Keeneland announces record stakes schedule

Last updated: 7/6/05 7:49 PM

Racing will return to Keeneland on October 7
(Joseph DiOrio/Horsephotos.com)

Keeneland will offer its richest stakes schedule ever during its 17-day fall
meet, which begins October 7 and continues through October 29. The picturesque
Lexington, Kentucky, track will offer 19 stakes races worth $5,075,000. In
addition, six stakes races have received purse increases totaling $475,000.

FallStars Weekend, which takes place during the first three days of the meet,
features seven graded races, including three Grade 1s, that serve as
stepping stones to the Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.

Opening day features the $400,000 Alcibiades S. (G2) and the $150,000
Sycamore Breeders’ Cup S. (G3). On the following day, the $600,000 Shadwell Turf
Mile S. (G1), the $500,000 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and the $250,000 Phoenix
Breeders’ Cup S. (G3) take center stage. On Sunday, fillies and mares are
featured in the $500,000 Spinster S. (G1), the $400,000 Galaxy S. (G2) and the
$100,000 Woodford County S. The Galaxy will be run at one mile on the turf. Last
year, it was contested at 1 3/16 miles on the turf for $500,000.

The $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. (G1) is set for October 15.
The invitational race for three-year-old fillies is run at 1 1/8 miles on the
turf.

Overall, 13 of the 19 stakes are graded and 11 will be run on the turf. On 14
of the 17 days, there will be at least one stakes race.

The Thoroughbred Club of America S. (G3) was awarded a $175,000 purse
increase and will be worth $300,000. The Perryville S. (G3), which received
graded status this year, and the Raven Run S. (G2) each received a $100,000
boost and are worth $200,000 and $300,000, respectively. The Bryan Station S.,
which was run last year as the Storm Cat S., rises from $100,000 to $150,000.
The Valley View S. (G3) and the Woodford each were given a $25,000 increase with
the former worth $125,000.

“We take great effort to examine our schedule, especially how it fits with
the rest of the country,” said Keeneland’s Director of Racing Rogers Beasley.
“For instance, changing the distance on the WinStar Galaxy provides horseman
with a much-needed opportunity to race fillies and mares who like to go a mile
on the turf. At $300,000 each, the Lexus Raven Run and The Thoroughbred Club of
America have become among the richest races in their divisions.”