The Churchill Downs spring/summer, which will include an Arlington Million Day card transplanted from the shuttered Chicago racetrack, will offer a record 53 stakes races worth $20.37 million. The 44-day Spring Meet is highlighted by the $3-million GI Kentucky Derby May 7 and will run from Apr. 30-July 4.
With the coordination of Ellis Park and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, Churchill will host a special Arlington Million Day Aug. 13. The card will feature four stakes cumulatively worth $2 million: the $1-million GI Arlington Million; $500,000 GI Beverly D. S.; $300,000 GII Secretariat S.; and $200,000 GIII Pucker Up S.
Other Arlington stakes to be run this year at Churchill are the $250,000 GIII Modesty S., $200,000 GIII ArlingtonS., $200,000 GIII Chicago S. and the listed $200,000 American Derby and $175,000 Hanshin S.
Eight of the 14 races on Kentucky Derby Day are stakes with purses totalling $7.16 million. In addition to the Derby, the first Saturday in May will showcase the $1-million GI Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic; $750,000 GI Churchill Downs S.; $750,000 GI Derby City Distaff; $500,000 GII Pat Day Mile; $500,000 GII American Turf; and the $160,000 Knicks Go Overnight S.
Churchill Downs will host the $1.25-million GI Longines Kentucky Oaks May 6. The seven stakes that day total $4.25 million: the Oaks; $750,000 GI La Troienne; $500,000 GII Alysheba S.; $500,000 GII Eight Belles S.; $500,000 GII Edgewood S.; $500,000 GII Twin Spires Turf Sprint S.; and the Modesty.
Churchill's closing weekend features the $750,000 GII Stephen Foster S. The 1 1/8-mile race anchors an eight-race stakes card July 2 that totals $2.33 million and includes the $350,000 GII Fleur de Lis S.; $350,000 GII Wise Dan S.; and American Derby.
Churchill's first condition book of scheduled races features $120,000 maiden races throughout the Spring Meet. Additionally, there will be a $250 bonus awarded to trainers whose starters finish fourth through last in all non-stakes races.
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