Labor Day weekend marks the symbolic end of summer and with that comes a massive weekend horse racing schedule at North America’s top tracks as their summer meets wind down. Under normal circumstances that would be enough for overflow handle at all of the race tracks but this year is over the top. The Kentucky Derby, which is normally run on the first Saturday in May, will take place on Saturday to headline a Churchill Downs schedule that resembles Breeders’ Cup weekend as far as quality. Also offering a top-quality card is Saratoga with a strong slate of big money races. If ever there was a weekend in which horse racing put its best foot forward this would be the one.
Let’s now take a look at the highlights of this week’s schedule from tracks across North America!
Churchill Downs - Louisville, Kentucky – Saturday
Of course, Derby Day means the ultimate date at Churchill Downs. A whopping 14 races are on the Saturday card with seven features staring with the $500,000 Grade 2 American Turf. Then there is the $500,000 Grade 1 Derby City Distaff. Also, featured on the card is the $200,000 Grade 3 Iroquois. Another headline race is the $500,000 Grade 2 Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile. A must see will be the $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic. Yet another big one is the $500,000 Grade 2 Pat Day Mile. Most important of all is the $3 million Grade 1 Kentucky Derby.
Saratoga – Saratoga Springs, New York – Saturday and Sunday
As one would expect Saratoga will have a big Saturday of action with 12 races and four features. There are two $200,000 Grade 2 races Saturday with the Glens Falls and Prioress Stakes. The $150,000 Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes is another headliner as is the $500,000 Grade 1 Woodward. Sunday is also impressive with 11 races and three features starting with the $150,000 Grade 2 Honorable Miss Handicap. Then there is the $85,000 Lucky Coin Stakes. The main event is the Grade 1 $250,000 Spinaway Stakes.
Gulfstream Park – Hallandale, Florida – Saturday and Sunday
Saturday’s Gulfstream schedule features 10 races and four features. The Bear’s Den and Miss Gracie are worth $75,000 each. The $300,000 Grade 2 Princess Rooney Invitational and the $200,000 Grade 3 Smile Sprint are the headliners. And then on Sunday is a schedule of 10 races featured by the $100,000 Sheer Drama.
Monmouth Park – Oceanport, New Jersey – Saturday and Sunday
There are 10 races on the Saturday Monmouth Card headlined by the $150,000 Red Bank Stakes. There are 10 more races scheduled for Sunday with the main event being the $100,000 Sapling Stakes.
Woodbine – Rexdale, Ontario – Saturday and Sunday
On Saturday there are 11 races at Woodbine featuring the $125,000 Grade 3 Vigil Stakes. Sunday offers a card of 11 races.
Del Mar- Del Mar, California – Saturday and Sunday
Saturday’s Del Mar card has 12 races with the main event being the $150,000 Grade 2 John C Mabee. On Sunday Del Mar brings 12 more races and two features starting with the $250,000 Del Mar Debutante Stakes. Also headlining for Sunday is the $200,000 Grade 2 Del Mar Derby.
Remington Park - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Saturday
There are nine races on the card for Remington Park on Saturday.
Laurel Park – Laurel, Maryland – Saturday
Saturday brings 10 races to the Laurel Park schedule
Delaware Park – Wilmington, Delaware – Saturday
A total of 10 races are on the Delaware Park card for Saturday.
Prairie Meadows - Altoona, Iowa – Saturday and Sunday
Saturday and Sunday each have 10 races to the Prairie Meadows card.
Arlington Park - Arlington Heights, Illinois – Saturday
Arlington Park has eight races on its Saturday schedule.
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