{"id":6983,"date":"2023-09-13T11:52:35","date_gmt":"2023-09-13T16:52:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/equestrianinfluence.com\/horsehappenings\/?p=6983"},"modified":"2023-09-13T11:52:35","modified_gmt":"2023-09-13T16:52:35","slug":"road-to-kentucky-derby-150-begins-saturday-at-churchill-downs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/equestrianinfluence.com\/horsehappenings\/road-to-kentucky-derby-150-begins-saturday-at-churchill-downs\/","title":{"rendered":"ROAD TO KENTUCKY DERBY 150 BEGINS SATURDAY AT CHURCHILL DOWNS"},"content":{"rendered":"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Monday, Sept. 11, 2023)<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 The Road to Kentucky Derby 150 will begin Saturday at Churchill Downs where\u00a0Winchell Thoroughbreds<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0Three Chimneys Farm<\/b>\u2019s impressive maiden special weight winner\u00a0Risk It<\/b>\u00a0headlines a field of nine 2-year-olds that entered the 42nd<\/sup>\u00a0running of the Grade III, $300,000 Iroquois Stakes.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Iroquois Stakes is the first of 37 races on the traditional Road to the Kentucky Derby where horses will attempt to qualify for the 150th<\/sup>\u00a0Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) to be staged on Saturday, May 4, 2024. The Iroquois will award the top five finishers points on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale as the first of 21 \u201cPrep Season\u201d races.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Saturday\u2019s Iroquois, which was shortened in distance in 2023 from 1 1\/16 miles to one-mile, will be run as Race 9 with a post time of 4:55 p.m. (all times Eastern). The first of 11 races will get underway at 12:45 p.m. The spectacular card will also feature the $300,000 Pocahontas (GIII), the kickoff on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. The other stakes on the program are the $400,000 Locust Grove (GIII), $300,000 Open Mind (Listed) and $300,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hall of Fame trainer\u00a0Steve Asmussen<\/b>\u00a0will attempt to win his fourth-career Iroquois with his trainees Risk It and\u00a0Edified<\/b>. Risk It, a precocious 2-year-old son of Gun Runner, dominated a six-furlong maiden special weight contest on Aug. 19 at Saratoga by 4 \u00bd lengths under jockey\u00a0Tyler Gaffalione<\/b>. Risk It earned a solid 91 Brisnet speed rating for his debut win. Gaffalione will be back aboard in the Iroquois from post No. 8.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Asmussen\u2019s second entry in the Iroquois,\u00a0Courtlandt Farms<\/b>\u2019 Edified, broke his maiden on July 1 at Ellis Park by a widening 3 \u00bd lengths at odds of 9-1. The runner-up in that race,\u00a0Liberal Arts<\/b>, returned to break his maiden at Ellis Park and will once again face Edified in the Iroquois. Jockey\u00a0Ricardo Santana Jr<\/b>. will have the mount on Edified from post 4.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Asmussen previously won the Iroquois with\u00a0Lucky Player<\/b>\u00a0(2014),\u00a0Astrology<\/b>\u00a0(2010) and\u00a0Capt. Candyman Can<\/b>\u00a0(2008).<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Another visually impressive maiden special weight winner that entered the Iroquois is\u00a0Mellon Patch<\/b>\u2019s\u00a0Patriot Spirit<\/b>. Trained by\u00a0Mike Campbell<\/b>, Patriot Spirit powered clear to a six-length victory on debut at Colonial Downs. The son of Constitution arrived to Churchill early Monday morning in preparation for Saturday\u2019s race. He\u2019ll once again be ridden by veteran\u00a0Jesus Castanon<\/b>\u00a0from post 9.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Here is the complete field for the Iroquois from the rail out (with jockey and trainer): Liberal Arts (Cristian Torres, Robert Medina);\u00a0West Saratoga<\/b>\u00a0(Rafael Bejarano, Larry Demeritte);\u00a0Union Roll<\/b>\u00a0(Gerardo Corrales, Todd Pletcher); Edified (Santana, Asmussen);\u00a0Market Street<\/b>\u00a0(Gabe Saez, Wayne Lukas);\u00a0Seize the Grey<\/b>\u00a0(Jaime Torres, Wayne Lukas);\u00a0Gettysburg Address<\/b>\u00a0(Flavien Prat, Brad Cox); Risk It (Gaffalione, Asmussen); and Patriot Spirit (Castanon, Campbell).<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Iroquois Stakes is part of the Breeders\u2019 Cup \u201cDirt Dozen\u201d where the top three finishers will receive a partial credit towards their entry fees in the $2 million Breeders\u2019 Cup Juvenile on Nov. 3 at Santa Anita.