Jockey Club of Canada | Horse Racing Free Tips

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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The Jockey Club of Canada has announced the finalists for the 2020 Sovereign Awards, which christens Canada's champions. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 46th Annual Sovereign Awards Ceremony will be held virtually in April. The winners of 12 horse categories and five human categories will be crowned.

Finalists in each category follow. Champion 2-year-old female: 'TDN Rising Star' Alda (Munnings), Dreaming of Drew (Speightster), and 'TDN Rising Star' Lady Speightspeare (Speightstown); champion 2-year-old male: Gretzky the Great (Nyquist), Master Spy (Silent Name {Jpn}), Ready to Repeat (More Than Ready), and Stephen (Constitution); champion 3-year-old female: Artie's Princess (We Miss Artie), Curlin's Voyage (Curlin), and Merveilleux (Paynter); champion 3-year-old male: Belichick (Lemon Drop Kid), Mighty Heart (Dramedy), and 'TDN Rising Star' Shirl's Speight (Speightstown); champion older main track female: Painting (Distorted Humor), Souper Escape (Medaglia d'Oro), and Summer Sunday (Silent Name {Jpn}); champion older main track male: Mr Ritz (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Pink Lloyd (Old Forester), and Skywire (Afleet Alex); champion female turf horse: Elizabeth Way (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Rideforthecause (Candy Ride {Arg}), and Theodora B. (Ghostzapper); champion male turf horse: Count Again (Awesome Again), Say the Word (More Than Ready), and Silent Poet (Silent Name {Jpn}); champion female sprinter: Artie's Princess, Boardroom (Commissioner), and Lady Grace (Kantharos); and champion male sprinter: Not So Quiet (Silent Name {Jpn}), Pink Lloyd, and Silent Poet.

The outstanding broodmare category includes Count to Three (Red Ransom), Danceforthecause (Giant's Causeway), and Include Katherine (Include). Horse of the Year finalists will be announced and a winner anointed at the ceremony.

Finalists for outstanding breeder are Anderson Farms Ont., Inc, Sam-Son Farm, and Tall Oaks Farm; while outstanding owner is between Gary Barber, Live Oak Plantation, and Sam-Son Farm. Kevin Attard, Josie Carroll, and Mark Casse are up for outstanding trainer. The outstanding jockey honored will be either Rafael Manuel Hernandez, Patrick Husbands, or Justin Stein; and outstanding apprentice jockey is a three-way battle between Nikki Alderson, Maurcio Malvaez, and Edgar Zenteno.

Media award finalists will be announced later this month and crowned at the ceremony. Also announced later in February will be the winner of the outstanding groom award and a special Sovereign Award winner.

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