NYRA, Churchill announce series for 3-year-old fillies

The New York Racing Association and Churchill Downs Inc. will combine to offer a four-race series for 3-year-old fillies in 2027 that will include a points-based competition with a $1 million prize pool to be split among the three-highest ranked horses in the standings, the two companies announced in a press release Wednesday.

The four Grade 1 races include the Kentucky Oaks (April 30) at Churchill Downs, the Acorn at Belmont Park (June 4), and the Coaching Club American Oaks (July 24) and Alabama (Aug. 21) at Saratoga.

The series of races for 3-year-old fillies, known as the Oaks Division, is an expansion of the Thoroughbred Championship Series for 3-year-old colts, the Derby Division, announced by the two companies earlier this year. That series includes six races, starting with the Kentucky Derby and ending with a yet-to-be-named race at Churchill Downs on Sept 25.

According to the press release, the Oaks Division winner also will be invited to compete in the last leg of the division for colts. In addition to any purse earnings, the filly will receive a guaranteed bonus for competing in that September race, which could be worth as much as $1 million if she wins.

It was unclear how many of the four races a filly would have to run in to be eligible to compete for the bonus pool money.

When announcing the Derby Division of the series, it was said that a 3-year-old had to run in at least four of the races to be eligible to compete for $5 million in bonus money that will be split between the top eight earners.

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