The 2026 numbers
| Tier | Count | Share of graded races |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | 92 | 22.4% |
| Grade 2 | 136 | 33.2% |
| Grade 3 | 182 | 44.4% |
| Graded total | 410 | 100% |
| Listed and listed-restricted | 211 | below the graded tier |
The committee reviewed 942 US stakes races with purses of $75,000 or more at its grading session in December 2025. The graded total of 410 is five fewer than the year before, which reflects how the committee works: grades are earned by the quality of the fields a race actually draws, and they move.
What changed for 2026
One race joined the top tier: the Ladies Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs was upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1. Moving the other way, the Franklin-Simpson at Kentucky Downs and the Frank E. Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita were both downgraded from Grade 1 to Grade 2.
Changes like these are the reason a race's reputation and its current grade can drift apart. A guide written five years ago may call a race Grade 1 when the current list says otherwise, so for anything that depends on the exact grade, check the current year's list.
Every 2026 Grade 1 race
These are all 92 Grade 1 races for 2026, extracted from the official TOBA table on July 21, 2026 and lightly cleaned for reading (sponsor "presented by" clauses removed). Five year-end California races had no confirmed date in the source at extraction time, and two Breeders' Cup distances are shown per the official Breeders' Cup conditions where the TOBA table disagreed.
| Race | Track | Date (2026) | Division | Distance | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes | Gulfstream Park, FL | Jan 24 | 3 and older | 1 1/8 mi | Dirt |
| Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes | Gulfstream Park, FL | Jan 24 | 3 and older | 1 1/8 mi | Turf |
| B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile Stakes | Santa Anita Park, CA | Mar 7 | 3 and older, fillies/mares | 1 mile | Dirt |
| Santa Anita Handicap | Santa Anita Park, CA | Mar 7 | 3 and older | 1 1/4 mi | Dirt |
| Curlin Florida Derby | Gulfstream Park, FL | Mar 28 | 3-year-olds | 1 1/8 mi | Dirt |
| Arkansas Derby | Oaklawn Park, AR | Mar 28 | 3-year-olds | 1 1/8 mi | Dirt |
| Central Bank Ashland Stakes | Keeneland, KY | Apr 3 | 3-year-olds, fillies/mares | 1 1/16 mi | Dirt |
| Santa Anita Derby | Santa Anita Park, CA | Apr 4 | 3-year-olds | 1 1/8 mi | Dirt |
| Resolute Racing Madison Stakes | Keeneland, KY | Apr 4 | 3 and older, fillies/mares | 7f | Dirt |
| Toyota Blue Grass Stakes | Keeneland, KY | Apr 4 | 3-year-olds | 1 1/8 mi | Dirt |
| Maker's Mark Mile Stakes | Keeneland, KY | Apr 10 | 3 and older | 1 mile | Turf |
| Apple Blossom Handicap | Oaklawn Park, AR | Apr 11 | 3 and older, fillies/mares | 1 1/16 mi | Dirt |
| Jenny Wiley Stakes | Keeneland, KY | Apr 11 | 3 and older, fillies/mares | 1 1/16 mi | Turf |
| Longines Kentucky Oaks | Churchill Downs, KY | May 1 | 3-year-olds, fillies/mares | 1 1/8 mi | Dirt |
| Fasig-Tipton La Troienne Stakes | Churchill Downs, KY | May 1 | 3 and older, fillies/mares | 1 1/16 mi | Dirt |
| Kentucky Derby | Churchill Downs, KY | May 2 | 3-year-olds | 1 1/4 mi | Dirt |
| Derby City Distaff Stakes | Churchill Downs, KY | May 2 | 3 and older, fillies/mares | 7f | Dirt |
| Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes | Churchill Downs, KY | May 2 | 3 and older | 1 1/8 mi | Turf |
| Churchill Downs Stakes | Churchill Downs, KY | May 2 | 3 and older | 7f | Dirt |
| American Turf Stakes | Churchill Downs, KY | May 2 | 3-year-olds | 1 1/16 mi | Turf |
| Preakness Stakes | Laurel Park, MD | May 16 | 3-year-olds | 1 3/16 mi | Dirt |
| Gamely Stakes | Santa Anita Park, CA | May 25 | 3 and older, fillies/mares | 1 1/8 mi | Turf |
| Shoemaker Mile Stakes | Santa Anita Park, CA | May 25 | 3 and older | 1 mile | Turf |
| Ogden Phipps Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Jun 5 | 3 and older, fillies/mares | 1 1/8 mi | Dirt |
| New York Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Jun 5 | 3 and older, fillies/mares | 1 3/16 mi | Turf |
| DraftKings Acorn Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Jun 5 | 3-year-olds, fillies/mares | 1 1/8 mi | Dirt |
