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MSW Purses to Trend Upward at Keeneland, Churchill

Purses for maiden special weight (MSW) races are projected to trend upward this spring at both Keeneland Race Course and Churchill Downs.

Track executives disclosed the pre-condition book figures during Tuesday's Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF) advisory board meeting.

“The MSWs for older horses are going to be $100,000. And the [MSW races for] 2-year-olds are going to be $80,000,” said Keeneland's vice president of racing, Gatewood Bell.

At Keeneland's 2021 spring meet, the comparable MSW purse levels were $79,000 and $60,000.

Mike Ziegler, the senior vice president and general manager at Churchill, told KTDF board members that, “We have yet to finalize our purse structure for the upcoming meet. I expect them to be probably right in line with where they were in the fall, which was at $120,000 for [MSW races].”

In the spring of 2021, Churchill carded two levels of MSW money. For the lead-in to the GI Kentucky Derby, the purses were $115,000. After that, those races were written for $100,000.

Bell also outlined the allowance purse structure for Keeneland's April meet: Starting at the 1x condition, purses will be $110,000, with consecutive bumps upward of $10,000 for each the 2x, 3x, and open allowance levels, maxing out at $140,000.

Rick Hiles, the president of the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, said, “I think it's great. Just don't leave out the claiming races. Make sure the guys that are running their horses in the claiming races every day are well-compensated, too.”

Bell said he agreed, and that Keeneland's condition book–which will come out later this week or sometime next week–will reflect claiming purse increases “just to help bolster those races that [don't] qualify for the KTDF funds.”

When prodded by KTDF advisory committee chair Bill Landes, III to give a glimpse of what purse levels might look like in the fall when Keeneland hosts the Breeders' Cup, Bell said the “hope [is] that it'll carry from the spring right into the fall and look fairly similar.”

When Churchill follows Keeneland in the spring rotation, it will open this year with a new turf course in place. Construction and seeding of that surface prevented Churchill from carding grass races last fall.

Ziegler noted that Churchill will be adding three Wednesday programs in June, making for two five-date weeks of racing and one six-date week that concludes with a Monday, July 4, holiday card.

It was not discussed at the meeting how that outlying six-date final week might adversely affect the available horse population at Ellis Park, which has a scheduled July 8 opening.

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Coolmore to Sponsor Turf Mile at Keeneland

Coolmore will sponsor the $1-million GI Turf Mile for 3-year-olds and up on Oct. 8, 2022 as part of the Keeneland Fall Meet's opening FallStars Weekend.

The 2022 Coolmore Turf Mile will mark the 25th year that a Keeneland stakes race will be sponsored by the powerful international operation, which owns nearby Ashford Stud in Lexington. Coolmore sponsored the GIII Lexington S. from 1998-2015 and GI Jenny Wiley S. from 2016-2021.

“Coolmore is a long and loyal supporter of Keeneland from the sales ring to the race track, and we appreciate their strong commitment to racing,” Keeneland Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell said. “The Turf Mile is one of the most prestigious races in the world, and we are excited to have an internationally respected partner such as Coolmore as its sponsor.”

Keeneland's 17-day Fall Meet will be held Oct. 7-29, followed by the Breeders' Cup World Championships on Nov. 4-5.

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Keeneland Announces Record $7.7 Million In Purses For Revitalized 2022 Spring Meet Stakes Schedule

Keeneland will award a record $7.7 million for 19 stakes to be run during the 2022 Spring Meet, to be held April 8-29. The schedule features increased purses for all stakes and significant changes to the season's two historic classic preps: The purse of the Toyota Blue Grass (G2) for 3-year-olds on the first Saturday of the season has been restored to $1 million, and the Central Bank Ashland (G1) for 3-year-old fillies has moved to opening day of the meet and is worth a record $600,000.

Contributing to the stakes purse increases is a total of $1.5 million available from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF), pending approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Purses for some stakes doubled for 2022, most prominently the Maker's Mark Mile (G1) increased from $300,000 to $600,000, Stonestreet Lexington (G3) from $200,000 to $400,000 and Ben Ali (G3) from $150,000 to $300,000. Others, such as the Kentucky Utilities Transylvania (G3), Beaumont (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select and Shakertown (G2) received significant boosts.

