The American Graded Stakes committee is made up of members of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, they are tasked with assigning a grade – (I, II, or III) to major American horse races. The most prestigious races with the most history, quality of competition, and purse structure earn a Grade I ranking. Notable Grade I races include the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Races.

The are some conditions that must be met before a race can earn a grade; the race must have a purse of greater than $75,000. The race must have been run for at least two consecutive years under the same racing conditions (age, sex, distance, surface, etc.), and that the participants in the race are subject to post race drug testing. Also, the race may only be restricted by age and gender – no other conditions may apply. When a race meets the previous conditions it can be reviewed by the committee and earn a graded status. The committee looks at the overall quality of the horses that have run in previous editions of the race – which races did they run in prior to running this race and how competitive were they in those races? A newly created race can earn a graded status sooner provided that the horses running in the race have other graded stakes on their resumes and they were competitive in those races. Below is a list of the Graded Stakes run in America along with their conditions.