Churchill Downs sets 11 stakes for its September meet
Eleven stakes races worth a total of $3,575,000 will be offered during the 14-day September meet at Churchill Downs, which runs 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 at Del Mar, led by the Grade 2, $500,000 Lukas Classic 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 for the Dirt Mile, on Saturday, Sept. 28.
Additionally, the road to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks series will kick off Saturday, Sept. 14 with the $300,000 Iroquois (G3) and $300,000 Pocahontas (G3), respectively. Both races for 2-year-olds will be run at the one turn, one-mile distance.
Two changes have been made to the stakes schedule compared to last year’s lineup. The distance of the listed Open Mind for fillies and mares, one of five stakes on Sept. 14, has been increased from six furlongs to 6 1/2 furlongs. And the Jefferson Cup for 3-year-olds at one mile on turf has been placed on hiatus because all races during this year’s September meet will be run on dirt 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 Thursday, Sept. 12, through Sunday, Sept. 29, with racing on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Outside of the three Thursdays, when the post time will be 5 p.m. EDT, and Saturday, Sept. 28, when it will be 6 p.m., the first race will be at 12:45 p.m. Nine races are scheduled on Wednesdays, eight races are scheduled on Thursdays and 10-race programs are set for Fridays and Sundays. Eleven races will be showcased each Saturday.
| Date | Grade | Purse | Race | Conditions | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 14 | 2 | $400,000 | Locust Grove | 3&up, f&m | 1 1/16 miles |
| Sept. 14 | 3 | $300,000 | Iroquois | 2yo | 1 mile |
| Sept. 14 | 3 | $300,000 | Pocahontas | 2yo f | 1 mile |
| Sept. 14 | Listed | $300,000 | Open Mind | 3&up, f&m | 6 1/2 furlongs |
| Sept. 14 | $300,000 | Louisville Thoroughbred Society | 3&up | 6 furlongs | |
| Sept. 21 | 3 | $300,000 | Dogwood | 3yo f | 7 furlongs |
| Sept. 21 | $300,000 | Bourbon Flight | 3yo | 1 3/16 miles | |
| Sept. 21 | $300,000 | Harrods Creek | 3yo | 7 furlongs | |
| Sept. 21 | Listed | $175,000 | Seneca Overnight Stakes | 3yo f | 1 1/16 miles |
| Sept. 28 | 2 | $500,000 | Lukas Classic | 3&up | 1 1/8 miles |
| Sept. 28 | 3 | $400,000 | Ack Ack (win-and-you're-in for BC Dirt Mile) | 3&up | 1 mile |