During the 15-day Spring Meet, Keeneland will contest a total of 10 stakes on grass and nine stakes on dirt while offering multiple stakes on six days. Post time for the first race each day is 1 p.m. ET.

Keeneland will be closed for racing on Easter Sunday, April 17.

“Keeneland is thrilled to offer such a lucrative Spring Meet stakes schedule for horsemen, horseplayers and racing fans,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “Keeneland is coming off a record-breaking 2021 in terms of wagering, which we are reinvesting in purse money to further elevate our racing program. We look forward to world-class racing this April setting the stage for a huge racing year that will continue with the Fall Meet in October and the return of the Breeders' Cup World Championships on Nov. 4-5.”

The 98th running of the Toyota Blue Grass and the 85th running of the Central Bank Ashland both are worth 170 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks, respectively. The winners of each stakes will earn 100 qualifying points to the respective classic.

The early nomination deadline for the two stakes is Feb. 19. Late nominations are due March 23.

The Central Bank Ashland, at 1 1/16 miles, is one of three stakes for sophomores on opening day of the Spring Meet. The others are worth $400,000 each: the Kentucky Utilities Transylvania (G3), a 1 1/16-mile turf race, and the return of the Lafayette, a 7-furlong dirt race.

The Lafayette was a fixture for 3-year-olds during the Spring Meets of 1937-2008. The race was run for older horses in 2015 and 2020 on the undercard of the Breeders' Cup.

“Keeneland in the spring is about 3-year-olds blossoming into talented runners, and we have focused on enhancing those stakes in particular to attract the best sophomores in the country,” Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell said. “Moving the Central Bank Ashland to opening day makes the start of the Spring Meet extra special and provides a showcase for this historic Grade 1 event, which is the division's first Grade 1 race of the year. And the fact that Easter Sunday falls on the second Sunday of the meet – when Keeneland is closed for racing – allows us to present a blockbuster opening weekend with 10 stakes worth a total of $4.55 million.”

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Five of those stakes will be run opening Saturday, led by the Toyota Blue Grass, Keeneland's signature Triple Crown prep. For 2022, the purse of the 1 1/8-mile race has been increased from $800,000 in 2021 and returns to the $1 million status of 2015-2019.

The other stakes that day are the $500,000 Madison (G1), for fillies and mares at 7 furlongs; $400,000 Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association for 3-year-old fillies at 1 mile on the grass; $350,000 Shakertown (G2), for 3-year-olds and up at 5½ furlongs on the turf; and $300,000 Commonwealth (G3), for older horses at 7 furlongs.

Opening Sunday will present two stakes for 3-year-olds: the $400,000 Beaumont (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select, at 7 furlongs, 184 feet, on dirt for fillies; and the $200,000 Palisades, at 5½ furlongs on the grass. The Beaumont is worth 17 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, with the winner collecting 10 points.

For the remainder of the Spring Meet, racing will be held Wednesday through Sunday with the exception of Easter Sunday.

Stakes action returns Friday, April 15, with the $600,000 Maker's Mark Mile (G1), for 4-year-olds and up at 1 mile on turf, and the $200,000 TVG Limestone, for 3-year-old fillies going 5½ furlongs on the grass.

Saturday, April 16, will present three stakes: $500,000 Jenny Wiley (G1), a 1 1/16-mile turf race for fillies and mares; $400,000 Stonestreet Lexington (G3), for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles; and $200,000 Giant's Causeway (L) a 5½-furlong turf race for fillies and mares.

The Stonestreet Lexington, which is the final prep on this year's Road to the Kentucky Derby, awards 34 Derby qualifying points. The winner will earn 20 points.

Four graded stakes on the remaining days of the season will showcase older horses. The first is the $300,000 Baird Doubledogdare (G3), for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles, on Friday, April 22.

Two stakes will be run Saturday, April 23: $350,000 Elkhorn (G2), at 1½ miles on the turf, and $300,000 Ben Ali (G3), at 1 1/8 miles on dirt. The Ben Ali was moved from the second Saturday of the season.

