Churchill to run first 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Since Churchill first began running turf races in 1987, all sprints over the turf course have been at five furlongs. That’s about to change, as the first 5 1/2-furlong turf race will be run here Thursday as the seventh and featured race.

Adjustments have been made by Churchill so that the starting gate can be stationed just a few yards outside of the 5 1/2-furlong pole for such races. Part of prior reluctance to run the longer distance was that a crown on the outer edge of the course came into play. Churchill racing secretary Ben Huffman said most turf sprints going forward will be at 5 1/2 furlongs, and in fact another has been carded as race 6 Friday.

The impetus for the change came from officials at the Breeders’ Cup, who asked whether the BC Turf Sprint could be lengthened. The 35th Breeders’ Cup will be held here Nov. 2-3.

Victory to Victory, winner of the Grade 1 Natalma in September 2016, is among field of 11 fillies and mares in the Thursday feature, a $57,000 second-level allowance that has Gagaoveryou as a 2-1 morning-line favorite. First post is 5 p.m. Eastern, with the feature going at 7:54.

The jackpot for the 20-cent Single 6, which spans races 3 to 8, stands at $419,279 for Thursday.