The 2018 AQHA graded stakes list is now available.

© Q Racing

Find a list of 2018 graded stakes at www.aqha.com/racing.

Stakes grades are reviewed by the Graded Stakes Committee and ultimately approved by AQHA’s Executive Committee.

In 2018, six races will have their grades promoted. Among them is the Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity, which will rise from a Grade 3 to a Grade 2. The TQHA Classic Stakes will go from a Restricted Grade 3 to a Restricted Grade 2.

Formerly non-graded stakes that will become Grade 3s are the SLM Big Daddy Stakes, Amelia Belle Stakes (Restricted), Mighty Deck Three Stakes (Restricted) and New Mexico State Fair Breeders’ Futurity (Restricted).

There are also a few stakes that will have their grades lowered.

Races that will go from a Grade 2 designation to a Grade 3 designation are the Heritage Place Derby, James Isaac Hobbs Stakes, Los Alamitos Distaff Challenge, West Texas Maturity, Mesilla Valley Speed Handicap (Restricted), Mid-City Stakes (Restricted), Shue Fly Stakes (Restricted) and TQHA Sale Futurity (Restricted).

Additionally, these stakes will all become ungraded: La Plata Stakes, Prairie Meadows Distance Challenge, Remington Distaff Challenge, Black Gold 350 Futurity (Restricted), Black Gold 440 Futurity (Restricted), Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Derby (Restricted), Easy Jet Stakes (Restricted), Four Corners Senora Stakes (Restricted), Futurity Garanones (Restricted), Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby (Restricted), The Treme Derby (Restricted), Tommy ”Duke” Smith 

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHARacing on Twitter, watch the AQHA Racing Newscast and visit www.aqharacing.com.