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Number of Graded Stakes in Canada Decreased

The Jockey Club of Canada's Graded Stakes Committee held its annual review of the graded and listed stakes races in Canada and the number of graded stakes in Canada will decrease to 40. The decrease is due partially to individual racetracks choosing to place selected races on hold for the 2022 season and other races that have felt the repercussions of the pandemic. Additionally, two graded stakes races were downgraded.

After reviewing the NARC figures and the RQS numbers for all listed and black-type races in Canada, the committee determined that the Grade I Highlander S. will be downgraded to Grade II status and the Grade III Ballerina S. will be downgraded to listed status. Additionally, the Ascot Graduation Stakes (L) and the British Columbia Oaks (L) are required to reapply for black-type status having not run in 2020 or 2021.

Other changes include the GI Northern Dancer S., GII Nijinsky S. and the GII Play the King S. will not return in 2022 and the GI Pattison Canadian International will be placed on hold for 2022.

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Pricey KEEJAN Purchase Belgrade Up in Time at Tampa

1st-Tampa Bay Downs, $28,600, Alw (NW1X)/Opt. Clm ($75,000), 2-19, 3yo, 7f, 1:24.10, ft, head.
BELGRADE (c, 3, Hard Spun–Miss Prytania, by Eskendereya), a $700,000 KEEJAN purchase earlier this year off the heels of a six-length debut graduation for owner Randy Bradshaw and trainer Brendan Walsh in a maiden special weight reserved for horses that sold or RNA'd for $45,000 or less at auction at Fair Grounds Dec. 18, delivered as the 1-2 favorite after some anxious moments in his first start for his new connections at Tampa Saturday. Off to a stumbling beginning from his rail draw, Belgrade trailed the field of six in the early stages. Racing in some traffic while under a snug hold following a :23.29 opening quarter, he rolled up into the clear four deep to challenge for command on the far turn, and kept on coming in the stretch with a sustained rally to wear down Morgan Point (Jess's Dream) by a head. The winner's dam, a half-sister to GI Belmont S. third Medal Count (Dynaformer), has a Practical Joke filly of 2020 ($150,000 KEENOV purchase by OXO Equine) and Accelerate colt of 2021 in the pipeline. She was bred to Army Mule for 2022. Sales history: $45,000 Ylg '20 FTKSEL; $700,000 3yo '22 KEEJAN. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $35,400. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O-Carl F. & Yurie Pascarella; B-J. R. Ward Stables LLC (KY); T-H. Graham Motion.

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Bombdiggity Becomes 30th Rising Star for Into Mischief

Stonestreet Stables' Bombdiggity became the 30th 'TDN Rising Stars' for her super sire Into Mischief with an impressive score at Fair Grounds. Bumped at the start of her unveiling at Churchill Downs Nov. 6, the $600,000 KEESEP purchase faded to be sixth after setting the early pace. Receiving Lasix for the first time in this sophomore bow, Bombdiggity broke much better this time around, jumping up to take immediate control. Coasting through a :22.66 first quarter, the bay was well within herself as she turned for home in front after a half in :46.28. Opening up with ease in the lane, Bombdiggity sailed home to a dominant 6 3/4-length graduation. Ride the Plan (Candy Ride {Arg}) filled the place spot.

The winner is a half to 'TDN Rising Star' Carribean Caper (Speightstown), GSW, $345,595. Their stakes-placed dam Checkupfromzneckup summoned $825,000 from WinStar at the 2017 Keeneland November Sale. She aborted her first foal, making Carribean Caper her first live produce, followed by Bombdiggity. Her 2020 filly, now named Dixie Tap (Tapit), brought $990,000 from West Point, Scarlet Oak Racing and NBS Stable at last term's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. The 11-year-old mare had a Quality Road colt Apr. 27 of last year and is back in foal to that stallion

7th-Fair Grounds, $52,000, Msw, 2-18, 3yo/up, f/m, 6f, 1:10.02, ft, 6 3/4 lengths.
BOMBDIGGITY, f, 3, Into Mischief
1st Dam: Checkupfromzneckup (SP, $187,470), by Dixie Union
2nd Dam: Unbridled Lassie, by Unbridled
3rd Dam: Lassie Connection, by Seattle Slew
Sales history: $600,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $32,379. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree, or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG. O-Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen.

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First Foals Arrive for Name Changer

The first two foals by Name Changer, winner of the 2018 GIII Monmouth Cup S., are fillies bred by Colts Neck Stables LLC, which raced the son of Uncle Mo throughout his career, and Kaz Hill Farm, where he retired to stud last year.

Colts Neck's filly is out of Fastener, an allowance winning Roman Ruler mare whose dam is a full sister to the dam of GI Kentucky Derby winner and leading sire Street Sense.

Kaz Hill's filly is out of Shanghai Shuffle, a winning daughter of Shanghai Bobby and stakes-placed Bailzee.

“These first two foals are the spitting image of Name Changer himself–with plenty of leg, great shoulders and all-around athleticism,” said Kaz Hill Farm manager Sal Martin. “If all his babies turn out this nicely, we're going to be spending a lot of time in the winner's circle at Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct starting in 2024.”

Name Changer stands at Peter Kazamias' Kaz Hill Farm in Middletown, NY.

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