Churchill Downs Update: Stuffed Stakes Schedule for Thanksgiving Week at Churchill Downs

Nov 20, 2024

Thanksgiving week at Churchill Downs offers a thrilling conclusion to the Fall Meet with nine stakes races boasting $3.1 million in purses. The action is headlined by the $600,000 Clark presented by Norton Healthcare (Grade II) on Black Friday, Nov. 29, which provides top-level horses a prime opportunity to end their year on a high note.

Other highlights include the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) and $400,000 Golden Rod (GII) – key Prep Season races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, respectively – along with the $300,000 Mrs. Revere (GIII) for 3-year-old fillies on turf and the $400,000 Falls City (GII) for fillies and mares on Thanksgiving Day.

Here’s a look at some of the known contenders for each of the stakes:

 

Thursday, Nov. 28

 

·         $400,000 Falls City (GII) for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles:

o    Lexa (Whit Beckman)

o    Musical Mischief (Michael McCarthy)

o    Tarifa (Brad Cox)

·         $300,000 Cardinal (GIII) for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf:

o    Duvet Day (IRE) (Michael McCarthy)

 

Friday, Nov. 29

 

·         $600,000 Clark presented by Norton Healthcare (GII) for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles:

o    Cooke Creek (Mike Maker)

o    Hit Show (Brad Cox)

o    Most Wanted (Brad Cox)

o    Rattle N Roll (Kenny McPeek)

·         $300,000 Mrs. Revere (GIII) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on turf:

o    Kathrynmarissa (Rick Dutrow Jr.)

o    Kehoe Beach (Wesley Ward)

 

Saturday, Nov. 30

 

·         $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) for 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles:

o    Clock Tower (Wesley Ward)

o    Filoso (Chad Summers)

o    First Resort (Eoin Harty)

o    Jonathan's Way (Phil Bauer)

·         $400,000 Golden Rod (GII) for 2-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles:

o    Flash Wear (Tommy Vance)

o    My Lil Punky (John Ennis)

·         $225,000 Ed Brown for 2-year-olds at 6 ½ furlongs:

o    Lil Muggs (Greg Foley)

·         $225,000 Fern Creek for 2-year-old fillies at 6 ½ furlongs:

o    Book’em (Bret Calhoun)

 

Sunday, Dec. 1

 

·         $250,000 Cherokee Mile for 3-year-olds and up at one mile:

o    Injunction (Doug Cowans)

 

Several top local trainers, like Brad Cox, have stated that they will work their possible stakes contenders this week before making a final decision on race placement.

 

$3.2 MILLION PURCHASE BARNES ENTERED NEXT WEDNESDAY FOR ZEDAN RACING STABLES, BAFFERT – Zedan Racing Stables’ $3.2 million unraced 2-year-old colt, Barnes, is set to make his debut next Wednesday at Churchill Downs in a 5 ½-furlong maiden special weight contest for trainer Bob Baffert. This would mark Baffert’s first start beneath the Twin Spires since the end of his three-year suspension by Churchill Downs Incorporated in 2021.

Named in honor of Baffert’s longtime assistant Jimmy Barnes, the highly regarded Into Mischief colt is slated to break from post No. 3 under jockey Martin Garcia. Carded as Race 7 at 3:55 p.m., the race drew a field of 11 juveniles.

Barnes, unnamed at the time of the Oct. 30-Nov. 1 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, he closed as the 39-1 ninth betting choice in the field of 40.

Barnes is scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs on Thursday along with stablemate Nooni.

 

DOWN THE STRETCH – Racing resumed Wednesday at Churchill Downs for the start of another five-day week with daily first posts of 1 p.m. The main track was listed as “good” during training hours but was expected to be “fast” by first post. Race 4 began the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot which stood at $128,612. … Jockey Tyler Gaffalione took off his mounts Wednesday after recovering from a spill Saturday. The 30-year-old rider plans to be back in the saddle Thursday. … TwinSpires will host a $1,000 qualifier to the Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge/National Handicapping Championship on Saturday. The contest will award seats to both contests plus cash prizes. For more information, visit www.twinspires.com/tournaments. … For the latest information about the Churchill Downs Fall Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com.