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fans can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs on\u00a0www.TwinSpires.com<\/a>, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Kentucky Derby. Handicappers\u00a0Joe Kristufek<\/b>,\u00a0Scott Shapiro<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0Kaitlin Free<\/b>\u00a0will provide additional insight and selections on the simulcast feed which can be viewed on TwinSpires or the Churchill Downs App on smart TVs.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fans can also watch all of the races from Churchill Downs on FanDuel TV and the FanDuel+ app. Several FanDuel TV hosts and handicappers will be live on-site throughout the September Meet including\u00a0Andie Biancone<\/b>,\u00a0Christina Blacker<\/b>,\u00a0Caton Bredar<\/b>,\u00a0Matt Carrothers<\/b>,\u00a0Larry Collmus<\/b>,\u00a0Gabby Gaudet<\/b>,\u00a0Joaquin Jaime<\/b>,\u00a0Mike Joyce<\/b>,\u00a0Caleb Keller<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0Todd Schrupp<\/b>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For more information about the Churchill Downs September Meet, visit\u00a0www.ChurchillDowns.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

ELLIS PARK DEBUTANTE WINNER HOT BEACH FACES ULTRA-COMPETITIVE FIELD IN POCAHONTAS INCLUDING KENTUCKY JUVENILE WINNER YOUALMOSTHADME<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 Saturday\u2019s 55th<\/sup>\u00a0running of the $300,000 Pocahontas (Grade III) features an ultra-competitive group of nine 2-year-old fillies including\u00a0Boarshorts Stables<\/b>\u2019 Ellis Park Debutante heroine\u00a0Hot Beach<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0Qatar Racing<\/b>,\u00a0Swinbank Stables<\/b>,\u00a0Steve Adkisson<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0Black Type Thoroughbreds<\/b>\u2019 Kentucky Juvenile winner\u00a0Youalmosthadme<\/b>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Run at one mile, the Pocahontas Stakes is the first race on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks and will award qualifying points to the top five finishers on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale toward the 150th<\/sup>\u00a0running of the Longines Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 3, 2024.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Pocahontas Stakes will go as Race 7 of 11 with a post time of 3:50 p.m. Saturday\u2019s stakes bonanza will also feature the $300,000 Iroquois Stakes (GIII), $400,000 Locust Grove (GIII), $300,000 Open Mind (Listed) and $300,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society. First post is 12:45 p.m.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hot Beach broke her maiden by two lengths in the Ellis Park Debutante under jockey\u00a0Declan Cannon<\/b>. The\u00a0Brian Lynch<\/b>-trained daughter of Omaha Beach defeated fellow Pocahontas rivals\u00a0Riperton<\/b>\u00a0and Youalmosthadme one month ago in the seven-furlong race. Jockey\u00a0Flavien Prat<\/b>\u00a0will pick up the mount on Hot Beach in the Pocahontas from post No. 9.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Chief among Hot Beach\u2019s rivals in the Pocahontas is Youalmosthadme, who returns to Churchill Downs where she demolished her rivals in the Kentucky Juvenile by 8 \u00be lengths. Trained by\u00a0Brad Cox<\/b>, Youalmosthadme stumbled badly at the start of the Ellis Park Debutante but recovered to finish third as the heavy 4-5 favorite.\u00a0Tyler Gaffalione<\/b>, who was in the saddle for the Kentucky Juvenile, will have the call in the Pocahontas from post 7.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Another intriguing filly that entered the Pocahontas is\u00a0MJM Racing<\/b>\u2019s\u00a0V V\u2019s Dream<\/b>, who finished second to future Grade I winner\u00a0Brightwork<\/b>\u00a0in the Debutante Stakes at Ellis Park. Trained by\u00a0Kenny McPeek<\/b>, V V\u2019s Dream has been on the sidelines since her runner-up effort 10 weeks ago. Prior to the Debutante Stakes, V V\u2019s Dream convincingly won her debut at Churchill Downs by 6 \u00bc lengths. Jockey\u00a0Brian Hernandez<\/b>\u00a0Jr<\/b>. will be aboard from post 6.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 McPeek is not a stranger to winning the Pocahontas. The veteran conditioner previously won the race with\u00a0Fun and Feisty<\/b>\u00a0(2022),\u00a0Daddys Lil Darling<\/b>\u00a0(2016) and\u00a0Dothraki Queen<\/b>\u00a0(2015).