CDI, NYRA to Launch Championship Series for 3-Year-Olds

Churchill Downs Inc. and the New York Racing Association announced Aug. 3 the creation of the "Thoroughbred Championship Series." The new six-race competition will begin in 2027 and establish an annual season-long championship for America's leading 3-year-old Thoroughbreds. Some of the country's most iconic racing venues—Churchill Downs, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course—will host the six-race series beginning the first Saturday in May. The series schedule does not include the Preakness Stakes (G1). "The Thoroughbred Championship Series will extend the excitement of the sport across a five-month season," said CDI CEO Bill Carstanjen. "The Kentucky Derby introduces millions of fans to a new generation of Thoroughbred stars each year, and this series gives those fans a reason to stay engaged with the sport's biggest stars throughout the season. By connecting these premier events through one championship, we're creating a season-long storyline that benefits the future of Thoroughbred racing." "This series is designed to showcase the sport's best 3-year-olds across a season-long championship, elevating our biggest events and creating the next generation of fans," said NYRA president and CEO David O'Rourke. "The return of the Belmont Stakes to a newly transformed Belmont Park makes this an especially exciting moment for our sport. Together with Churchill Downs and our television partners, we are building on tradition to carry the excitement of these marquee races through the entire season." BloodHorse reached out to Maryland Jockey Club president and general manager Bill Knauf Aug. 3 on the new series' potential impact on the Preakness but he declined comment. The inaugural 2027 Thoroughbred Championship Series is expected to include the: Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 1 Belmont Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park on June 5 Matt Winn Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs in July (exact date TBD) Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course in late July/early August (exact date TBD) Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course in late August (exact date TBD) Championship race at Churchill Downs in September (exact date TBD) Other tracks that could see the fields for their big 3-year-old races impacted include Monmouth Park, which this year offered the Haskell Stakes (G1) July 18. That $1 million race is typically in mid- to late-July. Monmouth officials declined comment on the series and its potential impact. Parx Racing officials declined to comment Monday on the announcement of the series. The championship race of the series will be scheduled in September, which would figure to impact Parx's Pennsylvania Derby (G1), a $1 million race typically contested around the third Saturday of that month. A unified points system is designed to encourage the nation's leading 3-year-olds to compete against one another more frequently. In addition to individual race purses, a $5 million prize pool will be awarded based on the final standings, which also will provide owners and trainers with meaningful financial incentives to remain active throughout the championship series. Each race will be broadcast to a national television audience. The Churchill Downs races will air on NBC, while the NYRA races will air on FOX. CDI and NYRA will work collaboratively on the series' rules, nominations process, marketing, sponsorship, wagering opportunities, and television distribution. Broadcast, sponsorship and commercial partnership details will be announced as agreements are finalized. Additional information regarding the race schedule, points system, eligibility rules, prize distribution, and branding will be released shortly. BloodHorse plans a full story later today.