The April 29 closing-day feature is the $300,000 Bewitch (G3), for fillies and mares racing 1½ miles on the turf.

Keeneland 2022 Spring Meet Stakes Schedule

Date	Stakes	*KTDF Contribution to Purse**	Division	Distance
April 8	$600,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1)	$100,000	3YO Fillies	1 1/16 Miles
April 8	$400,000 Kentucky Utilities Transylvania (G3)	$100,000	3YOs	1 1/16 Miles (T)
April 8	$400,000 Lafayette	$100,000	3YOs	7 Furlongs
April 9	$1 Million Toyota Blue Grass (G2)	$150,000	3YOs	1 1/8 Miles
April 9	$500,000 Madison (G1)	$100,000	4YOs & Up, F&M	7 Furlongs
April 9	$400,000 Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association	$100,000	3YO Fillies	1 Mile (T)
April 9	$350,000 Shakertown (G2)	$50,000	3YOs & Up	5½ Furlongs (T)
April 9	$300,000 Commonwealth (G3)	$50,000	4YO & Up	7 Furlongs
April 10	$400,000 Beaumont (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select	$100,000	3YO Fillies	7 Furlongs, 184'
April 10	$200,000 Palisades	$50,000	3YO	5½ Furlongs (T)
April 15	$600,000 Maker's Mark Mile (G1)	$100,000	4YOs & Up	1 Mile (T)
April 15	$200,000 TVG Limestone	$50,000	3YO Fillies	5½ Furlongs (T)
April 16	$500,000 Jenny Wiley (G1)	$100,000	4YOs & Up, F&M	1 1/16 Miles (T)
April 16	$400,000 Stonestreet Lexington (G3)	$100,000	3YOs	1 1/16 Miles
April 16	$200,000 Giant's Causeway (L)	$50,000	3YOs & Up, F&M	5½ Furlongs (T)
April 22	$300,000 Baird Doubledogdare (G3)	$50,000	4YOs & Up, F&M	1 1/16 Miles
April 23	$300,000 Ben Ali (G3)	$50,000	4YOs & Up	1 1/8 Miles
April 23	$350,000 Elkhorn (G2)	$50,000	4YOs & Up	1½ Miles (T)
April 29	$300,000 Bewitch (G3)	$50,000	4YOs & Up, F&M	1½ Miles (T)

*Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund. All KTDF purse allotments are subject to approval of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

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Significant Purse Increases for ’21 Keeneland Spring Stakes

Keeneland has announced a revamped stakes schedule for its 15-day 2022 Spring Meet, which will be held from Apr. 8-29. A total of 19 stakes will be run, and all have received purse increases for a total of $7.7 million in total stakes purses. Among notable changes are that the Apr. 9 GII Toyota Blue Grass S., Keeneland's main GI Kentucky Derby prep, will once again offer a $1-million purse (it was $800,000 last year); and the $600,000 GI Central Bank Ashland ($400,000 in 2021) will be contested on opening day.

Contributing to the purse increases is $1.5 million from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF), pending approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Purses for several stakes have doubled for 2022–including the Apr. 15 GI Maker's Mark Mile ($300,000 to $600,000); Apr. 16 GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. ($200,000 to $400,000); and Apr. 23 GIII Ben Ali S. ($150,000 to $300,000).

Post time for the Spring Meet will be 1:00 p.m. each day. The track will be dark on Easter Sunday, Apr. 17.

“Keeneland in the spring is about 3-year-olds blossoming into talented runners, and we have focused on enhancing those stakes in particular to attract the best sophomores in the country,” Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell said. “Moving the Central Bank Ashland to opening day makes the start of the Spring Meet extra special and provides a showcase for this historic Grade I event, which is the division's first Grade I race of the year. And the fact that Easter Sunday falls on the second Sunday of the meet–when Keeneland is closed for racing–allows us to present a blockbuster opening weekend with 10 stakes worth a total of $4.55 million.”

Visit www.keeneland.com for more information.

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