While not affecting the Kentucky Derby (G1) directly, it’s a kernel of news from Churchill Downs involving races run on Derby Day.
Churchill Downs, Royal Ascot, and Epsom Downs, three iconic racetracks, announced Tuesday (Dec. 12) an automatic entry/travel incentive plan for the winners of four graded turf stakes during Derby week.
Here’s the deal:
— Winner of the 1 1/8-mile Turf Classic (G1) on Derby Day (May 4), receives a berth in either the 1-mile Queen Anne (G1) on June 18 at Royal Ascot or the 1 1/4-mile Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1) the next day.
— Winner of the Turf Sprint (G2) on Derby Day receives a berth in the 5-furlong King Charles III (G1) at Ascot on June 18.
— Winner of the 1 1/16-mile American Turf (G2) on Derby Day receives a berth in the 1 1/2-mile Derby (G1) at Epsom Downs on June 1.
— Winner of the 1 1/16-mile Edgewood (G2) on Kentucky Oaks day (May 3) receives a berth in the 1 1/2-mile Oaks (G1) at Epsom Downs on June 1.
European Dominance in Turf Races: Can American Horses Bridge the Gap?
The rest of the partnership includes:
A runner from the Prince of Wales’s and the Queen Anne each receive berths to the 1 1/4-mile Arlington Million (G1) in August at CDI-owned Colonial Downs in Virginia.
A runner from the Falmouth (G1) at Newmarket in July receives a berth to the 1 3/16-mile Beverly D. (G1) in August at Colonial Downs.
It’s a lot to take in, but at least it’s creative. Whether it is successful remains to be seen. Although the incentives cover travel expenses, it seems like a tough sell for owners and trainers on both sides of the Atlantic.
The races are prestigious enough, and the idea is to have more American-based turf horses compete against European turf horses, whether at home or abroad. The Breeders’ Cup has made inroads to that end, but Euros have usually dominated the turf races through the years.
Enhancing Global Horse Racing: Churchill’s Link with Royal Ascot and Breeders’ Cup
Would winning owners of the designated turf races at Churchill jump at the chance to send their horse 4,000 miles to Royal Ascot? Then return, and hopefully regroup in time for the summer season, say, at Saratoga or Del Mar, and then Breeders’ Cup in November?
It’s been done, and successfully by Wesley Ward. In 2009, he became the first American trainer to win at Royal Ascot when his Strike the Tiger won the Windsor Castle at 33-1 odds. Through the years, he’s won no less than 12 races at Royal Ascot.
Then again, this is horse racing. Most owners embrace a challenge, especially if it takes them to track meccas such as Royal Ascot. This is not a sure thing, but it will be interesting to see how it plays out.
Interestingly, this new agreement comes after Churchill Down spent millions on a new turf course the past few years, and issues arose to the point of canceling turf racing at times because track officials were not satisfied with the condition of the surface.
“ …. More recently we’ve annually seen some of our country’s top turf horses compete on the undercard of the Kentucky Derby, and this partnership will give owners and trainers based in Europe a good incentive to bring some of their top horses over to experience Kentucky Derby week,’’ said Gary Palmisano Jr., executive director of racing for Churchill Downs Inc. “Not only is this a great opportunity for connections based in Europe, but this will give our owners and trainers here in North America a shot to compete on the international stage.”
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
