Arapahoe packages four biggest stakes on one card

Arapahoe Park plans to put on the richest day of racing in the history of Colorado at its upcoming meet by packaging its most prestigious Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse stakes into a single program Aug. 16. The closing-day card will be worth more than $385,000, with the four stakes on the program to include a pair of Thoroughbred offerings, the $100,000 Gold Rush Futurity and $100,000 Arapahoe Park Classic.

Arapahoe opens its 39-date mixed meet on May 22.

The Gold Rush Futurity will be run over six furlongs. The Arapahoe Classic, for 3-year-olds and up, is at 1 1/8 miles. The other major race on the card will be the $160,000 Mile High Futurity for Quarter Horses.

“This is going to be the biggest season we’ve ever hosted at Arapahoe Park,” Bill Powers, director of racing for Arapahoe, said in a release. “Not only are we excited for our Colorado-based horses, but also for a good crop of horses to come to Colorado to contest our premier races.”

Arapahoe’s stakes schedule opens with the $40,000 Inaugural for 3-year-olds at six furlongs May 23. Other highlights include the $40,000 Colorado Derby at 1 1/16 miles July 12 and the $40,000 Columbine Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles July 26.