Stars of Racing World Nominated for Kentucky Derby Week Stakes Races

Apr 15, 2024

– Some of the world’s best horses are set to compete at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby week in 22 stakes events worth a whopping $17.5 million.

 

Nominations for all Kentucky Derby week stakes races outside the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) and $1.5 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) totaled 709 horses.

 

The Grade I events run over Kentucky Derby and Oaks Days include the $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (31 nominations); $1 million Churchill Downs presented by Ford (31 nominations); $1 million Derby City Distaff presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery (26 nominations); and $1 million Fasig-Tipton La Troienne (21 nominations).

 

Fasig-Tipton has partnered with Churchill Downs to sponsor three races over the course of the year. In addition to the La Troienne, Fasig-Tipton will sponsor the $500,000 Fleur de Lis (GII) on June 29 and the September Meet’s Locust Grove.

 

Top horses nominated to Kentucky Derby week stakes events include Godolphin’s Makers Mark Mile (GI) winner Master of The Seas (IRE) (Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic); Juddmonte’s champion older filly & mare Idiomatic (La Troienne); Godolphin’s Kentucky Oaks winner and champion 3-year-old filly Pretty Mischievous (La Troienne); and Pamela Ziebarth’s Beholder Mile (GI) winner Sweet Azteca (Derby City Distaff).

 

Wednesday also marked the second closing for the Longines Kentucky Oaks. The lone filly to be a late nomination was Valene Farms’ Accommodate Eva, currently No. 23 on the preference list.

 

The full list of nominations is available online at Equibase.com under the Horsemen section or https://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbHorsemenAreaSNHW.cfm?trk=CD.
ABOUT CHURCHILL DOWNS RACETRACK

Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”), the world’s most legendary racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875. Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September, and the Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a year-round simulcast wagering facility and Race and Sports Book. www.ChurchillDowns.com.

 

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