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.
Nominations close Thursday September 15th. Horsemen can submit those to Coleman Blind at Laurel. For info, e-mail cblind@marylandracing.com or call 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.
