Churchill September & Fall Meets to Feature 22 Stakes

Churchill Downs will feature 22 black-type races worth $7.01 million during the upcoming September and Fall Meets, the storied track announced Friday. With a new $10-million turf course currently being installed, racing will be exclusively on the main track until the Spring Meet. The September Meet, to be held Sept. 16-Oct. 3, will have 11 stakes worth a total of $3.26 million, while the Fall Meet will take place Oct. 31-Nov. 28 and will feature another 11 stakes totaling $3.75 million.

The highlight of the second half of the year at Churchill Downs is always the GI Clark H. presented by Norton Healthcare. Worth $750,000 for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/8 miles, the Clark is being run for the 147th time this year and will be held on its traditional Friday-after-Thanksgiving date, Nov. 26. Another highlight will be the start of the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” and the “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” series with the $300,000 GIII Iroquois S. and the $300,000 GIII Pocahontas S., both to be held Saturday, Sept. 18. Both races are also Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” Challenge events, which means the winners will receive automatic berths for their respective Breeders' Cup races on Nov. 5 at Del Mar with full entry fees and travel expenses paid.

The Churchill stable area was closed in July due to the work on the turf course. Horsemen can return to Churchill for stabling on Wednesday, Sept. 8. The main track will be open for training Thursday, Sept. 9.

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Spectators Allowed at Churchill’s Fall Meet

Churchill Downs will open its 131st Fall Meet Sunday, Oct. 25, by allowing spectators for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began this past spring. It will mark the first time this year that fans can attend live racing at Churchill.

The Louisville track will continue to follow the COVID-19 health and safety protocols mandated by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Temperature checks, medical questionnaires, physical distancing and mandatory face coverings will be required. Capacity will be limited as per Kentucky’s requirements for venues and event spaces. Last year’s average daily attendance during the Fall Meet was 4,200.

There will be no general admission, but reserved box seats will be sold for prices ranging from $5-$12. Dining options will also be available for a range of $39-$72. Children ages 12 and under are free, as is parking.

Tickets may be purchased online at churchilldowns.com/tickets/. For updated information on Churchill’s safety guidelines and procedures, visit churchilldowns.com/tickets/admissions-services/updates.

Sunday’s 11-race program, which will feature the 16th annual “Stars of Tomorrow I” card for 2-year-olds, will kick off at 1 p.m. ET. The meet runs for 24 days over five weeks through Nov. 29, except Nov 6-7, when the Breeders’ Cup will be held at Keeneland.

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