| Belmont Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Jun 6 | 3-year-olds | 1 1/4 mi | Dirt |
| Just a Game Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Jun 6 | 3 and older, fillies/mares | 1 mile | Turf |
| Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap | Saratoga, NY | Jun 6 | 3 and older | 1 mile | Dirt |
| Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Jun 6 | 3 and older | 1 3/16 mi | Turf |
| Jaipur Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Jun 6 | 3 and older | 5 1/2f | Turf |
| Woody Stephens Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Jun 6 | 3-year-olds | 7f | Dirt |
| Stephen Foster Stakes | Churchill Downs, KY | Jun 27 | 3 and older | 1 1/8 mi | Dirt |
| Belmont Oaks Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Jul 4 | 3-year-olds, fillies/mares | 1 1/8 mi | Turf |
| Belmont Derby Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Jul 4 | 3-year-olds | 1 1/8 mi | Turf |
| NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes | Monmouth Park, NJ | Jul 18 | 3-year-olds | 1 1/8 mi | Dirt |
| Dunkin' Diana Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Jul 18 | 3 and older, fillies/mares | 1 1/8 mi | Turf |
| Bing Crosby Stakes | Del Mar, CA | Jul 25 | 3 and older | 6f | Dirt |
| Coaching Club American Oaks Invitational Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Jul 25 | 3-year-olds, fillies/mares | 1 1/8 mi | Dirt |
| Clement L. Hirsch Stakes | Del Mar, CA | Aug 1 | 3 and older, fillies/mares | 1 1/16 mi | Dirt |
| Arlington Million Stakes | Colonial Downs, VA | Aug 1 | 3 and older | 1 1/4 mi | Turf |
| Whitney Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Aug 8 | 3 and older | 1 1/8 mi | Dirt |
| Fourstardave Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Aug 8 | 3 and older | 1 mile | Turf |
| Test Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Aug 8 | 3-year-olds, fillies/mares | 7f | Dirt |
| Saratoga Derby | Saratoga, NY | Aug 8 | 3-year-olds | 1 3/16 mi | Turf |
| Christophe Clement Turf Stakes (formerly Sword Dancer Stakes) | Saratoga, NY | Aug 15 | 3 and older | 1 1/2 mi | Turf |
| Pacific Classic Stakes | Del Mar, CA | Aug 22 | 3 and older | 1 1/4 mi | Dirt |
| Del Mar Oaks | Del Mar, CA | Aug 22 | 3-year-olds, fillies/mares | 1 1/8 mi | Turf |
| Alabama Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Aug 22 | 3-year-olds, fillies/mares | 1 1/4 mi | Dirt |
| Personal Ensign Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Aug 29 | 3 and older, fillies/mares | 1 1/8 mi | Dirt |
| Resorts World Casino Ballerina Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Aug 29 | 3 and older, fillies/mares | 7f | Dirt |
| Forego Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Aug 29 | 3 and older | 7f | Dirt |
| DraftKings Travers Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Aug 29 | 3-year-olds | 1 1/4 mi | Dirt |
| H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Aug 29 | 3-year-olds | 7f | Dirt |
| Ladies Turf Sprint Stakes | Kentucky Downs, KY | Aug 29 | 3 and older, fillies/mares | 6 1/2f | Turf |
| Del Mar Debutante Stakes | Del Mar, CA | Sep 5 | 2-year-olds, fillies/mares | 7f | Dirt |
| Spinaway Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Sep 5 | 2-year-olds, fillies/mares | 7f | Dirt |
| Del Mar Futurity | Del Mar, CA | Sep 6 | 2-year-olds | 7f | Dirt |
| Spendthrift Hopeful Stakes | Saratoga, NY | Sep 6 | 2-year-olds | 7f | Dirt |
| Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes | Belmont Park, NY | Sep 18 | 3 and older | 1 1/4 mi | Dirt |
| Cotillion Stakes | Parx Racing, PA | Sep 19 | 3-year-olds, fillies/mares | 1 1/16 mi | Dirt |
| Pennsylvania Derby | Parx Racing, PA | Sep 19 | 3-year-olds | 1 1/8 mi | Dirt |
| Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes | Belmont Park, NY | Sep 26 | 3 and older | 1 1/2 mi | Turf |
| Goodwood Stakes | Santa Anita Park, CA | Sep 26 | 3 and older | 1 1/8 mi | Dirt |
| Darley Alcibiades Stakes | Keeneland, KY | Oct 2 | 2-year-olds, fillies/mares | 1 1/16 mi | Dirt |
| Champagne Stakes | Belmont Park, NY | Oct 3 | 2-year-olds | 1 mile | Dirt |
