Horse Racing News is the source of thoroughbred racing information with horse racing odds, betting tips, racing picks, race results, and handicapping. Latest news and articles on top horse racing contenders, jockeys, trainers, three-year-olds, race tracks, and major stakes races such as the Triple Crown races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes as well as the Breeders' Cup horse races.Calder Announces Record 2006 Stakes Schedule
Posted on Friday, February 24th, 2006
Calder Race Course will offer 45 stakes worth a record $6.7 million during the track’s 35th season. A total of 112 racing days have been scheduled for 2006, including the Tropical at Calder meet, which will feature 25 of those stakes worth a record $3.06 million.
Highlighting Calder’s meet will once again be the Summit of Speed, which enters it seventh season. Set for July 15, Summit of Speed boasts racing’s richest day of sprints, including the Princess Rooney H. (G1) and Smile Sprint H. (G2), each worth $500,000. Two other graded events — $300,000 Carry Back S. (G2) and $300,000 Azalea Breeders’ Cup S. (G3) — will join four other sprints on the day’s card.
"The plans are in place, now we look forward to carrying them out," said Mike Anifantis, who was appointed Calder’s racing secretary after the passing of Bob Umphrey. "The foundation that Bobby set here over the years is solid and we’ll build further upon it. Events like the Summit of Speed have already proven successful and now it’s my job to see that the momentum continues."
Changes from last year include the Dr. Fager and Desert Vixen divisions of the Florida Stallion S. getting purse increases from $75,000 to $100,000. Another way officials are marking the 25th anniversary of the Florida Stallion S. is by increasing the purses of the Affirmed and Susan’s Girl divisions, the second legs in the series, from $125,000 to $150,000 each. The last races of the series, the In Reality and My Dear Girl divisions, will remain at $400,000 and take place on Festival of the Sun Day, October 14.
One of those special race days is scheduled for July 22. The "Extreme Day at the Races" will feature stakes with an extreme theme, such as the two-furlong Rocket Man S. for two-year-olds and up as well as the new two-mile Bob Umphrey Turf Marathon. The latter event is the longest stakes in the country and will be worth $250,000. Another "extreme" event on the day is the seven-furlong Methuselah H. for six-year-olds and up.
Nine graded events will take place during the Tropical at Calder meet. Some of the major events scheduled for that fall meet include the November 11 Florida Million program as well as the Grand Slam I, II and III (on December 2, 16, 30).
"Calder Announces Record 2006 Stakes Schedule" was posted on Friday, February 24th, 2006 at 1:35 pm and is filed under Calder Race Course, Horse Racing Industry, Race Tracks News, USA Horse Racing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Previous Horse Racing News Entry:
Brother Derek Aims for Santa Catalina
Next Horse Racing News Entry:
Late Lasix Shot Triggers Investigation in Del Mar Race