Fairplex offers 17 stakes, drops one-a-day plan

The Los Angeles County Fair meeting at Fairplex Park in Pomona from Sept. 5-22 will feature 17 Thoroughbred stakes during its 16-day run, but the track has changed its policy from past years of having a stakes each day.

In an effort to promote the final weekend, Fairplex Park is offering two stakes on Sept. 20, including the $100,000 Pomona Derby, and four stakes on the final Sunday, Sept. 21, including the $125,000 Ralph Hinds Pomona Invitational and $100,000 Las Madrinas Handicap for fillies and mares.

There are no stakes on the meet's two Thursdays - Sept. 11 and 18 - or three Mondays - Sept. 8, 15, and 22.

The first Saturday and Sunday each have two stakes, all worth $65,000.

By far the biggest day will be Sept. 21. Nicknamed California Classics Day, the program also features two $65,000 races at 6 1/2 furlongs - the Governor's Cup for older horses and the Bangles and Beads for fillies and mares.

Two races have been renamed. The $65,000 Jim Kostoff Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 5, opening day, was previously known as the Derby Trial. The C.B. Afflerbaugh Stakes for 2-year-olds at 6 1/2 furlongs on Sept. 10 was previously known as the Beau Brummel Stakes.