Grade 1, $500,000 Breeders’ Futurity; 1 1/16 miles; Keeneland; Oct. 7, 2017
(10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)

Winner: Free Drop Billy, by Union Rags
Trainer: Dale Romans
Jockey: Robby Albarado
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables
Beyer Speed Figure: 79

Grade 1, $500,000 Champagne Stakes, one mile, Belmont Park, Oct. 7, 2017
(10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)

Winner: Firenze Fire, by Poseidon’s Warrior
Trainer: Jason Servis
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Owner: Mr. Amore Stable
Beyer Speed Figure: 90

Grade 1, $301,380 FrontRunner Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Santa Anita, Sept. 30, 2017
(10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)

Winner: Bolt d’Oro, by Medaglia d’Oro
Trainer: Mick Ruis
Jockey: Corey Nakatani
Owner: Ruis Racing LLC
Beyer Speed Figure: 100

Delta Downs announced Wednesday it was cancelling eight stakes races for 2017 including the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot and the $500,000 Delta Downs Princess Stakes.

Delta said the economic impact from Hurricane Harvey spurred the stakes cancellation, which includes races in October and November worth $2.3 million. Delta is located in Vinton, La., not far from the Texas border. Owned by Boyd Gaming, Delta operates a casino that generates a significant portion of purse money.

Delta Downs is considering the elimination of eight stakes races in October and November, including the track’s signature race, the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot.

Delta is located in Vinton, La., close to the Texas border and part of an area hard hit by Hurricane Harvey. Delta relies on the Houston metropolitan area, which experienced catastrophic damage from Harvey, for much of its business, and a decline in casino revenues since the hurricane has compromised the purse fund for Delta’s upcoming 2017-2018 race meeting.

A series of races designed to attract a horse from Europe in addition to the series of races similarly designed for a Japanese runner, which debuted last year, are among the highlights of the preps for the 2018 Kentucky Derby, which were announced on Thursday by Churchill Downs.

The annual showcase event at Turfway Park, the Spiral Stakes, has undergone a reduction in its point value toward Kentucky Derby eligibility and a major purse cut.

Kevin McFarland found himself back in the winner’s circle at a major tournament this past weekend, winning the Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge and netting more than $272,000 in the process.

“It’s a great tournament,” McFarland said. “I continue to believe that these tournaments have to be on racing’s biggest days. That’s what makes them better.”

Always Dreaming gets away cleanly from the gate while to the outside, Irish War Cry veers in causing chain-reaction bumping with McCraken and Classic Empire.

Despite unseasonably cool temperatures, the lack of a popular contender, and a quirky wet track, wagering on the Kentucky Derby and its supporting card Saturday at Churchill Downs set records, with total betting surpassing $200 million for the first time on a North American race card, according to the race charts.