With the 2019 Kentucky Derby at the doors of the enthusiasts, let’s discover how the racers get all peeped up for the day by warming up themselves and their horses with participation in the key races before they head into the years’ grand championship. Since the inaugural of the Kentucky Derby in May 1875, all the organisers, horse owners, fans and associates have been coming forward to enlighten the Derby spirit in excitement.
The following are the key races that prepare the horses and the racers for the 2019 Kentucky Derby championship:
Dubai World Cup
Dubai World Cup, inaugurated in 1996, is a Thoroughbred horse race held annually every last Sunday of March and is a part of Dubai World Cup Night of races that carries a purse of 12 million US dollar. The Dubai World Cup was the world’s richest horse race until it was usurped by Pegasus World Cup in 2017 who started a purse of 16 million US dollar. This race is run over about 10 furlongs or 2,000 meters.
Pegasus World Cup
The Pegasus World Cup is a race of thoroughbred horses which was inaugurated two years ago in 2017. The newest edition of the Pegasus World Cup started on January 28, 2019, that got into action at Gulfstream Park, Florida. This year, the Pegasus World Cup had two grades to compete. The Grade 1 prized for $9 million while Grade two for a $7 million prize at stake.
Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes is an American flat thoroughbred horse race held every third Saturday annually at Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore, Maryland. The race is a Grade 1 race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs or 1 3/16 miles (1,900 m) played on dirt. Preakness Stakes, inaugurated in 1873, is the second jewel of the Triple Crown held two weeks after Kentucky Derby.
Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes is an American Grade 1 stakes Thoroughbred horse race held annually on first or second Saturday of June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The race track is a 1.5 mile long or 2.4 km. Belmont Stakes race, also known as, The Test of the Champion and The Run for the carnations, has completed its 152 years and is counting since its inauguration in 1867.
Stephen Foster Handicap
Stephen Foster Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run in mid-June near the end of the Churchill Downs Spring Meet in Louisville, Kentucky. The race, Inaugurated in 1982, is named after the famous composer Stephen Foster. Stephen Foster Handicap is run on dirt and at a distance of 1 1/8 miles for three years old and above.
Whitney Stakes
Also called as Whitney Handicap, Whitney Stakes is held annually in late July or early August at Saratoga Springs, New York. This race is an American Grade 1 stakes race for Thoroughbred racehorses for 3 years old and older run for a distance of 1 1/8 miles with a current purse of $1,200,000. Whitney Stakes was inaugurated in the year 1928, and since then has been counting its success.
Travers Stakes
Travers Stakes, an American Grade 1 Thoroughbred horse race inaugurated in 1864 at Saratoga Race Course Saratoga Springs, New York with a distance of 1 ¼ mile or 10 furlongs was nicknamed as the Mid-Summer Derby and the third-ranked race for American classified by the international classifications. The purse was increased from $1 million in 1999 to $1,250,000 in 2014 and again renewed in 2015 to $1,600,000 because of American Pharoah.
Woodward Stakes
Woodward Stakes is an American Grade 1 stakes race named after William Woodward. The race is run at 1 1/8 miles on the dirt with a current purse of $750,000. Woodward Stakes was inaugurated in 1954 at Aqueduct Racetrack and then at Belmont Park in late September.
Breeders’ Cup Mile
Breeders’ Cup Mile is a 1-mile Grade 1 Weight for Age stakes race for thoroughbred 3 years old and older. This race is run on a grass course with a purse ranging from $1.5 million to $2 million in 2007. Breeders’ Cup Mile was inaugurated in 1984.
Breeders’ Cup Turf
The Breeders’ Cup Turf race is a weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race for 3 years old and up that is held annually in a different racetrack. The race was inaugurated in 1984 and run on grass with a purse of $4 million with a distance of 1 ½ mile.
Also, this edition of Breeder’s Cup including all versions and edition will be shown on TV. All sports TV including TVG.com
wish to telecast this prestigious horse racing event.
Breeders’ Cup Classic
The Breeders’ Cup Classic race is a Grade 1 Weight for Age thoroughbred horse race for 3 years old and older run at a distance of 1 ¼ mile on dirt. It is also run annually in different race tracks like Breeders’ Cup Turf. The race was inaugurated in 1984.
These races can help the fans determine who will possibly win on the next race as here the racers put an out-show of their abilities on the field preparing themselves for the next world cup.
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