The 33rd running of the Grade 2 Super Derby goes down this Saturday September 8 from Louisiana Downs. Three year olds will race 1 1/8 miles on Louisiana Downs' main track for their share of the $500,000 purse.
The Grade 2 Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes is on tap for this Saturday, September 8 from Presque Isle Downs. Fillies and mares three years old and upward will race 6 1/2 furlongs on Presque Isle Downs' all weather track in search of their share of the $400,000 purse.
The 54th running of the Grade 2 Bowling Green Handicap comes our way from the freshened-up re-opened Belmont Park on Saturday September 8. Horses three years old and upward will be after their share of the $200,000 purse when they go 1 1/4 miles on Belmont's inner turf course.
The culmination of the Del Mar summer meet takes place on Wednesday, September 5 with the main event being the 65th running of the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity for two year olds. $300,000 is on the line for juveniles willing to go seven furlongs on Del Mar's all weather track.
The Labor Day weekend signals the end to most people's summer but it doesn't mean the end of graded stakes action around North America. There were important races all over the continent this weekend and as per usual there were expected results, some shocking finishes and some horses that emerged as the class of their respective divisions. Let's take a look at nine of the races that took place over the weekend, starting with Saratoga.
Some of the best two year olds in the land will be featured in the Grade 2 Hopeful Stakes this Monday, September 3 from Saratoga in upstate New York. The Hopeful is a seven furlong dash on Saratoga's dirt track for a purse of $300,000.
The Grade 3 Smarty Jones Stakes is on tap for this holiday Monday, September 3 from Parx Racing just outside of Philadelphia. Three year olds will saddle up and go one mile, 70 yards on Parx main track for a nice purse of $350,000.
Del Mar Race Track in Southern California will be the scene of the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby this Sunday, September 2. Horses three years old will go one and one eighth miles on Del Mar's turf track for a nice purse of $300,000.
The 121 st running of the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes is on tap for this Sunday, September 2 from Saratoga Raceway in upstate New York. Two year old fillies will be featured when they go seven furlongs on Saratoga's main track in search of their share of the $300,000 purse.
The Grade 3 Cliff Hanger Stakes is on tap for Monmouth Park on the Jersey Shore this Saturday, September 1. A purse of $100,000 is on the line for horses three years old and upward willing to go one mile on Monmouth's turf track.
