It is the policy of the American Graded Stakes Committee that a race that is scheduled for the turf course, but is moved to the dirt track after the closing of nominations because the turf course is unsuitable for racing, is automatically downgraded one grade level for that running only. The American Graded Stakes Committee will, however, promptly review the running of any race that is automatically downgraded as a result of this policy, and may reinstate its former grade.
Last weekend's running of the Lawrence Realization Handicap (gr. IIIT) run at Belmont Park has been downgraded to an ungraded listed race. The downgrade only affects the 2002 running that took place on Oct. 12.The American Graded Stakes Committee has reviewed the race, which was taken off the turf and run on the main track, and determined it's original grade III status will not be reinstated.The race, for 3-year-olds run at 1 1/2 miles over a sloppy track, was won by Eugene and Laura Melnyk's Fisher Pond. Fisher Pond, a 3-year-old son of A.P. Indy, out of the Alydar mare Chipeta Springs, is trained by Todd Pletcher. Second in the race was Blue Sky Farm and Fred Martin's Irish Colonial. Third was Ronald and Alfred Lepinski and Martin Nixon's Extra Check.