The Schuylerville Stakes is a Grade III horse racing event held on the Saratoga Race Course every year in Saratoga Springs, New York. Though not necessarily one of the major stakes races in the U.S., it is nevertheless a popular thoroughbred horse race. It used to be classed as a Grade II stakes race but was downgraded in 2006. Let’s look at what graded stakes races are to get a better understanding of the popularity of the Schuylerville Stakes.
What is a Graded Stakes Race?
A graded stakes race refers to any thoroughbred horse race in North America that gets its name for the entry fee the owners of the horses need to pay. The money the owners pay to enter their horses in the race, along with an extra sum put into the pot by racetrack, is then used to pay out the prizes for the racers that come in first, second, and third. Sometimes, horses that finish fourth also get a portion of the prize money.
There are different grade levels with Grade I stakes being considered major stakes races due to the larger prizes and the more powerful competing horses. The most famous horse races are generally Grade I stakes horse racing events.
A thoroughbred horse race is awarded its grade by the American Graded Stakes Committee. This committee uses a wide range of criteria to determine the grade of a horse racing event, including a minimum purse requirement, the longevity of the race, government drug testing, and more.
Note that if a race isn’t held for one year, it can still keep its grade. However, any race that is dormant for longer will have to be re-graded.
A Little More about the Schuylerville Stakes
The Schuylerville Stakes gets its name from a town close to where the event is held each year, known as Schuylerville, of course. The tradition is for the Schuylerville Stakes to open the Saratoga meet every year, though it wasn't always so. From 1943 to 1945 the race was held at the Belmont Park and in 1952 the Jamaica Racetrack—which has since closed—played host to this horse racing event.
It is run on a dirt track, over a distance of six furlongs. The purse up for grabs is currently $150,000. While it may not necessarily be one of the most famous horse races, the Schuylerville Stakes is still a graded stakes race and the purse is relatively attractive, especially since it gives horses a chance to compete that could never stand a chance in major stakes races.
What is a Graded Stakes Race?
A graded stakes race refers to any thoroughbred horse race in North America that gets its name for the entry fee the owners of the horses need to pay. The money the owners pay to enter their horses in the race, along with an extra sum put into the pot by racetrack, is then used to pay out the prizes for the racers that come in first, second, and third. Sometimes, horses that finish fourth also get a portion of the prize money.
There are different grade levels with Grade I stakes being considered major stakes races due to the larger prizes and the more powerful competing horses. The most famous horse races are generally Grade I stakes horse racing events.
A thoroughbred horse race is awarded its grade by the American Graded Stakes Committee. This committee uses a wide range of criteria to determine the grade of a horse racing event, including a minimum purse requirement, the longevity of the race, government drug testing, and more.
Note that if a race isn’t held for one year, it can still keep its grade. However, any race that is dormant for longer will have to be re-graded.
A Little More about the Schuylerville Stakes
The Schuylerville Stakes gets its name from a town close to where the event is held each year, known as Schuylerville, of course. The tradition is for the Schuylerville Stakes to open the Saratoga meet every year, though it wasn't always so. From 1943 to 1945 the race was held at the Belmont Park and in 1952 the Jamaica Racetrack—which has since closed—played host to this horse racing event.
It is run on a dirt track, over a distance of six furlongs. The purse up for grabs is currently $150,000. While it may not necessarily be one of the most famous horse races, the Schuylerville Stakes is still a graded stakes race and the purse is relatively attractive, especially since it gives horses a chance to compete that could never stand a chance in major stakes races.
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