Three $100k stakes brighten final weekend

There are no major changes to the stakes schedule for the 2002 Fairplex Park meeting Sept. 13-29 at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona. The schedule is nearly identical to the one offered in 2001.

Last year's meeting was scheduled for 18 days, but there was no racing on Sept. 11 after the terrorist attacks.

The year's 17-day meeting has at least one stakes a day and five worth $100,000 or more. There are no graded stakes, but many of the stakes are used as preps for the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meeting in October and early November.

The traditional three $100,000 stakes on the final weekend will serve as the championships of the meeting - the Las Madrinas Handicap for fillies and mares on Sept. 29, the Pomona Derby for 3-year-olds on Sept. 30, and the Ralph M. Hinds Pomona Invitational Handicap on Sept. 29.

The closing-day program also features the $50,000 Governor's Cup for sprinters, which last year was run on a Monday, which was closing day.

On the preceding weekend, there are two $100,000-estimated stakes, the Debutante and the Juvenile, at 6 1/2 furlongs for 2-year-olds that passed through the ring at the Barretts Sales.

Last year, the Debutante carried a purse of $95,600, while the Juvenile was worth $103,650.