The article outlines the grading system for greyhound racing, detailing how dogs are promoted or demoted based on their performance. Dogs advance one grade when they win a race, up to Grade AA, and are demoted if they fail to finish in the top positions over a series of races. The system ensures competitive balance by matching dogs of similar abilities. Dogs start racing at 17 months and must retire by age five. There are several grades, including Maiden, Juvenile, and Grades A to D. The Racing Secretary is responsible for assigning grades based on past performances and can re-grade dogs under certain conditions. Greyhounds not performing well are eventually dropped from competition, but they may requalify after meeting specific criteria.
Grades
- When a dog wins a race, it is moved UP a grade
- If it doesn't finish in the money for three races in a given class, it is then moved DOWN a grade
- This ensures that all dogs in a race are of nearly the same class
- Dogs have a mandatory "retirement" age of five years at most tracks, and most dogs aren't entered until the age of 17 months
- There are 6 grads of greyhounds, indicated by A,B,C,D,E and Maiden
- The winner of any race is advanced one grade until reaching Grade A
- IF a greyhound fails to finish 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in three consecutive starts (except in Grade D) or fails to earn more than one 3rd in four consecutive starts in the same grade, that greyhound shall be lowered one grade
- In Grade D a greyhound may fail to finished 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th in four consecutive starts before being lowered
- Any greyhound racing in Grade E for four consecutive starts that fails to finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th in those four starts shall be dropped from further racing
Grade Classification
- The Racing Secretary shall be responsible for the proper grading of the greyhounds under the provisions of this section. Before the first day of a race meet, the Racing Secretary, after sufficient schooling of all greyhounds and considering their past performances, shall classify all greyhounds into proper grades.
- There will be either (8) grades of greyhounds indicated as "AA", "A", "BB", "B", "C", "D", "J" (Juvenile), and "M" (Maiden)
- For a greyhound that transfers to the racetrack from another racetrack, the Racing Secretary shall assign the grade help by the greyhound at the time of transfer or the equivalent of such track, depending on the previous track's grading system, or the next two grades higher or lower.
- The Racing Secretary may re-grade a greyhound at any time within its first three starts, but not more than one grade higher or lower. Greyhounds not racing because of illness or injury for 60 days or more much be schooled twice and will be re-graded.
- The Racing Secretary may select greyhounds to fill "feature races" twice each week and these races will be designated as Grade "S". Entries for all other races will be drawn by lot. All Stakes and special races shall be indicated by the letter "S".
- The Racing Secretary may use greyhounds of no more than two different grades for races designated by the letter "T" in the official program. These will be considered mixed grade races.
Advance in Grade
- The winner of any race and the 2nd place finished is advanced one (1) grade until reaching Grade "AA" except that only the winner in an "M" race will advance.
- The winner of a Maiden Race shall be advanced no higher than Grade "J"
- A greyhound that reaches 24 months of age that is a Maiden will be advanced to Grade "J" and will abide by the provisions of the grading system. Such a greyhound will be considered "Graded Maiden" and will be designated in the racing program with the letter "M" after its name. The letter "M" shall remain on this greyhound until such time as it wins an official race.
- At the request of the kennel owner or trainer, the racing secretary may advance a greyhound less than 30 months of age that finishes 3rd or 4th in a Grade "J" race to Grade "D". That greyhound must then abide by the provisions of the grading system in Grade "D". Such a greyhound will be designated in the racing program with the letter "J" after its name. The letter "J" shall remain on this greyhound until such time as it wins a race in Grad "D" or "J".
- A greyhound that fails or is interfered with in a race shall be considered a starter. However, the greyhound shall not be considered a starter if the start would result in the greyhound grading off.
Decline in Grade
- Grade "AA", Grade "A, and Grade "BB" greyhounds shall be lowered if the greyhound fails to finish in the top three positions in two consecutive starts.
- In Grade "B", and Grade "C", greyhounds shall be lowered if the greyhound fails to finish in the top three positions in four consecutive starts.
- In Grade "D" a greyhound that began the current meet as a Maiden or is less than 30 months of age shall be lowered to Grade "J" if it fails to finish in the top four positions in four consecutive starts.
Drop in Eligibility
- In Grade " D" greyhounds that are over 30 months of age will be dropped from further competition should they fail to finish in the top four positions in eight consecutive starts.
- In Grade "J" greyhounds that fail to finish in the top four positions in eight consecutive starts will be dropped from further competition. Greyhounds racing in Grade "J" that become 30 months of age will be advanced to Grade "D" and will be designated in the racing program with a "J" next to its name and will abide by the provisions of the grading system.
- In Grade "M" greyhounds that fail to finish in the top four positions in eight consecutive starts will be dropped from further competition.
Requalification
- Grade "D", "J" and "M" greyhounds who have graded off will be eligible to requalify after a period of 30 days and much school two times and meet the qualifying time. These greyhounds will then receive four additional lines in their respective grade and carry the designation ( R ) next to their name until they win a race.