Churchill Downs News Release: Churchill Downs to Host 11 Stakes Worth $3.575 Million During 14-Day September Meet; Fall Meet to Features 16 Stakes Worth $5 Million

Aug 07, 2025

A stakes schedule packed with $3.575 million in purses will headline this year’s 14-day September Meet at Churchill Downs, which runs Thursday, Sept. 11 through Sunday, Sept. 28 and features 11 stakes contests over three action-packed weekends.

Saturday, Sept. 13 sets the tone with five high-quality stakes races led by the $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Locust Grove (Grade II) and the first points events on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks: the $300,000 Iroquois (GIII) and $300,000 Pocahontas (GIII). The program also features the $300,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society (Listed) and $300,000 Open Mind (Listed).

The second Saturday of the meet on Sept. 20 includes four more stakes topped by the $300,000 Dogwood presented by Resolute Racing (GIII) along with the $300,000 Bourbon Flight, $300,000 Harrods Creek and $175,000 Seneca Overnight Stakes (Listed).

The stakes action concludes Saturday, Sept. 27 with a duo of marquee races: the $500,000 Lukas Classic (GII) and $400,000 Ack Ack (GIII). Named for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who passed away earlier this summer, the Lukas Classic has developed into a key local prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI), which takes place this year on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

The September Meet will open with a Thursday-Sunday schedule during the first week, followed by Wednesday-Sunday racing during the final two weeks. First post is 12:45 p.m. (all times Eastern) most days, with a special 5 p.m. first post each Thursday for Twilight Thursday.

Four weeks later, Churchill Downs will host its 26-day Fall Meet from Sunday, Oct. 26 through Sunday, Nov. 30 with 16 stakes worth $5 million.

Thanksgiving weekend once again anchors the Fall Meet with two of the season’s biggest race days: Friday, Nov. 28 will be headlined by the $600,000 Clark presented by Norton Healthcare (GII) and $300,000 Mrs. Revere (GII); and Saturday, Nov. 29 features the Stars of Tomorrow II card headlined by the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) and $400,000 Golden Rod (GII).

The meet will open with the first Stars of Tomorrow card on Sunday, Oct. 26 led by the $200,000 Street Sense (GIII) and $200,000 Rags to Riches (Listed).

September Meet On-Track Events:

Twilight Thursdays featuring $2 select domestic beer, live music and food trucks (Sept. 11, Sept. 18, Sept. 25)
First Responders Day with free admission for all first responders (Thursday, Sept. 11)
College Day with $20,000+ in scholarships, free general admission for students with a valid college I.D. and a meet-and-greet with the Bellarmine Men’s Basketball Team (Saturday, Sept. 13)
Stakes Room Brunch (Sundays: Sept. 14, Sept. 21, Sept. 28)
Senior Day with discounted admission and dining (Friday, Sept. 19)
Family Adventure Day in partnership with Louisville City FC, Racing Louisville and Blessings in a Backpack featuring player meet and greets, a soccer activation and player stick pony races in the paddock (Sunday, Sept. 21)
Thoroughbred Aftercare Day in partnership with Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance recognizing the work of equine aftercare organizations (Saturday, Sept. 27)
Fall Meet On-Track Events:

Trick or Treat at the Track with more than 15 kid-friendly activities and trick-or-treat stations (Sunday, Oct. 26)
Stakes Room Brunch (Sundays: Oct. 26, Nov. 2, Nov. 9, Nov. 16, Nov. 23, Nov. 30)
Breeders’ Cup Watch Parties (Friday, Oct. 31 and Saturday, Nov. 1)
Senior Days (Wednesdays: Nov. 5 and Nov. 19)
Military Appreciation Day presented by Coca-Cola (Sunday, Nov. 9)
27th Claiming Crown Championship Series (Saturday, Nov. 15)
Family Photos at the Track (Sunday, Nov. 16)
Thanksgiving Weekend with five days of racing and major stakes (Wednesday, Nov. 26 – Sunday, Nov. 30)
Football Day in the Bluegrass (Saturday, Nov. 29)
For more information about the September or Fall Meets, visit churchilldowns.com.

Complete stakes schedule: September and Fall Meet Stakes Schedules