As the excitement builds for the 2023 Kentucky Derby, horse racing fans are eagerly anticipating the undercard races that will take place at Churchill Downs. One of the most highly anticipated races is the Turf Classic Stakes, which features some of the best turf horses in the world.
The Turf Classic Stakes is a Grade I race that is run on the turf course at Churchill Downs. The race is open to horses aged four and up and has a purse of $1 million. The race is run at a distance of 1 1/8 miles and is often seen as a key prep race for the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
One of the top contenders for the Turf Classic Stakes is likely to be Channel Maker. Trained by Bill Mott, Channel Maker has been a consistent performer on the turf and has won over $2.5 million in his career. He won the Grade I Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga in 2022 and finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
Another horse to watch in the Turf Classic Stakes is Domestic Spending. Trained by Chad Brown, Domestic Spending won the Grade I Hollywood Derby in 2021 and followed that up with a win in the Grade I Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic at Churchill Downs in May 2022. He has won six of his eight career starts and has earned over $1.5 million.
In addition to the Turf Classic Stakes, there are several other undercard races that will take place at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby day. One of these races is the Churchill Downs Stakes, a Grade II race for older horses that is run on the dirt at a distance of seven furlongs. The race has a purse of $500,000 and often attracts some of the top sprinters in the country.
One horse to watch in the Churchill Downs Stakes is likely to be Yaupon. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Yaupon has won six of his eight career starts and has earned over $1 million. He won the Grade I Forego Stakes at Saratoga in 2021 and finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
Another undercard race to keep an eye on is the American Turf Stakes, a Grade II race for three-year-olds that is run on the turf at a distance of 1 1/16 miles. The race has a purse of $500,000 and often features horses that are being pointed towards the Belmont Derby or the Secretariat Stakes later in the summer.
One horse to watch in the American Turf Stakes is likely to be Annex. Trained by Bill Mott, Annex won the Grade III Palm Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park in March 2022 and finished second in the Grade II American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs in May 2022. He has won three of his six career starts and has earned over $200,000.
As the 2023 Kentucky Derby approaches, horse racing fans are eagerly anticipating the undercard races that will take place at Churchill Downs. With top contenders like Channel Maker, Domestic Spending, Yaupon, and Annex set to compete, these races are sure to be exciting and highly competitive. Whether you’re a seasoned horse racing fan or a casual observer, be sure to tune in and get the inside scoop on all the odds and picks for these thrilling races.
