Ballysax Added to European Road to the Kentucky Derby

Jun 11, 2020 Churchill Downs Communications

Churchill Downs Racetrack today announced that the Ballysax Stakes (Group 3) would be added to the “European Road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve,” the series of races that could produce a starter in America’s greatest race.

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), the national authority for Thoroughbred racing in Ireland, worked to transfer the Ballysax from Leopardstown to Dundalk Racecourse. The 1 5/16-mile race for 3-year-olds will be staged Sunday, July 12 over Dundalk’s all-weather synthetic surface.

The points for the top four runners will be 30-12-6-3.

“We’re very appreciative of the cooperation shown by the HRI, Leopardstown and Dundalk Racecourse to assist our efforts with the European Road to the Kentucky Derby,” said Mike Ziegler, executive director of racing for Churchill Downs Incorporated.

Six races on the European Road to the Kentucky Derby, which carves out a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate for a horse from Europe, have been run. Four Triple Crown nominees have accrued points in the series: Royal Dornoch (IRE) (10), Choice of Mine (AUS) (8), Shekhem (IRE) (4) and New World Tapestry (4).

The 146^th running of the 1 ¼-mile Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) was rescheduled from May 2 to Saturday, Sept. 5.