The annual Virginia-Bred Stakes Day at Laurel is scheduled for Saturday September 24th at Maryland’s Laurel Park and this year, a total of eight turf stakes are on the program. The traditional five, at a $60,000 purse level and open to Commonwealth-bred horses, include the Jamestown, Punch Line, Oakley, Bert Allen and Brookmeade Stakes. The first three are sprints at 5 1/2 furlongs and the latter pair are at the 1 1/16 miles distance.
A trio of graded stakes, all of which were held at Colonial Downs at one time, will also be contested. A pair of Grade 2, $200,000 stakes — the Commonwealth Turf Cup and Commonwealth Derby — share co-headlining status, and the Grade 3, $150,000 Commonwealth Oaks will complement the pair.
Virginia-bred One Go All Go won the 2015 Commonwealth Derby (Gr. II) Sept. 19th at Laurel. Photo by Jim McCue.
Nominations close on Thursday September 15th. Contact Coleman Blind at the MCJ at cblind@marylandracing.com or at 301-725-0400.
Last year, the afternoon featured deep fields, exciting finishes and large wagering pools. The VEA encourages all fans of Virginia racing to attend this year, not just for a great race day, but to check out many of the renovations and upgrades that have taken place at nearby Laurel Park.