Chelmsford Winner to Receive Free Entry into the GI American Turf Stakes

[Wandering Eyes]

The winner of this year's £100,000 Cardinal Stakes will receive an automatic berth in the starting gate for the $1 million GI American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs on the Kentucky Derby undercard, Chelmsford City Racecourse announced on Monday.

Scheduled for Thursday, April 3, the Cardinal Stakes is a conditions race run over a mile and open to three-year-olds who will compete for the £51,540 on offer to the successful owner. The race also offers prize-money up to sixth place, a refund on entry fees if declared and financial support for international runners.

The American Turf was recently elevated to Grade I status by the American Graded Stakes Committee and received a prize-money boost from $600,000 to $1 million for 2025. Staged annually on the undercard of the GI Kentucky Derby, which takes place this year on Saturday, May 3, it is run over an extended mile for three-year-olds.

Neil Graham, racing director at Chelmsford City Racecourse, said, ”Chelmsford City Racecourse is delighted to be able to offer the winner of the Cardinal Stakes free entry into the $1,000,000 Grade 1 American Turf. This is an exciting opportunity for the winner of the Cardinal Stakes to be eligible to run in such a valuable race on Kentucky Derby day.

“We have been working closely with our partners at Churchill Downs since the race's inception in 2019, so it's great to be collaborating on something new which will hopefully see an increased participation from our runners in Kentucky.”

Entries for this year's Cardinal Stakes close on Friday, March 28. It was won in 2024 by the Richard Hughes-trained Bracken's Laugh (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}).

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