Only Stakes to Remain on Turf at Churchill Spring Meet

In a notice to horsemen posted June 25 on an overnight, Churchill Downs announced that only four stakes races July 2-3 will be run on turf as scheduled before its spring meet concludes July 4. All other scheduled turf races are to be run on the main track.

The four stakes are the $350,000 Wise Dan Stakes (G2T), the $200,000 Tepin Stakes, and the $200,000 American Derby—with those three races July 2—plus the $160,000 Anchorage Overnight Stakes July 3.

Churchill Downs has not run on turf since June 10 when there was an equine fatality during grass racing. The next day, the track announced it was suspending grass racing for at least two weeks to allow its immature turf course to develop its root system and become more robust. It was laid down with sod last fall.

Since the suspension of turf racing, the grass is taking hold, said Darren Rogers, the track's senior director of communications and media services. The course will be open for workouts June 26, he said.

Churchill Downs replaced its prior course last year, investing $10 million in a widened surface with a new irrigation system.

Following the spring meet, Churchill also has one summer day of racing scheduled Aug. 13, hosting the Arlington Million (G1T), Beverly D. (G1T), and other stakes it picked up after Churchill Downs Inc.'s closure of Arlington International Racecourse.

Churchill Downs has a September and fall meet later this year.