Graded Stakes Schedule Set for Canada

The Jockey Club of Canada's Canadian Graded Stakes Committee has released its 2004 list of graded stakes, which numbers 38 races, with three graded I events, the Pattison Canadian International, Atto Mile, and E.P. Taylor, all of which are contested at Woodbine.

The only new stakes to receive graded status this year is the seven-furlong Seaway at Woodbine, which moved to grade III status, according to a report in the Daily Racing Form.

The grade I Selene Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies, was downgraded to grade II status, and the British Columbia Derby at Hastings Park, formerly a grade II, was downgraded to grade III status.

Northlands Park in Alberta will host the grade III Canadian Derby. Both the Alberta Derby and Manitoba Derby lost their grade III status.

The Nassau Stakes at Woodbine dropped from a grade II to a grade III and the Ontario Derby lost its grade III status.