A pair of Grade 1 turf races highlight this weekend's racing action.
Races in this weekend's rundown are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern). Full previews, when available, can be found through the link for each race.
TVG will feature racing from Keeneland, Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park, Laurel Park, Woodbine and more. Fans can tune in on TVG, TVG2 and the Watch TVG app which is available on Amazon Fire, Roku and connected Apple TV devices.
“America's Day at the Races” will be broadcasting live from Belmont Park on Saturday, Oct. 16 on FS2 from 12:30 – 3:30 pm. America's Day at the Races will also provide coverage of British Champions Day on FS2 from 8:00 – 11:30 am. On Sunday, “America's Day at the Races” will broadcast from Belmont Park on FS2 from 12:30 – 5:30 pm.
Friday, Oct. 15
5:16 PM ET – $150,000 Buffalo Trace Franklin County Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland on TVG
Stonestreet Stables' Campanelle (IRE), a two-time Group 1 winner in Europe, heads a field of 12 fillies and mares entered for Friday's 25th running of the $150,000 Buffalo Trace Franklin County (Grade 3) going 5½ furlongs on the turf. Trained by Wesley Ward, Campanelle will be making her first start since being unplaced in the Prix de Maurice de Gheest (G1) at Deauville in August. Joel Rosario will have the mount Friday and exit post position four. Also figuring to attract interest are the 1-2 finishers from last month's Mint Ladies Sprint (G3) at Kentucky Downs: In Good Spirits and Catch a Bid.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE101521USA9-EQB.html
Saturday, Oct. 16
3:15 PM ET – $200,000 Sands Point Stakes (G2T) at Belmont Park on FS2
Fluffy Socks and Higher Truth (IRE) give trainer Chad Brown two chances to win his fourth Sands Point in the past five years when the duo faces six other 3-year-old fillies in the Grade 2T Sands Point. Fluffy Socks is winless in 2021 but has placed in two graded stakes, including a third in the Grade 1T Del Mar Oaks in her most recent start. Higher Truth has made each of her six career starts this year, including two wins and two stakes placings over the Belmont turf. Trainer Graham Motion has Harajuku (IRE) entered. The Deep Impact (JPN) filly made her U.S. debut in last month's Jockey Club Oaks Invitational Stakes at Belmont, finishing third after an awkward start.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL101621USA6-EQB.html
4:44 PM ET – $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup presented by Dixiana (G1T) at Keeneland on TVG
Klaravich Stables' two-time graded stakes winner Technical Analysis (IRE) and Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables and Robert LaPenta's Shantisara (IRE) headline a field of 10 3-year-old fillies entered for the 38th running of the Grade 1T Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland. Chad Brown trains both Technical Analysis and Shantisara. Flippant, a Tapit filly trained by Vicki Oliver, is on a three-race winning streak, with two of those being stakes wins. Empress Josephine (IRE) finished third last out for trainer Aidan O'Brien when she faced older fillies and mares in the Grade 1T First Lady Stakes at Keeneland.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE101621USA8-EQB.html
Sunday, Oct. 17
4:37 PM ET – $600,000 E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1T) at Woodbine on TVG
Ten fillies and mares, including Christophe Clement trainees La Dragontea (GB) and Mutamakina (GB), will vie for top honors in the Grade 1 $600,000 E.P. Taylor Stakes, a 1 ¼-mile turf test for fillies & mares. A 4-year-old daughter of Lope de Vega, La Dragontea will make her second straight start at Woodbine. The dark bay took the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes on September 18, fending off a stiff challenge in the stretch to win the 1 1/8-mile turf race by a length over Court Return. It was the fourth win from 12 starts for the Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Rebecca Hillen-owned mare. Mutamakina, a 5-year-old daughter of Nathaniel-Joshua's Princess, also comes into the E.P. Taylor off a winning effort at Woodbine. The race is named after the late Canadian industrialist E.P. Taylor, owner of famed Windfields Farm in Ontario and Maryland.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/WO101721CAN8-EQB.html
5:44 PM ET – $250,000 Nearctic Stakes (G2T) at Woodbine on TVG
Ten starters chase the top prize in the Grade 2 $250,000 Nearctic Stakes, a six-furlong grass engagement for three-year-olds and upward. Town Cruise (ON) has won three of four 2021 starts for trainer Brandon Greer, including an upset win in the Grade 1 Richoh Woodbine Mile Stakes in September. Olympic Runner won the Grade 2 King Edward Stakes over this course in August and finished unplaced in the Woodbine Mile for trainer Mark Casse.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/WO101721CAN10-EQB.html
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