Churchill Downs: 709 horses are nominated for Derby week
Some of the world’s best horses are set to compete at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby 2024 in 22 stakes events worth $17.5 million.
A total of 33 percent more purse money is scheduled to be awarded in stakes during Kentucky Derby week compared with 2023's total of $13.125 million. The biggest purse increase was in the Kentucky Derby, which will have a purse of $5 million compared to $3 million in 2023. The Kentucky Oaks (G1), La Troienne (G1), Churchill Downs (G1), Derby City Distaff (G1) and Distaff Turf Mile (G2) each have $250,000 added to their purses compared to 2023.
Nominations for all Kentucky Derby week stakes races outside the Kentucky Derby and $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) totaled 709 horses.
The other Grade 1 events run over Kentucky Derby and Oaks days include the $1 million Turf Classic, with 31 nominations; $1 million Churchill Downs, 31 nominations; $1 million Derby City Distaff, 26 nominations; and $1 million La Troienne, 21 nominations.
Top horses nominated to Kentucky Derby week stakes events include Makers Mark Mile (G1) winner Master of The Seas in the Turf Classic, champion older filly and mare Idiomatic in the La Troienne, Kentucky Oaks winner and champion 3-year-old filly Pretty Mischievous in the La Troienne and Beholder Mile (G1) winner Sweet Azteca in the Derby City Distaff. Nominations for all stakes Kentucky Derby week are available on Equibase.
Wednesday also marked the second closing for the Kentucky Oaks. The lone filly to be a late nomination was Accommodate Eva, currently No. 23 on the preference list.
| Date | Race | Conditions | Distance | Surface | 2024 purse | 2023 purse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 27 | Roxelana Overnight Stakes | 4 and up, fillies & mares | 6 furlongs | Dirt | $200,000 | $175,000 |
| May 1 | William Walker | 3-year-olds | 5 1/2 furlongs | Turf | $300,000 | $225,000 |
| May 1 | Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight Stakes | 4 and up | 1 1/2 miles | Dirt | $200,000 | $175,000 |
| May 2 | Opening Verse | 4 and up | 1 mile | Turf | $350,000 | $300,000 |
| May 2 | Kentucky Juvenile | 2-year-olds | 5 furlongs | Dirt | $250,000 | $200,000 |
| May 2 | St. Matthews Overnight Stakes | 4 and up | 6 furlongs | Dirt | $200,000 | $175,000 |
| May 3 | Kentucky Oaks (G1) | 3-year-old fillies | 1 1/8 miles | Dirt | $1,500,000 | $1,250,000 |
| May 3 | La Troienne (G1) | 4 and up, fillies & mares | 1 1/16 miles | Dirt | $1,000,000 | $750,000 |
| May 3 | Alysheba (G2) | 4 and up | 1 1/16 miles | Dirt | $750,000 | $600,000 |
| May 3 | Eight Belles (G2) | 3-year-old fillies | 7 furlongs | Dirt | $600,000 | $500,000 |
| May 3 | Edgewood (G2) | 3-year-old fillies | 1 1/16 miles | Turf | $600,000 | $500,000 |
| May 3 | Modesty (G3) | 4 and up, fillies & mares | 1 1/8 miles | Turf | $400,000 | $300,000 |
| May 3 | Unbridled Sidney (G3) | 3 and up, fillies & mares | 5 1/2 furlongs | Turf | $400,000 | $300,000 |
| May 4 | Kentucky Derby | 3-year-olds | 1 1/4 miles | Dirt | $5,000,000 | $3,000,000 |
| May 4 | Turf Classic (G1) | 4 and up | 1 1/8 miles | Turf | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| May 4 | Churchill Downs (G1) | 4 and up | 7 furlongs | Dirt | $1,000,000 | $750,000 |
| May 4 | Derby City Distaff (G1) | 4 and up, fillies & mares | 7 furlongs | Dirt | $1,000,000 | $750,000 |
| May 4 | Distaff Turf Mile (G2) | 4 and up, fillies & mares | 1 mile | Turf | $750,000 | $500,000 |
| May 4 | Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) | 3 and up | 5 1/2 furlongs | Turf | $600,000 | $500,000 |
| May 4 | Pat Day Mile | 3-year-olds | 1 mile | Dirt | $600,000 | $500,000 |
| May 4 | American Turf (G2) | 3-year-olds | 1 1/16 miles | Turf | $600,000 | $500,000 |
| May 4 | Knicks Go | 4 and up | 1 mile | Dirt | $200,000 | $175,000 |