<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Here is the complete field for the Pocahontas from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):\u00a0Empire Island<\/b>\u00a0(Ricardo Santana Jr., Norm Casse);\u00a0Peignoir<\/b>\u00a0(Luan Machado, Rodolphe Brisset); Riperton (Cristian Torres, Paulo Lobo);\u00a0Raining Sugar<\/b>\u00a0(James Graham, Riley Mott);\u00a0Regal Rumor<\/b>\u00a0(Mickaelle Michel, Wayne Catalano); V V\u2019s Dream (Hernandez, McPeek); Youalmosthadme (Gaffalione, Cox);\u00a0Courbe<\/b>\u00a0(Rafael Bejarano, Todd Pletcher); and Hot Beach (Prat, Lynch).<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Pocahontas Stakes is part of the Breeders\u2019 Cup \u201cDirt Dozen\u201d series where the top three finishers will be awarded partial entry fees toward the $2 million Breeders\u2019 Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) held on Nov. 3 at Santa Anita.<\/p>\n

Fans can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs on\u00a0www.TwinSpires.com<\/a>, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated.<\/p>\n

\n

GRADE I WINNER PAULINE\u2019S PEARL RETURNS IN $400,000 LOCUST GROVE<\/b>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Stonestreet Stables<\/b>\u2019 accomplished 5-year-old mare\u00a0Pauline\u2019s Pearl<\/b>\u00a0tops a field of 11 entered in Saturday\u2019s 39th<\/sup>\u00a0running of the Grade III, $400,000 Locust Grove at Churchill Downs.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The 1 1\/16-mile Locust Grove, which serves as a local prep toward the Breeders\u2019 Cup Distaff (GI), will go as the 10th<\/sup>\u00a0race on the stakes-laden 11-race program. Post time is 5:26 p.m. The stellar afternoon of racing will also feature the $300,000 Iroquois (GIII), $300,000 Pocahontas, $300,000 Open Mind (Listed) and $300,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society. First post is 12:45 p.m.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Trained by\u00a0Steve Asmussen<\/b>, Pauline\u2019s Pearl gamely returned to the winner\u2019s circle in the $400,000 Fleur de Lis (GII) where she dug in late to defeat\u00a0Bellamore<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0A Mo Reay<\/b>\u00a0by three-quarters of a length. Prior to the Fleur de Lis, Pauline\u2019s Pearl was the half-length winner of the 2022 La Troienne (GI) at Churchill Downs.\u00a0Ricardo Santana Jr<\/b>. will have the mount in the Locust Grove from post No. 2.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The deep field in the Locust Grove also includes Grade I winner A Mo Reay; Groupie Doll Stakes winner\u00a0Falconet<\/b>\u00a0and multiple graded stakes winner\u00a0Search Results<\/b>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Here is the complete field for the Locust Grove from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):\u00a0Soul of an Angel<\/b>\u00a0(Ajhari Williams, Gerald James); Pauline\u2019s Pearl (Santana, Asmussen);\u00a0Le Da Vida<\/b>\u00a0(CHI<\/b>) (Vince Cheminaud, Ignacio Correas IV); Search Results (Tyler Gaffalione, Chad Brown);\u00a0Misty Veil<\/b>\u00a0(James Graham, Mike Maker);\u00a0Hidden Connection<\/b>\u00a0(Cristian Torres, Bret Calhoun); A Mo Reay (Flavien Prat, Brad Cox);\u00a0Fannie and Freddie<\/b>\u00a0(Corey Lanerie, Al Stall Jr.);\u00a0Music Street<\/b>\u00a0(Declan Cannon, Whit Beckman); Falconet (Gerardo Corrales, Todd Pletcher);\u00a0Royal Take<\/b>\u00a0Charge (Rey Gutierrez, Al Stall Jr.).<\/p>\n

Fans can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs on\u00a0www.TwinSpires.com<\/a>, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated.<\/p>\n

\n

TOP SPRINTER BANGO WILL ATTEMPT TO TIE ALL-TIME CHURCHILL DOWNS WINS RECORD IN LOUISVILLE THOROUGHBRED SOCIETY<\/b>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Tamaroak Partners<\/b>\u2019 crack sprinter\u00a0Bango<\/b>\u00a0will attempt to notch his record-tying 11th<\/sup>\u00a0win beneath the historic Twin Spires in Saturday\u2019s third running of the $300,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The six-furlong Louisville Thoroughbred Society was tabbed as Race 4 on the 11-race program. First post is 12:45 p.m. and the Louisville Thoroughbred Society will go at 2:13 p.m. Saturday\u2019s spectacular card at Churchill Downs also features the kickoff of the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks with the $300,000 Iroquois (GIII) and $300,000 Pocahontas (GIII), respectively. The other supporting stakes are the $400,000 Locust Grove and $300,000 Open Mind.