Record $26M in Purses on Deck for Churchill Spring Meet
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Photo: Mathea Kelley
Trikari wins the 2024 American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs
The American Turf Stakes (G1T) for 3-year-olds, annually staged on the Kentucky Derby (G1) undercard, had its purse raised to $1 million after the American Graded Stakes Committee elevated the 1 1/16-mile grass race to grade 1 status for 2025.
All told, 50 stakes races cumulatively worth a record $26,175,000—a $525,000 increase—are scheduled to be run during Churchill Downs' 2025 spring meet, which covers 43 race dates between April 26-June 29.
The highlights, as always, are the $5 million Kentucky Derby for 3-year-olds at 1 1/4 miles May 3, and the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles held one day prior.
The American Turf is one of four spring meet stakes that received purse hikes for 2025 and one of seven races that warranted upgrades by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.
Stakes Changes for 2025
- American Turf: Upgraded status from grade 2 in 2024 to grade 1 in 2025 and purse increased from $600,000 in 2024 to $1 million in 2025
- Aristides: Upgraded from listed to grade 3 status in 2025
- Chicago: Upgraded status from grade 3 in 2024 to grade 2 in 2025 and purse increased from $250,000 in 2024 to $300,000 in 2025
- Chorleywood: Received listed status in 2025 and purse increased from $175,000 in 2024 to $200,000 in 2025
- Isaac Murphy Marathon: Received listed status in 2025
- Mamzelle: Upgraded from listed to grade 3 status in 2025
- Maxfield: Purse increased from $175,000 in 2024 to $250,000 in 2025
- Roxelana: Received listed status in 2025
During Kentucky Derby week (April 26-May 3), there will be 22 stakes races cumulatively worth a record $17.9 million, including nine stakes totaling $11,150,000 on Derby Day and seven totaling $5.25 million on Oaks Day.
Ascot, Epsom Partnership Expanded
As was the case last year, Churchill Downs has partnered with Ascot Racecourse and Great Britain's The Jockey Club to extend a "wild card" entry initiative that ties together Kentucky Derby Week with the Betfred Derby Festival and Royal Ascot.
The winner of the American Turf on Kentucky Derby Day will receive an entry and travel stipend to compete in the Derby (G1) at Epsom June 7 and St. James's Palace Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot June 17, while the winner of the Edgewood Stakes (G2T) on Kentucky Oaks Day will receive the same benefits for the Oaks (G1) at Epsom June 6 and Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot June 20.
The winner of the Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) will receive a berth to either the Queen Anne Stakes (G1) or the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot, and the Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes (G2T) winner will receive an entry to the King's Charles III Stakes (G1), also staged at Royal Ascot.
In return, a runner from both the Queen Anne and Prince of Wales's will receive an entry and travel incentive to run in the Arlington Million Stakes (G1T) at Colonial Downs in mid-August. Also, a runner from the Falmouth Stakes (G1) will receive an entry and travel stipend for the Beverly D. Stakes (G2T) on the Arlington Million undercard.
Other spring meet highlights include Stephen Foster Preview Day May 31; Stephen Foster Day June 28; and five closing day stakes June 29.
Following its annual closure for wintertime renovations, the Churchill Downs stable area will reopen March 18. The first day of training on the main dirt track will be March 19.