NYRA introducing $5.25 million turf Triple Crown series

The New York Racing Association on Wednesday announced the creation of the Turf Trinity and Turf Tiara as part of a Turf Triple Series new in 2019 and offering $5.25 million in purse money for sophomores over three legs at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.

The Turf Triple Series will showcase the best 3-year-old turf runners in the country with the first legs slated for Saturday, July 6, as part of the Stars & Stripes Festival to be broadcast live nationwide on NBC.

• The Turf Trinity, for 3-year-olds, kicks off on July 6 with the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Derby Invitational, contested at 1 1/4-miles (2,000 meters) on the Belmont turf. 

• The second jewel of the Turf Trinity, the inaugural $1 million Saratoga Derby, will be contested at 1 3/16-miles (1,900 meters) on the Saratoga green on Sunday, August 4 and featured live on FS1. 

• The Turf Trinity reaches its conclusion on Saturday, September 7 at Belmont Park with the inaugural edition of the $1 million Jockey Club Derby to be aired live across the country on NBC.

At 1 1/2-miles (2,400 meters) on the Belmont turf, the first-ever $1 million Jockey Club Derby will be a test of stamina as the country's best 3-year-old turf stars look to capture the final jewel of the Turf Trinity, which offers a "Win and You're In" berth to the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf.

"The Turf Trinity is designed to emulate the American dirt classics," said Martin Panza, NYRA's Senior Vice President of Racing Operations. "The three-race, $3 million series complements the schedule with no overlap of the American Triple Crown races while also providing international runners an opportunity to race against 3-year-olds later into the summer." 

• The 3-year-old fillies will start their path on the Turf Tiara with the Grade 1, $750,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational, at 1 1/4-miles (2,000 meters) on the Belmont turf as part of the July 6 Stars & Stripes Festival, and will be broadcast live on NBC.

• The Turf Tiara continues Friday, August 2 at Saratoga Race Course with the inaugural $750,000 Saratoga Oaks, held at 1 3/16-miles (1,900 meters) on the Saratoga lawn and broadcast live nationally on FS2, kicking off Whitney weekend festivities.

• The final jewel of the Turf Tiara, the first-ever $750,000 Jockey Club Oaks slated for September 7 at Belmont Park, will be contested at 1 3/8-miles (2,200 meters) on the turf, and aired live on NBC, as part of an action-packed weekend of racing to raise the curtain on the Belmont fall meet.

"As American racing moves more towards the turf, both series of races should enhance the value of turf stallions, mares and quality turf runners," Panza said. "If this helps farms, breeders, sales companies and owners, while at the same time providing an exciting new racing event for race fans to follow, then our efforts will be well rewarded.

"NYRA will continue to maintain a strong commitment towards our 3-year-old dirt schedule offering the best of both worlds. There has been tremendous industry support and NYRA would like to thank those involved for their understanding and cooperation."