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| Staff Writer |
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One week before the May 3 Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs opens with a nighttime card to kick off its 43-day spring meet on April 26, with all eyes focused on the draw for America's most famous race.
While the US$200,000 Roxelana Stakes features on the evening's card at 9:40 p.m. ET, the most eagerly awaited activities will take place about two hours earlier when post positions are drawn for the Gr.1 Kentucky Derby and the May 2 Gr.1 Kentucky Oaks . The pivotal draws, determining starting positions for the Run for the Roses, will take place mid-card between races 5 and 6 from 7-8 p.m. ET.
The Derby draw holds immense significance for connections, with inside and outside posts traditionally presenting different tactical challenges around Churchill's mile and a quarter classic distance. Last year's race attracted over 156,000 spectators, highlighting the importance of this preliminary event for America's most prestigious three-year-old contest.
On Derby day itself, changes are being considered to the traditional race spacing, with Gary Palmisano, vice president of racing for Churchill Downs Inc., revealing: "Instead of 50 minutes between races, we might do 42 or 44 or something like that to try to bring an extra race into NBC."
Ten races feature on the Saturday night programme that launches Derby week festivities. The evening's feature, the Roxelana Stakes, sees Irad Ortiz Jr riding Donamire Farm's Harbor Springs, expected to be among the favourites in the eight-horse field of older female sprinters. The Greg Foley-trained 4YO daughter of Lookin At Lucky, graded placed last spring at Keeneland, comes off two consecutive victories in allowance company.
Non Violence and Sandy Bottom also contest this supporting feature as Churchill's turf course returns to action following winter maintenance.
"We brought in some turf blankets, which we've seen tracks like NYRA use, and that really helped insulate it and protect it, especially during some of the real bad snowstorms that we had," said Palmisano. "We had Jose Ortiz out there and a couple other riders that gave us a thumbs up on the turf."