Month: March 2021

Churchill Downs’ Spring Meet Stakes Schedule Worth Record $13.44 Million

Led by America's greatest race, the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 1, Churchill Downs will present 40 stakes races cumulatively worth a record $13.44 million during its 38-day Spring Meet that runs April 24-June 26.

Derby Week (April 24-May 1) kicks off the nine-week 147th Spring Meet in style with 18 stakes events that total a record $10.14 million over the six-day stretch, culminating with the 147th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade 1) for 3-year-olds at 1 ¼ miles.

Half of the 14 races on Derby Day are stakes races, including four Grade 1 events: the Derby; $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic; $500,000 Churchill Downs presented by Ford and $500,000 Derby City Distaff. There also will be a trio of Grade 2 events: the $500,000 Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile; $500,000 Pat Day Mile presented by LG&E and KU; and $500,000 American Turf.

One day earlier, Churchill Downs will host the Derby's female counterpart, the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) at 1 1/8 miles – the nation's most lucrative race for 3-year-old fillies. The six stakes that day total $3 million: the Oaks; $500,000 La Troienne (G1); $400,000 Alysheba (G2); $300,000 Eight Belles presented by Smithfield (G2); $300,000 Edgewood (G2); and $250,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint presented by Sysco (G2).

Derby Week stakes action that precedes Oaks and Derby days includes the $125,000 William Walker on Opening Night, Saturday, April 24; the newly-renamed $120,000 Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight Stakes on Champions Day, Tuesday, April 27, which honors the legendary African-American who was a three-time Derby winner and arguably the greatest jockey American racing has ever known; $125,000 Kentucky Juvenile on Wednesday, April 28; and the $150,000 Unbridled Sidney and $120,000 Opening Verse Overnight Night Stakes on Thurby, Thursday, April 29.

After Derby Week, there will be 22 stakes worth a total of $3.3 million.

Stephen Foster Preview Day is Saturday, May 29 with seven stakes that total $825,000: the $125,000 Matt Winn (G3); $125,000 Regret (G3); $125,000 Aristides (Listed); $125,000 Blame; $125,000 Shawnee; $100,000 Audubon; and $100,000 Douglas Park Overnight Stakes.

The $600,000 Stephen Foster (G2), which annually attracts some of the nation's top older horses, is situated on closing day, Saturday, June 26, for a second consecutive year. The 1 1/8-mile race anchors a seven-race stakes bonanza that totals $1.6 million and includes the $250,000 Fleur de Lis (G2) for fillies and mares and $250,000 Wise Dan (G2) for turf horses.

The lucrative prize money is attributed to returns from historical horse racing at Derby City Gaming, Churchill Downs Incorporated's $65 million facility that opened September 2018 at nearby 4520 Poplar Level Road.

The first condition book of scheduled races features $106,000 maiden races on Derby Week and $91,000 maiden races after Derby. The Churchill Downs stable area reopens Tuesday, March 16, and the first day of training is Friday, March 19.

2021 CHURCHILL DOWNS SPRING MEET STAKES SCHEDULE

Date Running Grade Purse Race Conditions Distance Surface
Saturday, April 24 6th Listed $125,000 William Walker 3yo 5 ½ F Turf
Tuesday, April 27 3rd   $120,000 Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight Stakes 4&up 1 ½ M Dirt
Wednesday, April 28 27th   $125,000 Kentucky Juvenile 2yo 5 F Dirt
Thursday, April 29 11th   $150,000 Unbridled Sidney 3&up, f&m 5 ½ F Turf
Thursday, April 29 16th   $120,000 Opening Verse Overnight Stakes 4&up 1 M Turf
Friday, April 30 147th I $1,250,000 Longines Kentucky Oaks 3yo f 1 1/8 M Dirt
Friday, April 30 36th I $500,000 La Troienne 4&up, f&m 1 1/16 M Dirt
Friday, April 30 18th II $400,000 Alysheba 4&up 1 1/16 M Dirt
Friday, April 30 66th II $300,000 Eight Belles presented by Smithfield 3yo f 7 F Dirt
Friday, April 30 37th II $300,000 Edgewood 3yo f 1 1/16 M Turf
Friday, April 30 27th II $250,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint presented by Sysco 3&up 5 ½ F Turf
Saturday, May 1 147th I $3,000,000 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve 3yo 1 ¼ M Dirt
Saturday, May 1 35th I $1,000,000 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic 4&up 1 1/8 M Turf
Saturday, May 1 86th I $500,000 Churchill Downs presented by Ford 4&up 7 F Dirt
Saturday, May 1 35th I $500,000 Derby City Distaff 4&up, f&m 7 F Dirt
Saturday, May 1 36th II $500,000 Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile 4&up, f&m 1 M Turf
Saturday, May 1 97th II $500,000 Pat Day Mile presented by LG&E and KU 3yo 1 M Dirt
Saturday, May 1 30th II $500,000 American Turf 3yo 1 1/16 M Turf
Saturday, May 8 2nd   $100,000 Mamzelle Overnight Stakes 3yo f 5 F Turf
Saturday, May 15 84th III $125,000 Louisville 4&up 1 ½ M Turf
Saturday, May 22 18th III $125,000 Winning Colors 4&up, f&m 6 F Dirt
Saturday, May 22 8th   $100,000 Keertana Overnight Stakes 4&up, f&m 1 ½ M Turf
Saturday, May 29 24th III $125,000 Matt Winn 3yo 1 1/16 M Dirt
Saturday, May 29 52nd III $125,000 Regret 3yo f 1 1/8 M Turf
Saturday, May 29 33rd Listed $125,000 Aristides 4&up 6 F Dirt
Saturday, May 29 2nd   $125,000 Blame 4&up 1 1/8 M Dirt
Saturday, May 29 2nd   $125,000 Shawnee 4&up, f&m 1 1/16 M Dirt
Saturday, May 29 2nd   $100,000 Audubon 3yo 1 1/8 M Turf
Saturday, May 29 1st   $100,000 Douglas Park Overnight Stakes 4&up 1 1/16 M Turf
Saturday, June 5 5th   $100,000 Mighty Beau Overnight Stakes 3&up 5 F Turf
Saturday, June 12 45th III $125,000 Old Forester Mint Julep 4&up, f&m 1 1/16 M Turf
Saturday, June 19 11th   $100,000 Roxelana Overnight Stakes 3&up, f&m 6 ½ F Dirt
Friday, June 25 11th   $100,000 Kelly's Landing Overnight Stakes 3&up 7 F Dirt
Saturday, June 26 40th II $600,000 Stephen Foster 4&up 1 1/8 M Dirt
Saturday, June 26 46th II $250,000 Fleur de Lis 4&up, f&m 1 1/8 M Dirt
Saturday, June 26 32nd II $250,000 Wise Dan 4&up 1 1/16 M Turf
Saturday, June 26 120th III $125,000 Bashford Manor 2yo 6 F Dirt
Saturday, June 26 120th Listed $125,000 Debutante 2yo f 6 F Dirt
Saturday, June 26 2nd   $125,000 War Chant 3yo 1 M Turf
Saturday, June 26 2nd   $125,000 Tepin 3yo f 1 M Turf

