Kentucky Downs Launches U.S. Open Turf Championships

The inaugural U.S. Open Turf Championships will play out at Kentucky Downs Sept. 7, featuring six graded stakes on grass offering $2 million apiece for Kentucky-breds. Five of those winners could have their entry fees paid to the corresponding event at the Breeders' Cup World Championships Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar.

In addition to being the day sponsor and title sponsor of the U.S Open Turf Championships, FanDuel TV becomes the title sponsor of the $2 million FanDuel TV Kentucky Turf Cup (G2).

Kentucky Downs' all-turf meet runs Aug. 29, 31 and Sept. 1, 5, 7, 8, and 11 over the United States' only European-style race course. 

Some $13 million will be offered on the 12-race Sept. 7 card, potentially making it America's richest day of racing outside Breeders' Cup Championship Saturday. The day represents Kentucky Downs' invigorated efforts to attract international horses while promoting the day's graded stakes as launching pads to the Breeders' Cup.

The six stakes each will be worth $2 million for registered Kentucky-breds, including the first grade 1 race in track history: the Franklin-Simpson (G1T) for 3-year-olds at 6 1/2 furlongs. Also, the 1 5/16-mile Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon (G3T) purse is doubling to $2 million, pending regulatory approval, since the stakes schedule was first announced in April. Horses that do not qualify for the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund money will compete for $1 million, still making those races among the most lucrative Breeders' Cup preps.

The unprecedented card includes the Kentucky Turf Cup, which is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series "Win and You're In" qualifier for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T), both at 1 1/2 miles. Also featured is the Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint (G2T), a six-furlong "Win and You're In" race for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at five furlongs.

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 82 stakes races in 12 countries, the winners of which receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. Winners must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by Oct. 21. 

In addition, Kentucky Downs will pay the pre-entry and entry fees for the winners of three other Sept. 7 stakes who make the field for the corresponding Breeders' Cup race, either by earning enough points or being chosen by the selection committee. Besides the Franklin-Simpson and Ladies Marathon, the third race is the Mint Millions Mile (G3T) for 3-year-olds and up. 

The sixth race of the U.S. Open Turf Championships is the Music City (G2T) for 3-year-old fillies at 6 1/2 furlongs.

"We are pleased to again partner with Kentucky Downs to provide winning connections with fantastic incentives and awards via the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series," said Dora Delgado, executive vice president and chief racing officer for Breeders' Cup Limited. "The commitment of Kentucky Downs and FanDuel to recruiting international contenders aligns perfectly with our approach as a global festival of racing, and we look forward to welcoming contenders who find success at this meeting to the Breeders' Cup World Championships in the fall at Del Mar."  

FanDuel TV has enjoyed extensive partnerships with the Breeders' Cup and Kentucky Downs.

"We are delighted to be the title sponsor of the inaugural FanDuel TV U.S. Open Turf Championships," said Kevin Grigsby, FanDuel TV's executive producer. "Our collaborative relationship with Kentucky Downs for the past three years has been popular with our account-holders and viewers alike and we are looking forward to bringing world-class turf racing to our audience. This spectacular day of racing will serve as a key stepping stone on the road to the Breeders' Cup World Championships in November and we are excited to showcase Kentucky Downs' full fields and quality racing with full coverage every day of the prestigious meet."