Spendthrift Farm adds stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs
The Spendthrift Juvenile Stallion Stakes at Churchill Downs will be split into two divisions for the 2017 renewal, with the addition of a race for fillies.
Spendthrift Farm will also increase its contribution to the races from the $300,000 offered during the inaugural running last year to $400,000, which will be split evenly between the male and female divisions of the race to give each one purses of $200,000.
The races, restricted to 2-year-olds by Spendthrift Farm stallions, will be held during the opening day of Churchill’s fall meet on Oct. 29. Both races will be held at seven furlongs on the main track.
“The Spendthrift Juvenile Stallion Stakes was an overwhelming success last year, and we’re delighted to once again collaborate with Churchill Downs to build on that success,” said Spendthrift general manager Ned Toffey. “The addition of a fillies division is something that many of our breeders asked for, and this year we are happy to be able to provide it. It’s another way for us to help our breeders and the industry as a whole.”
The new race will be called the Spendthrift Juvenile Filly Stallion Stakes, while the colts and geldings division will continue to be run under its original name.
Spendthrift Farm stood more than 20 stallions during the 2014 breeding season, which produced the upcoming juvenile class, meaning more than 1,300 horses are eligible for the two races this year.
Last year’s inaugural Spendthrift Stallion Stakes attracted a field of 12 horses, and was won by Warrior’s Club, a Warrior’s Reward colt owned by the Churchill Downs Racing Club and trained by D. Wayne Lukas. Warrior’s Club went on to finish third in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill, and finished fourth on Monday in the Smarty Jones Stakes for 3-year-olds at Oaklawn Park.
“The creation of the Spendthrift Stallion Stakes for 2-year-olds is a unique concept that proved to be extremely popular with owners, breeders, and fans alike in 2016,” said Churchill Downs racetrack president Kevin Flanery. “We’re delighted to present these races on opening day of our fall meet, and Churchill Downs looks forward to cultivating this event with Spendthrift Farm in 2017.”