Stakes Races — What They Are, How They’re Graded, and Why the Best Horses Run Them
A stakes race is a higher-level race in which owners nominate horses and often pay entry-related fees, with purses supported by those fees plus money added by the track or sponsor. In Thoroughbred racing, stakes races usually mean stronger competition, bigger purses, and lasting value for the horse. Grading tiers: Races scale from Listed up …