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.
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