Fasig-Tipton to Sponsor Two KY Downs Stakes
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Fasig-Tipton Co. has signed on to be title sponsor of two $300,000 distaff turf stakes to run Sept. 19 at Kentucky Downs as part of "Fasig-Tipton Ladies Day."
The $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Ladies Turf, formerly the Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf, will be contested at one mile, and the $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Ladies Marathon, formerly the Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon, will be run at 1 5/16 miles on Kentucky Downs' European-style course. Both stakes are open to fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and older, with $200,000 from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF) included in the total purse offering for each.
"Quality races like the Ladies Turf and Ladies Marathon will attract top fillies and mares to Kentucky Downs," said Boyd Browning, president of Fasig-Tipton. "The timing of these races fits well with our upcoming yearling sales in Kentucky and Maryland and offers us a great opportunity to gain exposure to top owners and trainers."
The Kentucky Downs meet, which opens Saturday, Sept. 5, precedes Fasig-Tipton's important October sale, to be held Oct. 19-22 near Lexington. The October Sale has attracted a record number of 1,400 entries to date. Also upcoming on the Fasig-Tipton calendar is its annual Midlantic fall yearling sale Oct. 6 near Timonium, Md.
"Fasig-Tipton has a history of associating its brand with Thoroughbred racing's premier events and venues. We're glad to now be part of that select list," said Corey Johnsen, president of Kentucky Downs. "Among the goals of our racing program is to further enhance the value in Kentucky-breds, which we believe then can lead to more demand at auctions like those at Fasig-Tipton."
Kentucky Downs' 2015 meeting includes five racing dates (Sept., 5, 10, 12, 16, 19) with record purses totaling $7.5 million.