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes, Bango would tie\u00a0Ready\u2019s Rocket<\/b>\u00a0with a victory. Trained by\u00a0Greg Foley<\/b>, Bango hasn\u2019t finished worse than second in his last seven starts. As a 6-year-old, Bango has recorded victories in the St. Matthews Stakes and Kelly\u2019s Landing. Jockey\u00a0Tyler Gaffalione<\/b>\u00a0will be back aboard Bango in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society from post No. 4.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The compact field in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society also includes\u00a0The Scherr Boys<\/b>\u2019 Mighty Beau winner\u00a0Necker Island<\/b>;\u00a0Godolphin<\/b>\u2019s multiple graded stakes placed\u00a0Strobe<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0Kueber Racing<\/b>\u2019s recent allowance winner\u00a0Gulfstream<\/b>\u00a0Way<\/b>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Here is the complete field for the Louisville Thoroughbred Society in order of post positions (with jockey and trainer):\u00a0Baytown Bear<\/b>\u00a0(Jane Elliot, Paul McEntee);\u00a0Awesome Aaron<\/b>\u00a0(Rafael Bejarano, Troy Green); Strobe (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox); Bango (Gaffalione, Foley); Gulfstream Way (Ricardo Santana Jr., Norm Casse); and Necker Island (Mitchell Murrill, Chris Hartman).<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fans can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs on\u00a0www.TwinSpires.com<\/a>, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated.<\/p>\n

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MULTIPLE GRADED STAKES WINNER WICKED HALO LEADS FIELD IN $300,000 OPEN MIND<\/b>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Winchell<\/b>\u00a0Thoroughbreds<\/b>\u2019 multiple graded stakes winning-sprinter\u00a0Wicked Halo<\/b>\u00a0headlines a field of six fillies and mares that entered Saturday\u2019s 14th<\/sup>\u00a0running of the $300,000 Open Mind (Listed) at Churchill Downs.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Run at six furlongs, the Open Mind is one of five stakes events on the Saturday card. The Open Mind will go as Race 6 of 11 with a post time of 3:18 p.m. The other stakes on the card are the $400,000 Locust Grove (GIII), $300,000 Iroquois (GIII), $300,000 Pocahontas (GIII) and $300,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society. First post is 12:45 p.m.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Eight-time winner Wicked Halo drew post No. 2 in the Open Mind. Trained by\u00a0Steve Asmussen<\/b>, Wicked Halo has been the mark of consistency throughout her 15-race career. The daughter of Gun Runner has only finished off the board once and has banked purse earnings of $1,297,700. Wicked Halo\u2019s r\u00e9sum\u00e9 includes victories in the Prioress (GII), Raven Run (GII) and Twin Bridges Stakes which she won seven weeks ago at Ellis Park. Jockey\u00a0Tyler Gaffalione<\/b>\u00a0will be back aboard Wicked Halo in the Open Mind.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Chief among Wicked Halo\u2019s rivals in the Open Mind is\u00a0Mr. and Mrs. Tsunebumi Yoshihara<\/b>\u2019s five-time winner\u00a0Yuugiri<\/b>. Trained by\u00a0Rodolphe Brisset<\/b>, the speedy Yuugiri set the pace in the 2022 Longines Kentucky Oaks (GIII) but faded to 13th<\/sup>. Following the Oaks, Brisset cut Yuugiri back in distance to one-turn and has notched victories in the Carousel Stakes at Oaklawn and Saylorville Stakes at Prairie Meadows. Jockey\u00a0Flavien Prat<\/b>\u00a0has the mount from the rail.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Here is the complete field for the Open Mind from the rail out (with jockey and trainer): Yuugiri (Prat, Brisset); Wicked Halo (Gaffalione, Asmussen);\u00a0Fire On Time<\/b>\u00a0(Martin Garcia, Dale Romans);\u00a0More Than Vows<\/b>\u00a0(Rafael Bejarano, Brian Lynch);\u00a0Ten Rings<\/b>\u00a0(Joe Talamo, Jeff Engler); and\u00a0Sharp Hero<\/b>\u00a0(Julien Leparoux, Bradley Ross).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Monday, Sept. 11, 2023) – The Road to Kentucky Derby 150 will begin Saturday at Churchill Downs where Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm’s impressive maiden special weight winner Risk It headlines a field of nine 2-year-olds that entered the 42nd running of the Grade III, $300,000 Iroquois Stakes.           