Cotillion Stakes Upgraded to Grade 1 For 2012

The North American Graded Stakes Committee recently upgraded the $750,000 Cotillion Stakes to Grade 1 status, due in part to the stellar fields of three-year-old fillies the race has attracted in recent seasons. Additionally, three other races were assigned Grade 3 status: the Smarty Jones Stakes, the Dr. Penny Handicap and the Greenwood Handicap.

The Cotillion and the Smarty Jones Stakes are both part of Parx’ Fall Festival of Racing, five weeks offering stakes racing every weekend. The Greenwood Cup Handicap is part of the “Win and You’re In” Breeders Cup Challenge for the BC Marathon. This year’s Marathon winner was Afleet Again, who was third in the Cup.

All in all, 18 Breeders Cup contenders prepped at Parx Racing for the Championships, including Turf Sprint winner Regally Ready, and Cotillion winner Plum Pretty, who was 5th in the Lady’s Classic. Wilburn, who won the Smarty Jones Stakes, was 7th in the Dirt Mile.