,000 in 2021 and returns to the $1 million status of 2015-2019.

The other stakes that day are the $500,000 Madison (G1), for fillies and mares at 7 furlongs; $400,000 Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association for 3-year-old fillies at 1 mile on the grass; $350,000 Shakertown (G2), for 3-year-olds and up at 5½ furlongs on the turf; and $300,000 Commonwealth (G3), for older horses at 7 furlongs.

Opening Sunday will present two stakes for 3-year-olds: the $400,000 Beaumont (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select, at 7 furlongs, 184 feet, on dirt for fillies; and the $200,000 Palisades, at 5½ furlongs on the grass. The Beaumont is worth 17 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, with the winner collecting 10 points.

For the remainder of the Spring Meet, racing will be held Wednesday through Sunday with the exception of Easter Sunday.

Stakes action returns Friday, April 15, with the $600,000 Maker's Mark Mile (G1), for 4-year-olds and up at 1 mile on turf, and the $200,000 TVG Limestone, for 3-year-old fillies going 5½ furlongs on the grass.

Saturday, April 16, will present three stakes: $500,000 Jenny Wiley (G1), a 1 1/16-mile turf race for fillies and mares; $400,000 Stonestreet Lexington (G3), for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles; and $200,000 Giant's Causeway (L) a 5½-furlong turf race for fillies and mares.

The Stonestreet Lexington, which is the final prep on this year's Road to the Kentucky Derby, awards 34 Derby qualifying points. The winner will earn 20 points.

Four graded stakes on the remaining days of the season will showcase older horses. The first is the $300,000 Baird Doubledogdare (G3), for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles, on Friday, April 22.

Two stakes will be run Saturday, April 23: $350,000 Elkhorn (G2), at 1½ miles on the turf, and $300,000 Ben Ali (G3), at 1 1/8 miles on dirt. The Ben Ali was moved from the second Saturday of the season.

The April 29 closing-day feature is the $300,000 Bewitch (G3), for fillies and mares racing 1½ miles on the turf.

Keeneland 2022 Spring Meet Stakes Schedule

Date	Stakes	*KTDF Contribution to Purse**	Division	Distance
April 8	$600,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1)	$100,000	3YO Fillies	1 1/16 Miles
April 8	$400,000 Kentucky Utilities Transylvania (G3)	$100,000	3YOs	1 1/16 Miles (T)
April 8	$400,000 Lafayette	$100,000	3YOs	7 Furlongs
April 9	$1 Million Toyota Blue Grass (G2)	$150,000	3YOs	1 1/8 Miles
April 9	$500,000 Madison (G1)	$100,000	4YOs & Up, F&M	7 Furlongs
April 9	$400,000 Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association	$100,000	3YO Fillies	1 Mile (T)
April 9	$350,000 Shakertown (G2)	$50,000	3YOs & Up	5½ Furlongs (T)
April 9	$300,000 Commonwealth (G3)	$50,000	4YO & Up	7 Furlongs
April 10	$400,000 Beaumont (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select	$100,000	3YO Fillies	7 Furlongs, 184'
April 10	$200,000 Palisades	$50,000	3YO	5½ Furlongs (T)
April 15	$600,000 Maker's Mark Mile (G1)	$100,000	4YOs & Up	1 Mile (T)
April 15	$200,000 TVG Limestone	$50,000	3YO Fillies	5½ Furlongs (T)
April 16	$500,000 Jenny Wiley (G1)	$100,000	4YOs & Up, F&M	1 1/16 Miles (T)
April 16	$400,000 Stonestreet Lexington (G3)	$100,000	3YOs	1 1/16 Miles
April 16	$200,000 Giant's Causeway (L)	$50,000	3YOs & Up, F&M	5½ Furlongs (T)
April 22	$300,000 Baird Doubledogdare (G3)	$50,000	4YOs & Up, F&M	1 1/16 Miles
April 23	$300,000 Ben Ali (G3)	$50,000	4YOs & Up	1 1/8 Miles
April 23	$350,000 Elkhorn (G2)	$50,000	4YOs & Up	1½ Miles (T)
April 29	$300,000 Bewitch (G3)	$50,000	4YOs & Up, F&M	1½ Miles (T)

*Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund. All KTDF purse allotments are subject to approval of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

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Rombauer ‘Made A Nice Little Progression From 2 To 3,’ Will Start In Preakness Stakes

John and Diane Fradkin's Rombauer, third in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) in his most recent start, is headed to the May 15 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course.

“That's the plan,” trainer Michael McCarthy said Monday.

