NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 8, 2013 – With a record breaking number of 73 horses entered to compete on May 11, race officials announce the addition of an eighth race to round out the 72ndrunning of the Iroquois Steeplechase.
“The George Sloan & John Sloan Sr. Sport of Kings Maiden Hurdle Race had 18 entries this year, which is the largest number of entries we’ve ever had in this race. To make it a safe and fair race for all competing, we’ve split this race into two divisions with nine horses competing in each division,” said Dwight Hall, race chairman of the Iroquois Steeplechase. “This is the first time in the Iroquois’ history that we’ve split the maiden race.”
Hall credits the Iroquois’ longstanding prestige, state-of-the-art race course, large purses and Nashville’s southern hospitality as to why more horses are competing this year.
“We’re thrilled that our race is still growing after 72 years, and I know everyone attending will be excited to get more time at the races on Saturday,” said Hall.
Racegoers will get an additional 40 minutes of Iroquois thrills with the first race starting at 1 p.m. and the eighth race, The Calvin Houghland Grade I Iroquois, running at 5:20 p.m. The new race schedule is as follows:
Race 1 (1:00 p.m.): The Guilford Dudley, Jr. Memorial Flat Race
Race 2 (1:35 p.m.): Division I: The George Sloan and John Sloan Sr. Sport of Kings Maiden Hurdle
Race 3 (2:10 p.m.): The Bright Hour Amateur Hurdle
Race 4 (2:55 p.m.): The Marcellus Frost Sport of Kings Novice Hurdles Stakes
Race 5 (3:30 p.m.): The Margaret Currey Henley Kings Filly and Mare Hurdle Stakes
Race 6 (4:10 p.m.): Division II: The George Sloan and John Sloan Sr. Sport of Kings Maiden Hurdle
Race 7 (4:45 p.m.): The Mason Houghland Memorial Timber Stakes
Race 8 (5:20 p.m.): The Calvin Houghland Iroquois Grade I Hurdle Stakes
For more information about the Iroquois, visit www.iroquoissteeplechase.org or call 1-800-619-4802. To receive instant text updates from Steeplechase, text TNSteeplechase to 86974.
About the Iroquois Steeplechase
Held on the second Saturday of every May at Nashville’s Percy Warner Park, the Iroquois Steeplechase is the premier spring race in American steeplechasing and Music City’s traditional rite of spring – typically attracting more than 25,000 spectators. Since being designated in 1981 as the official charity of the Iroquois Steeplechase, the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt has received more than $9 million from the event proceeds. For information on advance ticket purchases, corporate and hospitality tents, and tailgating and RV spaces, visit www.iroquoissteeplechase.org or call (615) 591-2991.