New race series to mimic Triple Crown

Calder Race Course will hold a three-race series for 3-year-olds and up that will mirror the Triple Crown, to be called The Senior Triple.

The series will consist of three $50,000 stakes to be run on the same days and at the same distances as the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes.

The Old Kentucky Home will be run at 1 1/4 miles on May 7, the Maryland My Maryland at 1 3/16 miles on May 21, and the 1 1/2-mile New York New York will complete the series on June 11.

"The Senior Triple is a fun opportunity to reward the long-distance runners," said Calder's racing secretary, Bob Umphrey. "It's a concept that the horsemen will surely enjoy and one the fans can relate to."

The 2005 Calder meet opens on April 25.