Sprint returns to anchor spring stakes schedule

SAN MATEO, Calif. - The return of the Grade 3 Bay Meadows Breeders' Cup Sprint highlights the $630,000 stakes schedule for the 28-day Bay Meadows spring meet that opens May 10.

The six-furlong race will be run June 10 with a $125,000 purse. It was not held last year when racing dates were shifted.

"We're glad to bring it back," racing secretary Tom Doutrich said. "Timing-wise it works well with the Southern California schedule."

The Sprint will be the lone graded stakes offered during the meet, which will include two $100,000 events.

The $100,000 California Turf Sprint Championship, traditionally held in September, will be run May 20. The five-furlong turf race, won last year by Exceeding, is for California-breds.

"They don't have something like that down south, so we're hoping for a good field," Doutrich said.

The $100,000 Bay Meadows Breeders' Cup Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on the turf will highlight the Memorial Day card on May 29.

The Memorial Day weekend will see two stakes offered on May 27: the San Matean Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on the turf and the Determine Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles. Both races will offer $60,000-added purses.

Rounding out the schedule are the $60,000 Monterey Handicap for fillies and mares at five furlongs on the turf on May 13, the $65,000 Hillsborough Handicap for fillies and mares at one mile on the turf June 10, and the Malcolm Anderson for 2-year-olds at five furlongs June 17.

2006 stakes schedule

*Cal.-breds