Winter racing kicks off Thursday at Turfway

Four months of winter racing begin Thursday at Turfway Park with new post times and a new spot on the racing calendar for the northern Kentucky track’s showcase event, the Spiral Stakes.

The Grade 3 Spiral, first run in 1972, has been moved to April 2, its latest date ever. The Spiral traditionally had been held six weeks prior to the Kentucky Derby but now is five weeks out. The 142nd Derby will be run May 7.

Live racing will be conducted four days a week (Thursday through Sunday) in December and January with a 6:15 p.m. Eastern start every day except Sundays (2:30). The schedule is shortened to three days (Friday through Sunday) in February and March, with post times the same.

Nine races are carded for the Thursday opener. The first stakes comes Saturday with the $50,000 Holiday Inaugural.