Headed by the renamed $2.5 million Nashville Derby (G3T) Aug. 31, Kentucky Downs will stage six races worth at least $2 million apiece, including supplements for registered Kentucky-breds, at this year's seven-day race meet.
The all-turf meet offering some of the world's richest racing runs Aug. 29 and 31 and Sep. 1, 5, 7, 8, and 11. The Kentucky Downs condition book is now online, with purses scheduled to total $35 million, including $16 million in Kentucky-bred money. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission April 23 approved Kentucky Downs' requested purse enhancements from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund, which is restricted to registered horses that were foaled in the commonwealth and sired by a Kentucky stallion.
Previously known as the Dueling Grounds Derby, the Nashville Derby becomes the richest race in track history and the most lucrative grass race in North America outside the $5 million Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T).
"We want to build the Nashville Derby into a race that American and European horsemen alike point to and buy horses for," said Ron Winchell, co-managing partner of Kentucky Downs with Marc Falcone. "The name change reflects our close proximity to one of America's great cities, which we see as an added incentive for coming. Even horses that aren't Kentucky-breds still will race for $1.5 million, and we've positioned the Nashville Derby so that it fits into a big-money circuit for 3-year-old turf horses with Keeneland and Churchill Downs stakes as well as New York's Belmont Derby, Saratoga Derby, and Jockey Club Derby."
The Kentucky Downs meet will have 11 stakes overall worth at least $1 million (including KTDF supplements) out of a total of 18 stakes. Nine stakes enjoy graded status, including the track's first grade 1 stakes in the $2 million Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G1T) for 3-year-old sprinters. The showcase Sept. 7 card's six graded stakes offer a total of $10 million in purses, including a quintet of $2 million races.
Kentucky Downs' overnight purses, the richest in America, also got boosts. Maiden races, already the richest in the world, increase from $150,000 to $170,000, with allowance races worth up to $220,000 for Kentucky-breds among the 75 total races scheduled for the meet.
Also being bumped to $2 million this year are the Franklin-Simpson; the Kentucky Downs Turf Cup (G2T) at 1 1/2 miles for 3-year-olds and up; Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint (G2T) for sprinters 3 years old and up; and the Music City Stakes (G2T) for 3-year-old filly sprinters. The Turf Cup was raised from $1.7 million last year; the others from $1 million, including KTDF.
Other races getting purse hikes: the $1.5 million Ladies Turf (G3T) and $1.5 million Dueling Grounds Oaks (both $1 million last year). Kentucky Downs' four stakes for 2-year-olds were increased to $750,000 from $500,000 for Kentucky-breds.
An 18th stakes was added: The $500,000 Nashville Gold Cup at 2 1/16 miles set for the Sept. 11 closing card.
The Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint and Kentucky Downs Turf Cup winners receive a fees-paid berth in the corresponding Breeders' Cup race.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