| Frizette Stakes | Belmont Park, NY | Oct 3 | 2-year-olds, fillies/mares | 1 mile | Dirt |
| American Pharoah Stakes | Santa Anita Park, CA | Oct 3 | 2-year-olds | 1 1/16 mi | Dirt |
| Claiborne Breeders' Futurity | Keeneland, KY | Oct 3 | 2-year-olds | 1 1/16 mi | Dirt |
| First Lady Stakes | Keeneland, KY | Oct 3 | 3 and older, fillies/mares | 1 mile | Turf |
| Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes | Keeneland, KY | Oct 3 | 3 and older | 1 mile | Turf |
| Juddmonte Spinster Stakes | Keeneland, KY | Oct 4 | 3 and older, fillies/mares | 1 1/8 mi | Dirt |
| Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes | Keeneland, KY | Oct 10 | 3-year-olds, fillies/mares | 1 1/8 mi | Turf |
| Breeders' Cup Juvenile | Keeneland, KY | Oct 30 | 2-year-olds | 1 1/16 mi | Dirt |
| Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies | Keeneland, KY | Oct 30 | 2-year-olds, fillies/mares | 1 1/16 mi | Dirt |
| Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf | Keeneland, KY | Oct 30 | 2-year-olds, fillies/mares | 1 mile | Turf |
| Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf | Keeneland, KY | Oct 30 | 2-year-olds | 1 mile | Turf |
| Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint | Keeneland, KY | Oct 30 | 2-year-olds | 5 1/2f | Turf |
| Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff | Keeneland, KY | Oct 31 | 3 and older, fillies/mares | 1 1/8 mi | Dirt |
| Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf | Keeneland, KY | Oct 31 | 3 and older, fillies/mares | 1 3/16 mi | Turf |
| PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint | Keeneland, KY | Oct 31 | 3 and older, fillies/mares | 7f | Dirt |
| Longines Breeders' Cup Classic | Keeneland, KY | Oct 31 | 3 and older | 1 1/4 mi | Dirt |
| Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile | Keeneland, KY | Oct 31 | 3 and older | 1 mile | Dirt |
| Longines Breeders' Cup Turf | Keeneland, KY | Oct 31 | 3 and older | 1 1/2 mi | Turf |
| FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile | Keeneland, KY | Oct 31 | 3 and older | 1 mile | Turf |
| Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint | Keeneland, KY | Oct 31 | 3 and older | 6f | Dirt |
| Prevagen Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint | Keeneland, KY | Oct 31 | 3 and older | 5 1/2f | Turf |
| Matriarch Stakes | Del Mar, CA | Nov-Dec (date TBA) | 3 and older, fillies/mares | 1 mile | Turf |
| Hollywood Derby | Del Mar, CA | Nov-Dec (date TBA) | 3-year-olds | 1 1/8 mi | Turf |
| American Oaks | Santa Anita Park, CA | Nov-Dec (date TBA) | 3-year-olds, fillies/mares | 1 1/4 mi | Turf |
| La Brea Stakes | Santa Anita Park, CA | Nov-Dec (date TBA) | 3-year-olds, fillies/mares | 7f | Dirt |
| Malibu Stakes | Santa Anita Park, CA | Nov-Dec (date TBA) | 3-year-olds | 7f | Dirt |
Where the official list lives
TOBA publishes the authoritative list, downloadable by year, with every graded and listed race, its track, and its date. Our table above covers the Grade 1 tier; for the 136 Grade 2, 182 Grade 3, and 211 listed races, the official page is the document of record.
For what the grades actually mean when you read a race card, start with our guide to what graded stakes actually mean, then the black type and listed races explainer for the tiers below the graded ladder.
Common questions
How many graded stakes races are there in 2026?
410 in the United States: 92 Grade 1, 136 Grade 2, and 182 Grade 3, plus 211 listed races. The totals come from the American Graded Stakes Committee's December 2025 grading session.
Who decides which races are graded?
The American Graded Stakes Committee, organized by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA). It reviews eligible US stakes annually and assigns, upgrades, downgrades, or removes grades based on the quality of horses the race has attracted.
Can a race's grade change?
Yes, grades are re-evaluated every year. For 2026 the Ladies Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs was upgraded to Grade 1, while the Franklin-Simpson and the Frank E. Kilroe Mile were downgraded from Grade 1 to Grade 2.
Primary sources
The documents of record
Counts and changes on this page come from TOBA's official 2026 announcement, accessed July 21, 2026.