Oaks Division Added to Thoroughbred Championship Series

Churchill Downs Incorporated and the New York Racing Association announced Oct. 28 the expansion of the Thoroughbred Championship Series in 2027 to include two distinct divisions—the Derby Division and the Oaks Division. The new Oaks Division will establish a four-race series for elite 3-year-old fillies, joining the previously announced six-race Derby Division for the sport's leading 3-year-olds. Together, the two divisions will encompass 10 races offering more than $22 million in purses and prizes. All 10 races will be nationally televised on NBC or FOX networks. The Oaks Division will connect four of the sport's most prestigious grade 1 races for 3-year-old fillies in a points-based competition, with a $1 million prize pool shared among the three highest-ranked horses in the final standings. The Oaks Division winner will also be invited to compete against the world's best 3-year-olds in the TCS Championship Race Sept. 25 at Churchill Downs. In addition to any purse earnings, the filly will receive a guaranteed bonus for competing in the TCS Championship Race, which could be worth as much as $1 million if she wins. "Bringing three-year-old fillies into the Thoroughbred Championship Series is an important next step in building a season-long platform to showcase the sport's best horses," said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of CDI. "By rewarding excellence and creating more opportunities for our top horses to compete on a national stage, we give fans even more reasons to follow the sport from one marquee race to the next." "The Oaks Division gives three-year-old fillies a championship of their own, connecting four of the best races in the sport into one points race from Louisville to Saratoga," said David O'Rourke, NYRA president and CEO. "And for the filly who comes out on top, it opens the door to take on the colts in September. It's a matchup fans have always wanted to see, and now there's a clear path to it." The 2027 Oaks Division will include: Kentucky Oaks (G1) April 30 at Churchill Downs Acorn Stakes (G1) June 4 at Belmont Park Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) July 24 at Saratoga Race Course Alabama Stakes (G1) Aug. 21 at Saratoga Race Course The 2027 Derby Division will include: Kentucky Derby (G1) May 1 at Churchill Downs Belmont Stakes (G1) June 5 at Belmont Park Matt Winn Stakes (G3) July 3 at Churchill Downs Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) July 31 at Saratoga Race Course Travers Stakes (G1) Aug. 28 at Saratoga Race Course TCS Championship Sept. 25 at Churchill Downs