The homebred son of Twirling Candy automatically qualified for a starting berth in the 146th Preakness with his victory in the El Camino Real Derby on Feb. 13 at Golden Gate Fields. He was third, beaten 5¾ lengths in the Blue Grass behind champion Essential Quality and Highly Motivated, who finished fourth and 10th, respectively, in Saturday's Kentucky Derby (G1).

Since Rombauer has been most effective running from off the pace, McCarthy said the Blue Grass did not suit him because there was no early speed in the race at Keeneland.

“The horse laid a little closer than I would have liked but ran a credible third,” McCarthy said.

Rombauer was second by three-quarters of a length in the American Pharoah (G1) on Sept. 26 at Santa Anita and completed his 2-year-old season with a fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) on Nov. 6 at Keeneland.

“He's done everything and made a nice little progression from 2 to 3,” McCarthy said. “He's put on a little weight. He's a horse that takes pretty good care of himself, so he's been pretty easy that way.”

McCarthy said that Rombauer will have his final work at Santa Anita and will ship to Pimlico early next week.

Get Her Number, who defeated Rombauer by three-quarters of a length in the American Pharoah, will not run in the Preakness, trainer Peter Miller said Monday.

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Hidden Stash, Likely To Make Derby Field, Fires Bullet Workout At Keeneland

BBN Racing's Hidden Stash began preparations for a likely start in the Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve by working a half-mile in :47.80 Wednesday morning at Keeneland shortly after the track opened for training at 5:30 a.m. The work was the best of 23 at the distance for the morning.

Working in company with 4-year-old allowance winner Kentucky Ghost and unraced 3-year-old Social Chatter, Hidden Stash produced fractions of :12.60, :24.40, :36.60 and :47.80, catching up to his workmates at the wire after starting 8 lengths back. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:00 and six furlongs in 1:13.80 over a fast track with jockey Rafael Bejarano aboard.

Fourth in Keeneland's Toyota Blue Grass (G2) in his most recent start, Hidden Stash ranks 21st on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. The top 20 point earners to pass the entry box will be in the starting gate for the $3 million race. A few horses ahead of Hidden Stash are considered not likely to enter.

The bullet work put to rest any concerns trainer Vicki Oliver might have had about Hidden Stash being tired following his Toyota Blue Grass run.

“I thought he worked really well and we beat the rain,” Oliver said, referring to a steady rain that began at 6:15 a.m. “I was going to work Thursday, Friday or Saturday. I was watching the weather and I wanted to get a decent work in, so we went this morning.”

Oliver plans to work Hidden Stash again on Saturday, April 24 and ship to Churchill Downs the morning of Tuesday, April 27. The colt by Constitution is familiar with Churchill, where he raced twice last year and picked up one of his two career victories.

Under operation for less than three years, BBN Racing is proud of its accomplishments with such runners as Grade 1 winner Concrete Rose, raced in partnership with Ashbrook Farm, and Grade 2-placed Hidden Stash.

In Kentucky, “BBN” means only one thing: the University of Kentucky fandom. The enthusiastic group inspired the racing operation's name.

“BBN Racing does stand for Big Blue Nation, not because all the partners are from Kentucky – most of the partners are huge sports fans,” said Braxton Lynch, a Founding Partner of BBN Racing with Brian Klatsky and Brendan O'Brien. “Big Blue Nation is known for its enthusiasm and passion and that's what we wanted to capture with BBN Racing. It's made up of friends and family who watched horse racing from the sidelines and has given them a chance to participate, while spreading the (investment) risk.”

Hidden Stash, a colt by Constitution bred in Kentucky by Rhineshire Farm, comes from the family of Grade 1 winner and sire Sky Mesa and Grade 1 winner Maxfield. Vinery Sales, agent for Rhineshire Farm, consigned him to the September Sale, where he sold to BBN for $50,000.

“He was quite immature at the time,” Lynch said, “and I remember thinking that we might have just found a diamond in the rough. Either that or just a piece of coal. Luckily, he's looking more and more like a diamond.”

Trained by Vicki Oliver, Hidden Stash received his early training at Keeneland. He scored his first career victory here during the 2020 Fall Meet and next won an allowance race at Churchill Downs. Hidden Stash was third in the Sam F. Davis (G3) and second in the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2) in his first two starts at 3.

“This horse is tactical and can adapt to whatever options are thrown at him,” Lynch said. “He's a horse that has improved with every race. We've been itching to stretch him out, and I think he's slowly maturing into the kind of horse we hoped he would be. He tries hard every time, and that's all you can ask these athletes to do.”

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