Moving the April 14 Las Cienegas Handicap at Santa Anita from turf to the main track resulted in the grass race losing its grade III status for this year.
The race had to be moved off the hillside turf course after the track was pounded by more than an inch of rain the day before. Under the policies of the American Graded Stakes Committee, a race that is scheduled for the turf but is moved to the main track is automatically downgraded one grade level for that running only. The race is then reviewed by the AGSC to determine if the original grade should be restored.
“The American Graded Stakes Committee has reviewed the off-the-turf renewal and has determined that the original grade III status will not be reinstated for this renewal,” the AGSC said in a release.
As a result, winner Mizdirection will not be credited with a grade III win and runner-up Teroda and third-place finisher La Nez will not be credited with grade III placings for this running of the race.
Mizdirection in the Las Cienegas
Benoit Photo