Keeneland
Stonestreet sponsorship boosts purse of Lexington Stakes
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The purse of the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland here has been raised to $200,000 from $150,000 due to a sponsorship agreement between the track and Stonestreet, the racing and breeding operation owned by Barbara Banke, the track announced on Tuesday.
The Lexington, which is restricted to 3-year-olds and is run at 1 1/16 miles on the main track, is scheduled for April 15 this year, three weeks prior to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. The race has been run continuously since 1984.
Stonestreet was founded by Banke and her late husband, Jess Jackson. Stonestreet frequently consigns horses to sales run by Keeneland, the largest Thoroughbred auction house in the U.S.