The Kentucky Derby will now kick off a new 6-race ‘Thoroughbred Championship Series’ starting next year. The series will begin on the first Saturday in May with the Kentucky Derby and run through September, featuring three big venues in horse racing: Churchill Downs, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course.
Series Details
The hope is that this series will help fans stay engaged with the sport throughout the season, even after the Derby ends. Three-year-old thoroughbreds are eligible to participate, and a unified point system will encourage these horses to compete against each other more often during the year. A $5 million prize pool will be awarded based on final standings in the series.
The 2027 Thoroughbred Championship includes six races: the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve at Churchill Downs Racetrack on May 1, the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets at Belmont Park on June 5, the Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs Racetrack in July, the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in late July/early August, the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in late August, and the Championship Race at Churchill Downs Racetrack in September. Each race will be broadcast on national television.
Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.
