Churchill Downs will hold a $300,000 stakes race restricted to juveniles sired by Spendthrift Farm Stallions during its “Stars of Tomorrow” card featuring all 2-year-olds Oct. 30. The race will be contested at seven panels on the main track, with a purse structure that offers $150,000 to owners of placed horses and another $150,000 to breeders of the top four finishers ($60,000, $40,000, $30,000 and $20,000, respectively).
“We couldn't be happier to be teaming with Churchill Downs to showcase the great product that our breeders are putting out,” said Spendthrift general manager Ned Toffey. “You don't have to look any further than last weekend for Grade I 2-year-olds like [GI Hopeful S. winner] Practical Joke (Into Mischief) and [GI Del Mar Futurity runner-up] Straight Fire (Dominus) as prime examples of that. We're hopeful the timing of the Spendthrift Stallion Stakes will make it an important springboard to such Kentucky Derby preps as the [GII] Kentucky Jockey Club S., as well as the [GI Kentucky] Derby itself the following spring at Churchill. It's another way we can give back to our patrons and help promote our great industry for years to come.”
Churchill Downs Racetrack president Kevin Flannery added, “We're so grateful that [Spendthrift owner] B. Wayne Hughes approached Churchill Downs with this unique idea and pleased to team with Spendthrift Farm to present this exciting new racing opportunity for owners and breeders on opening day of our Fall Meet.”
Juveniles by any active or inactive Spendthrift stallion are eligible. Nominations are free and due to the Churchill Downs racing office by Saturday, Oct. 15. There will be no late nominations or supplemental entries. Owners must pay $500 to enter the race Tuesday, Oct. 25 and an additional $500 to start. The race will be limited to 14 starters with preference given to stakes winners, allowance race winners, maiden allowance winners and then horses that have not started for less than $50,000. Colts and geldings will carry 123 pounds, while fillies will carry 120. Non-stakes winners be given a three-pound weight break, while maidens will be granted a five-pound allowance.
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