The Jockey Club of Canada's Graded Stakes Committee held its annual review of the Graded and Listed Stakes in Canada and chose to upgrade four stakes at Woodbine, while downgrading one at Northlands Park.
The Summer S., run at a mile on turf for 2-year-olds, was bumped up from a Grade II to a Grade I, as was the Highlander S., contested at six furlongs on grass for 3-year-olds and up. The Royal North S., also run on the lawn at six panels for 3-year-olds and up but for fillies and mares, was boosted from a Grade III to a Grade II. The Trillium S., previously Listed, is now a Grade III. The Speed to Spare S. will lose its black-type status in 2018 and is therefore disqualified from Listed status.
All in all, there will be 45 Graded Stakes run in Canada this year, consisting of seven Grade I's, 14 Grade II's and 24 Grade III's. Forty-one of those will be run at Woodbine, with Hastings hosting three and Northlands one.
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