Eleven stakes races worth $3,575,000 will be offered during the 14-day September meet at Churchill Downs from Sept. 12-29.
The 12th annual September Meet, which runs for three weeks, will offer horsemen plenty of opportunities to prep for the Nov. 1-2 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar, led by the $500,000 Lukas Classic (G2) for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles and the $400,000 Ack Ack (G3) for 3-year-olds and up at one mile—a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” race for the Dirt Mile—Sept. 28.
Additionally, the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks series will kick off Sept. 14, with the $300,000 Iroquois Stakes (G3) and $300,000 Pocahontas Stakes (G3), respectively. Both races for 2-year-olds will be run at a one-turn mile distance.
Two changes have been made to the stakes schedule compared to last year’s lineup. The distance of the $300,000 Open Mind Stakes for fillies and mares, one of five stakes Sept. 14, has been increased from six furlongs to 6 1/2 furlongs. Additionally, the $200,000 Jefferson Cup for 3-year-olds at one mile on turf has been placed on hiatus because no turf racing will occur during the upcoming meet over Churchill’s troubled turf course. The track stated it wants to ensure the turf course reaches its maximum performance for the Oct. 27-Dec. 1 fall meet and into next year’s spring meet.
Churchill Downs’ 14-day meet will be staged over three weeks from Sept. 12-Sept. 29, with racing on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Outside of the three Twilight Thursdays (5 p.m. ET) and Downs After Dark on Sept. 28 (6 p.m. ET), the first race for all other race days will be 12:45 p.m. ET. Nine races are scheduled on Wednesdays, eight on Thursdays, and 10-race programs on Fridays and Sundays. Eleven races will be showcased each Saturday.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
