Churchill Downs sets stakes schedule for September, fall meets

A stakes schedule packed with $3.575 million in purses will headline this year’s 14-day September meet at Churchill Downs, which runs Thursday, Sept. 11, through Sunday, Sept. 28, and features 11 stakes contests over three weekends.

Saturday, Sept. 13, sets the tone with five high-quality stakes races led by the Grade 2, $400,000 Locust Grove and the first points events on the road to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, the $300,000 Iroquois (G3) and $300,000 Pocahontas (G3). The program also features the $300,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society and $300,000 Open Mind.

The second Saturday of the meet, Sept. 20m includes four more stakes topped by the $300,000 Dogwood (G3) along with the $300,000 Bourbon Flight, $300,000 Harrods Creek and $175,000 Seneca Overnight Stakes.

The stakes action concludes Saturday, Sept. 27 with a duo of marquee races: the $500,000 Lukas Classic (G2) and $400,000 Ack Ack (G3). Named for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who passed away earlier this summer, the Lukas Classic has developed into a key local prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which takes place this year on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

The September meet will open with a Thursday-Sunday schedule during the first week, followed by Wednesday-Sunday racing during the final two weeks. First post is 12:45 p.m. EDT most days, with a 5 p.m. first post each Thursday.

Four weeks later, Churchill Downs will host its 26-day fall meet from Sunday, Oct. 26, through Sunday, Nov. 30, with 16 stakes worth $5 million.

Thanksgiving weekend once again anchors the fall meet, with two of the season’s biggest race days: Friday, Nov. 28 will be headlined by the $600,000 Clark (G2) and $300,000 Mrs. Revere (G2); and Saturday, Nov. 29, features the second stars of tomorrow card headlined by the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) and $400,000 Golden Rod (G2).

The meet will open with the first stars of tomorrow card on Sunday, Oct. 26, led by the $200,000 Street Sense (G3) and $200,000 Rags to Riches.

Below are the September and Fall Meet stakes schedules. All purses include contributions from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund and are pending final approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corp.