Pair of Breeders' Cup races elevated

Horseracing Betting Lines

11/25/2008 - Lexington, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two of the three Breeders' Cup races introduced in 2007 have been granted Grade I status for 2009 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. A third Breeders' Cup event has been designated as a Grade II stakes.

The committee met on Monday, November 24 in Lexington and decided that the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, along with the Dirt Mile, are worthy of the top designation of Grade I. Gaining Grade II for the coming year is the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. All three races were run for the first time last year when Monmouth Park hosted the World Thoroughbred Championships.

"We are pleased that the Graded Stakes Committee recognized the world-class quality of the competition in our new races," said Pamela Blatz-Murff, Senior Vice President, Breeders' Cup Racing, "and we believe its decision, along with the enthusiastic reaction of the top owners and trainers in the world, is another validation of our expansion from eight to 14 championship races."

Also elevated to Grade I are the Jamaica Handicap at Belmont Park, Pat P. Brien and Clement L. Hirsch Handicaps at Del Mar and Keeneland's Vinery Madison Stakes.

The committee lowered the status of Belmont Park's Suburban Handicap from Grade I to II.

Along with the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, six other stakes were upgraded to Grade II, most notably the West Virginia Derby held at Mountaineer Park.

Among the 10 stakes moved up to Grade III are the Massachusetts Handicap at Suffolk Downs and the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

"I am very pleased by the Graded Stakes Committee's decision," said Peter Berube, Vice President and General Manager of Tampa Bay Downs, "as the Sam F. Davis has become an integral part of the Tampa Bay Downs stakes program."

The Committee reviewed 746 unrestricted U.S. stakes races with a purse of at least $75,000, and assigned graded status to 488 of them, seven more than were graded in 2008.

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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