Keeneland to offer record $9.6 million for stakes at fall meet

Keeneland will award a season-record $9.6 million for 22 stakes races during the 17 days of its fall meet from Oct. 4-26, the track announced Thursday.

The purses include a contribution of $1.35 million from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund, pending approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

The Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup for 3-year-old fillies on the turf will see its purse rise to $750,000, a $150,000 increase. Meanwhile, the Grade 3 Bryan Station for 3-year-olds on the turf will have its purse doubled to $600,000. Both races received purse increases as part of a strategy to enhance the calendar for turf 3-year-olds in Kentucky.

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“[These races] are receiving purse increases as part of Keeneland’s working relationship with Kentucky Downs, with the goal being to bolster the overall purse structure in Kentucky and specifically to strengthen the turf program for 3-year-olds,” Keeneland vice president of racing Gatewood Bell said. “Keeneland and Kentucky Downs would like to help facilitate a pattern of races for 3-year-old fillies and 3-year-old colts on the turf in the U.S. by trying to coordinate and work with other tracks throughout the country.”

Looking ahead to Keeneland’s 2025 spring meet, Bell said the purses of both the Grade 2 Appalachian for sophomore fillies and the Grade 3 Transylvania for 3-year-old males, both on the turf, will be increased as part of this incentive.

“We think these four races will provide a strong starting point in the spring and a nice conclusion to the season in the fall,” Bell said. “Keeneland is very appreciative of the support we receive from Kentucky Downs to help make this happen.”

The Keeneland fall meet opens with “Fall Stars Weekend,” front-loading the meet with eight “Win and You’re In” races for various Breeders’ Cup events on Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar. Grade 1 races on the weekend are the $600,000 Alcibiades on Oct. 4, the $1 million Coolmore Turf Mile, $600,000 Breeders’ Futurity, $750,000 First Lady on Oct. 5, and the $600,000 Spinster on Oct. 6. The Queen Elizabeth II the following weekend rounds out the meet’s Grade 2 action.

Of the 17 stakes at the meet, two received an upgrade from their 2024 status from the American Graded Stakes Committee, and received $50,000 purse boosts - the Grade 2, $350,000 Valley View and the Grade 3, $300,000 Perryville.

For the complete stakes schedule, click here.

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