Keeneland adds 1 5/8-mile stakes

Keeneland Race Course has amended its spring stakes schedule, adding a $100,000 stakes race that is expected to become part of a nationwide series of races leading up to the new Breeders' Cup Marathon. As a result of adding the new stakes, Keeneland has assigned new dates to three of its other 18 stakes.

The new race is the $100,000 Fort Harrod Stakes, for older horses at 1 5/8 miles on Polytrack. The Fort Harrod will be run April 19 as a supporting feature to the Grade 2, $325,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes.

The revised stakes dates for the spring meet are: the Grade 3 Appalachian Stakes will be run April 16, the Grade 1 Royal Chase for the Sport of Kings will be run April 17, and the Grade 3 Grey Goose Bewitch Stakes will be run April 24.

The $500,000 BC Marathon is one of three new Breeders' Cup races for 2008. It will be run at 1 1/2 miles at Santa Anita.

The 16-day Keeneland spring meet runs April 4-25.