Ellis Park stakes get a boost for summer meet to $3 million +
Large purses and two new stakes events are the highlight of the 2023 Ellis Park $3,075,000 stakes calendar.
The Ellis Park meet will open Friday, July 7, and run through Sunday, Aug. 27. Owners, trainers and jockeys will be racing for large prize money under the new stakes schedule, which has been increased by $1.65 million since 2022. All prize money includes funds distributed by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund and is pending approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.
There are two new stakes events on the calendar, including the Grade 3, $300,000 Pucker Up Stakes, which had been run at Arlington Park.
The Pucker Up is one of seven stakes events across Kentucky Downs preview weekend Saturday, Aug. 5, and Sunday, Aug. 6.
Saturday’s trio of stakes contests are the listed $200,000 Turf Mile, the $200,000 Dueling Grounds Derby and the $200,000 Ladies Turf Sprint.
Sunday’s program will be highlighted by the Pucker Up along with the listed $250,000 Turf Cup, the Ladies Turf Mile and the $200,000 Preview Turf Sprint.
There are six stakes scheduled Sunday, Aug. 13, headlined by the listed $250,000 Ellis Park Derby for 3-year-olds going one mile on dirt.
Here is the complete stakes calendar for the Ellis Park season:
| Date | Stakes | Age, sex | Distance | Purse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 8 | Dade Park Dash | 3-yr-olds | 5 1/2 f | $100,000 |
| July 16 | Pea Patch | 3yo f | 5 1/2 f (T) | $100,000 |
| July 22 | Jeff Hall Memorial | 3 & up | 6 1/2 f | $125,000 |
| July 23 | The Twin Bridges | 3+, f&m | 6 furlongs | $125,000 |
| Aug. 5 | Dueling Grounds Derby* | 3-yr-olds | 1 1/8 mi (T) | $200,000 |
| Aug. 5 | Turf Mile* (listed) | 3 & up | 1 mile (T) | $200,000 |
| Aug. 5 | Ladies Turf Sprint* | 3+, f&m | 5 1/2 f (T) | $200,000 |
| Aug. 6 | Pucker Up (G3) | 3yo f | 1 1/8 mi (T) | $300,000 |
| Aug. 6 | Turf Cup* (listed) | 3 & up | 1 1/4 mi (T) | $250,000 |
| Aug. 6 | Ladies Turf Mile* (listed) | 3+, f&m | 1 mile | $200,000 |
| Aug. 6 | Turf Sprint* (listed) | 3 & up | 5 1/2 f (T) | $200,000 |
| Aug. 13 | R.A. "Cowboy" Jones | 3 & up | 1 mile | $100,000 |
| Aug. 13 | Audubon Oaks | 3-yr-olds | 7 furlongs | $150,000 |
| Aug. 13 | Groupie Doll (listed) | 3+, f&m | 1 mile | $150,000 |
| Aug. 13 | Ellis Park Derby (listed) | 3-yr-olds | 1 mile | $250,000 |
| Aug. 13 | Debutante | 2-yr-olds | 7 furlongs | $150,000 |
| Aug. 13 | Juvenile | 2-yr-olds | 7 furlongs | $150,000 |
| Aug. 27 | Ellis Park Turf | 3+, f&m | 1 1/16 mi (T) | $125,000 |
| *Ky. Downs preview race | (T) turf |