AGSC: Hopeful returned to G1 status..

[Kasept]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...es-now-grade-i

The Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park and Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga Race Course have been granted grade I status by the American Graded Stakes Committee, which met Nov. 28 in Lexington.

The AGSC said it reviewed 673 unrestricted United States stakes races with a purse of at least $75,000 and assigned graded status to 457 of them, eight fewer than were graded in 2012. Listed status was given to 201 races; this is the first year the committee is charged with assessing listed status.

In all, five graded races were upgraded including the two grade I events and three grade II races. In addition, there is one grade II race and six grade III races that had held listed status.

Nine races that carried graded status in 2012 are no longer eligible for grading.

Three races were downgraded from grade I to grade II for 2013: the Charles Whittingham Memorial Stakes at Betfair Hollywood Park, Gazelle Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack, and the Santa Monica Stakes at Santa Anita Park.