The Jockey Club of Canada's Graded Stakes Committee held its annual review of graded and listed stakes races in Canada. The number of graded stakes in Canada will decrease to 41 in 2021, due to individual racetracks choosing to place selected races on hold. Additionally, two races currently with black-type status–the Ontario Racing S. and the Woodbine Cares S.–will be upgraded to listed status.
The GI Northern Dancer S., GIII Eclipse S., GII Nijinsky S. and the GII Play the King S. have all been placed on hold and will not be held in 2021.
Additionally, the following races have had a change to their age requirement for 2021: the GII Nassau S., GII Royal North S., GIII Dominion Day S. GIII Royal North S., GIII Vigil S., GIII Ontario Matron S., GIII Seaway S., and GIII Trillium S. all change from three year olds and up to four year olds and up. The GIII Hendrie S. changes from four year olds and up to three year olds and up.
The Committee reviewed the North American Race Committee (NARC) figures and the Race Quality Scores (RQS) for all of the graded stakes races in Canada. Last year was recognized as an anomalous year due to the global pandemic. The committee is fully aware of the possibility that some effects of the pandemic may continue in the future.
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