Kentucky Downs will launch U.S. Open turf series Sept. 7

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Scott Serio / Eclipse Sportswire

The inaugural U.S. Open Turf Championships will play out at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 7, featuring six graded stakes on grass offering $2 million apiece for Kentucky-breds.

Five of those winners could have their entry fees paid to the corresponding event at the Breeders’ Cup on Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar.

Kentucky Downs’ all-turf meet runs Aug. 29, 31 and Sept. 1, 5, 7, 8 and 11 over the only European-style race course in the U.S.

Some $13 million will be offered on the 12-race Sept. 7 card, potentially making it America’s richest day of racing outside Breeders’ Cup Saturday. Branding the day as the U.S. Open Turf Championships reflects Kentucky Downs’ invigorated efforts to attract international horses while promoting the day’s graded stakes as launching pads to the Breeders’ Cup.

The six stakes each will be worth $2 million for registered Kentucky-breds, including the first Grade 1 race in track history: the Franklin-Simpson for 3-year-olds at 6 1/2 furlongs. Also, the Grade 3, 1 5/16-mile Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon purse is doubling to $2 million, pending regulatory approval because the stakes schedule was first announced in April. Horses who do not qualify for the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund money will compete for $1 million, still making those races among the most lucrative Breeders’ Cup preps.

The card includes the Kentucky Turf Cup (G2), which is a Breeders’ Cup win-and-you’re-in qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Turf, both at 1 1/2 miles. Also featured is the Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint (G2), a six-furlong qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at five furlongs.

In addition, Kentucky Downs will pay the pre-entry and entry fees for the winners of three other Sept. 7 stakes who make the field for the corresponding Breeders’ Cup race, either by earning enough points or being chosen by the selection committee. Besides the Franklin-Simpson and Ladies Marathon, the third race is the Mint Millions Mile (G3) for 3-year-olds and up.

The sixth race of the U.S. Open Turf Championships is the Music City (G2) for 3-year-old fillies at 6 1/2 furlongs.



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Publish date : 2024-08-06 03:13:46

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