New Thoroughbred Championship Series Includes Saratoga Springs

On Monday, August 3rd the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and Churchill Downs Incorporated announced the formation of the “Thoroughbred Championship Series.” A new season-long championship for 3-year-olds that will include six races across Saratoga Race Course, Belmont Park, and Churchill Downs Racetrack. 

The inaugural season commences next year in 2027 which includes the Kentucky Derby and newly created Championship Race at the Churchill Downs Race Track, the Belmont Stakes and Matt Winn Stakes at Belmont Park, and the Jim Dandy Stakes and Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. 

This season-long championship is the first of its kind in horse racing, targeted at a younger generation of sports fans according to Churchill Downs Incorporated CEO Bill Carstanjen.

“Today’s fans experience sports differently than they did a decade ago. They want stories that unfold over time. They want rivalries, standings, and meaningful competition that builds from one event to the next. They want a championship they can follow throughout an entire season, and they want to see a champion crowned each year to celebrate.”

The Thoroughbred Championship Series aims to provide enticing storylines for fans; and a five-million-dollar prize pool to incentivize owners and trainers to participate. 

This new championship series puts Saratoga in the spotlight of it all, using the Jim Dandy Stakes and Travers Stakes amid a larger championship. 

Notably the Preakness, the second Stake in the racing calendar for the Tripple Crown is excluded from the Thoroughbred Championship Series. 

Churchill Downs Incorporated tried to purchase the rights to the Preakness Stakes and Black-Eyed Susan Stakes last month. However, the former owner of both Stakes, 1/ST Maryland LLC had a deal that Maryland could match any offer to buy the rights, and that’s exactly what they did. 

The Maryland Economic Development Corporation finalized the rights of the Preakness Stakes and Black-Eyed Susan Stakes for 85 million dollars. This came less than a week before NYRA and Churchill Downs Inc. announced the formation of the Thoroughbred Championship Series. 

Time will tell if the Thoroughbred Championship Series establishes itself with the same prestige as the Tripple Crown, or if it will captivate a younger demographic. 

As for Saratoga Race Course, each race in the series will be nationally broadcasted, furthering its reputation as a worldwide destination for premier horse racing.