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U.S. Mare Confirmed In Foal to Daredevil

Striking Style (Smart Strike) is the first mare confirmed in foal to Daredevil (More Than Ready–Chasethewildwind, by Forty Niner) since his return to the U.S., Lane's End announced Monday. The 10-year-old mare, owned by Bill Harrigan, Mike Pietrangelo and Caldara Farm, is a half-sister to graded-placed Aquitaine (Empire Maker).

Daredevil, the sire of GI Kentucky Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil and GI Preakness S. winner and champion 3-year-old filly Swiss Skydiver, stands at Lane's End for $25,000.

The post U.S. Mare Confirmed In Foal to Daredevil appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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John and Thady Gosden to Share Licence Beginning This Season

Champion trainer John Gosden will train with his son, Thady, under a shared licence as soon as the younger Gosden's papers are approved by the British Horseracing Authority. Thady completed his training modules at the British Racing school and the duo's joint tenure is set to begin at Clarehaven this season. The news was confirmed to the Racing Post and was suggested on the TDN Writers' Room podcast on Feb 23.

“I'm lucky I have a son, Thaddeus who's very interested,” Gosden, who will be 70 this month, said on the podcast. “I have a great team working around me. I'm just very keen over the next two or three years to see the baton passed over, if you like. We're allowed now in this country to train two people on a licence like they do in Australia…Then hopefully by the time two or three years down the road, they simply won't need me around anymore.”

The post John and Thady Gosden to Share Licence Beginning This Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Churchill Spring Stakes Worth Record $13.44 Million

Churchill Downs will offer 40 stakes races worth a record $13.44 million during its upcoming Spring Meet, which runs from Apr. 24 through June 26. The nine-week meeting kicks off Derby week with 18 stakes worth $10.14 million and culminating with the 147th running of the $3-million GI Kentucky Derby May 1. The Derby day stakes line-up includes the $1-million GI Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic; $500,000 GI Churchill Downs S. presented by Ford; and $500,000 GI Derby City Distaff. The marquee race day also includes the $500,000 GII Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile; $500,000 GII Pat Day Mile presented by LG&E; and $500,000 GII American Turf.

The $1.25-million GI Kentucky Oaks headlines an Apr. 30 card which also includes the $500,000 GI La Troienne S.; $400,000 GII Alysheba S.; $300,000 GII Eight Belles presented by Smithfield; $300,000 GII Edgewood S.; and $250,000 GII Twin Spires Turf Sprint presented by Sysco.

The $600,000 GII Stephen Foster S. anchors a June 26 card which also includes the $250,000 GII Fleur de Lis S.; $250,000 GII Wise Dan S.; and $125,000 GIII Bashford Manor S.

Race to Honor Three-Time Derby-Winning Jockey

The upcoming Churchill spring meet will recognize the legacy of legendary African-American jockey Isaac Murphy with the Apr. 27 running of the $120,000 Isaac Murphy Marathon.

“Churchill Downs strongly believes in preserving and sharing the stories of the African-American jockeys who are an integral part of the legacy of the Kentucky Derby,” said Churchill Downs Racetrack President Mike Anderson. “As we continue to recognize key contributors to our storied history, we believe now more than ever, it is critical to develop new ways to share these stories widely by incorporating them into our Derby Week traditions.

“Since 2015, Churchill Downs has kicked off Derby Week on Opening Night by recognizing William “Billy” Walker, Sr. with the William Walker S. This year, it is a privilege to also honor Isaac Murphy by re-naming the Champions Day Marathon to the Isaac Murphy Marathon. It is important to amplify the stories of these great jockeys, to acknowledge the painful truths that led to their exclusion from horse racing in our country more than 100 years ago and to herald their legendary contributions to our sport and to the Kentucky Derby.”

More information about Murphy is detailed online at www.racingmuseum.org/hall-of-fame/jockey/isaac-b-murphy.

The post Churchill Spring Stakes Worth Record $13.44 Million appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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