The Iroquois Stakes is the first of 37 races on the traditional Road to the Kentucky Derby where horses will attempt to qualify for the 150th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6984,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[97,52,2044],"tags":[2274,1785,2275,2279,2281,2280,2277,266,2283,2273,2270,2278,2282,2272,2092,2271,2276],"class_list":["post-6983","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english-events-magazine","category-events-magazine","category-magazine","tag-2274","tag-1785","tag-000-iroquois-stakes","tag-000-locust-grove-giii","tag-000-louisville-thoroughbred-society","tag-000-open-mind","tag-000-pocahontas-giii","tag-churchill-downs","tag-edified","tag-risk-it","tag-road-to-kentucky-derby-150","tag-road-to-the-kentucky-oaks","tag-steve-asmussen","tag-three-chimneys-farm","tag-tyler-gaffalione","tag-winchell-thoroughbreds","tag-woodford-reserve"],"yoast_head":"\nROAD TO KENTUCKY DERBY 150 BEGINS SATURDAY AT CHURCHILL DOWNS - Horse Happenings<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/equestrianinfluence.com\/horsehappenings\/road-to-kentucky-derby-150-begins-saturday-at-churchill-downs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"ROAD TO KENTUCKY DERBY 150 BEGINS SATURDAY AT CHURCHILL DOWNS - Horse Happenings\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Monday, Sept. 11, 2023) – The Road to Kentucky Derby 150 will begin Saturday at Churchill Downs where Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm’s impressive maiden special weight winner Risk It headlines a field of nine 2-year-olds that entered the 42nd running of the Grade III, $300,000 Iroquois Stakes.           The Iroquois Stakes is the first of 37 races on the traditional Road to the Kentucky Derby where horses will attempt to qualify for the 150th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/equestrianinfluence.com\/horsehappenings\/road-to-kentucky-derby-150-begins-saturday-at-churchill-downs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Horse Happenings\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-09-13T16:52:35+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/equestrianinfluence.com\/horsehappenings\/files\/2023\/09\/LOGO-Road-to-the-Kentucky-Derby-Woodford-Reserve.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2150\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1319\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Equestrian Influence\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Equestrian Influence\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/equestrianinfluence.com\\\/horsehappenings\\\/road-to-kentucky-derby-150-begins-saturday-at-churchill-downs\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/equestrianinfluence.com\\\/horsehappenings\\\/road-to-kentucky-derby-150-begins-saturday-at-churchill-downs\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Equestrian Influence\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/equestrianinfluence.com\\\/horsehappenings\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/1441f9ad6430b09304207a82aeb83ca3\"},\"headline\":\"ROAD TO KENTUCKY DERBY 150 BEGINS SATURDAY AT CHURCHILL DOWNS\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-09-13T16:52:35+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/equestrianinfluence.com\\\/horsehappenings\\\/road-to-kentucky-derby-150-begins-saturday-at-churchill-downs\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2034,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/equestrianinfluence.com\\\/horsehappenings\\\/road-to-kentucky-derby-150-begins-saturday-at-churchill-downs\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/equestrianinfluence.com\\\/horsehappenings\\\/files\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/LOGO-Road-to-the-Kentucky-Derby-Woodford-Reserve.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"$300\",\"$400\",\"000 Iroquois Stakes.\",\"000 Locust Grove (GIII)\",\"000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society.\",\"000 Open Mind\",\"000 Pocahontas (GIII)\",\"Churchill Downs\",\"Edified\",\"Risk It\",\"Road to Kentucky Derby 150\",\"Road to the Kentucky Oaks\",\"Steve Asmussen\",\"Three Chimneys Farm\",\"Tyler Gaffalione\",\"Winchell Thoroughbreds\",\"Woodford Reserve\"],\"articleSection\":[\"English\",\"Events\",\"Horse Happenings\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/equestrianinfluence.com\\\/horsehappenings\\\/road-to-kentucky-derby-150-begins-saturday-at-churchill-downs\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/equestrianinfluence.com\\\/horsehappenings\\\/road-to-kentucky-derby-150-begins-saturday-at-churchill-downs\\\/\",\"name\":\"ROAD TO KENTUCKY DERBY 150 BEGINS SATURDAY AT CHURCHILL DOWNS - 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