KY Downs Unveils 2015 Stakes Schedule

A record total of $7.5 million in purses, including Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund money, will be offered during the 2015 Kentucky Downs meet that runs for five days beginning Sept. 5 and offers a schedule of 12 stakes.

 

Contested on a European-style turf course, full cards are also set for Sept. 10, 12, 16, and 19 at the Franklin, Ky., track.

 

"This will be a very exciting fall in Kentucky, with record purses at Kentucky Downs and the Breeders' Cup coming to Keeneland," Kentucky Downs president Corey Johnsen said in a release. "We have designed our stakes schedule to complement the Keeneland Breeders' Cup meeting, and with an average of $1.5 million in daily purses and KTDF, this will be our greatest season ever."

 

The signature event of the track's 24th meet is the grade III, $600,000 Kentucky Turf Cup Sept. 12. The 1 1/2-mile race will be one of 12 stakes that should set up contenders for the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships Oct. 30 -31 at Keeneland.

 

Overnight races will offer $120,000 for maiden special weight and as much as $130,000 for allowance races. Those races and stakes receive significant support from the KTDF.

 

For the past three years, Kentucky Downs has increased purses, due in large part to revenue from historical race wagering.

 

There will be three new stakes added to the schedule, including the $150,000 Old Friends Stakes  ept. 16. The race will honor Old Friends, the non-profit Thoroughbred retirement center in Georgetown, Ky., that entered into a joint venture with Kentucky Downs, which now houses retired Thoroughbreds on its grounds.

 

"Many of the top horsemen in the country have supported our program," said Tyler Picklesimer, racing secretary at Kentucky Downs. "They have high regard for our safe and consistent turf course and like the way their horses bounce out of their races here. We have been in touch with them, and they are pointing their top turf specialists to Kentucky Downs in September."

 

The 2015 condition book can be found at www.kentuckydowns.com or equibase.com.

 

 

$300,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile (Includes $200,000 from KTDF)—2yo, 7 furlongs

 

$300,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies (Includes $200,000 from KTDF)—2yo fillies, 7 furlongs

 

$300,000 More Than Ready Mile (Includes $200,000 from KTDF)—3yo & up, 1 mile

 

$150,000 One Dreamer Stakes (Includes $75,000 from KTDF)—3yo & up, fillies & mares, 1 mile & 70 yards (non-winners of a stakes in 2015)

 

$300,000 Dueling Grounds Derby (Includes $175,000 from KTDF)—3yo, 1 5/16 miles

 

$300,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint (Includes $200,000 from KTDF)—3yo & up, fillies & mares, 6 1/2 furlongs

 

$300,000 Kentucky Downs Turf Dash (Includes $200,000 from KTDF)—3yo & up, 6 1/2 furlongs

 

$600,000 grade III Kentucky Turf Cup (Includes $300,000 from KTDF)—3yo & up, 1 1/2 miles 

 

$150,000 Old Friends Stakes (Includes $75,000 from KTDF)—3yo & up, 1 mile & 70 yards (non-winners of a stakes in 2015) 

$200,000 Dueling Grounds Oaks (Includes $100,000 from KTDF)—3yo, fillies, 1 5/16 miles

 

$300,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf (Includes $200,000 from KTDF)—3yo & up, fillies & mares, 1 mile

 

$300,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon (Includes $200,000 from KTDF)—3yo & up, fillies & mares, 1 5/16 miles