Fresh off a successful inaugural running of the Spendthrift Juvenile Stallion S. Oct. 30, Spendthrift Farm and Churchill Downs have announced an expansion of the annual event which will now be run as two divisional races starting in 2017–one for 2-year-old colts & geldings, and also one for 2-year-old fillies.
“The Spendthrift Juvenile Stallion S. was an overwhelming success last year, and we're delighted to once again collaborate with Churchill Downs to build on that success,” said Ned Toffey, Spendthrift General Manager. “The addition of a fillies division is something that many of our breeders asked for, and this year we are happy to be able to provide it. It's another way for us to help our breeders and the industry as a whole.”
Spendthrift has committed to funding an additional $100,000 annually to the original $300,000 commitment in purse money, and the $400,000 will be allocated to a pair of $200,000- guaranteed stakes races–a division for each sex–on the opening-day card during the Fall meet at Churchill, which is slated for Oct. 29 in 2017. The fillies race was officially named the Spendthrift Juvenile Filly Stallion S., while the colts and geldings division will continue to run as the Spendthrift Juvenile Stallion S. Both will be contested at seven furlongs on dirt.
“The creation of the Spendthrift Stallion S. for 2-year-olds is a unique concept that proved to be extremely popular with owners, breeders and fans alike in 2016,” said Churchill Downs Racetrack President Kevin Flanery. “We're delighted to present these races on opening day of our Fall Meet, and Churchill Downs looks forward to cultivating this event with Spendthrift Farm in 2017.”
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