Churchill Downs News Release: Racing Returns Thursday at 5 p.m. for Action-Packed 14-Day September Meet

Sep 04, 2026

Horse racing on the Kentucky horse racing circuit shifts to Churchill Downs on Thursday with the first of three Twilight Thursday programs at 5 p.m. (all times Eastern) as the famed Louisville racetrack opens its 14th annual September Meet for an action-packed 14-date run through Sunday, Sept. 27.

Thursday’s eight-race opener lured 76 entries for an average of 9.5 horses per race. A field of nine 3-year-olds and up at one mile was entered for the featured seventh race, a $134,000 second-level allowance/optional claiming ($80,000 claiming tag) event at one mile. Juddmonte homebred Bold Strength, ridden by Flavien Prat and trained by Brad Cox, is the 7-5 morning line favorite off a first-level allowance victory in June followed by a second-level third place finish at Saratoga on Aug. 14. Also, Wathnan Racing’s 4-year-old Into Mischief colt Hypnus, who last ran fifth in the $1 million Godolphin Mile (G2) on the Dubai World Cup undercard, makes his United States homecoming in this field against 2024 Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) winner First Resort, who is seeking to return to his best form.

The card also includes a $127,000 first level allowance for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs (Race 3) and two $120,000 maiden special weight for 2-year-olds at six furlongs (Races 4 and 6).

Friday’s 10-race card attracted 110 entries (98 in the body of the race and 12 also-eligibles). The 11-race program on Saturday drew 111 horses (107 plus four AEs) while Sunday’s 10-race card enticed 103 horses (100 plus three AEs). The average field size for the first four days of racing is 9.77 horses per race.

Horsemen will compete for $15.2 million (all purses include prize money from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund) offered in Vice President of Racing Ben Huffman’s September Meet condition book, which features 135 races including an 11-race stakes schedule cumulatively worth $3.6 million.

Average daily purses are $1,085,000 and the average race is worth $112,562. Maiden special weight races have a $120,000 purse while allowance races range from $127,000 to $141,000.

Five stakes races, including two important fixtures for juveniles that could produce starters in this year’s Breeders’ Cup and next spring’s Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) and the Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI), will be showcased Saturday afternoon. Total prize money for the 11-race program is a hefty $2.237 million – the most lucrative day of the boutique three-week stanza.

The $300,000 Iroquois (GIII) kicks off the Road to the 153rd Kentucky Derby series, while the $300,000 Pocahontas (GIII) starts the Road to the 153rd Kentucky Oaks. Additionally, both races are part of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Dozen Bonus Series program that awards a tiered bonus bankroll which can be utilized towards pre-entry and entry fees at the Breeders’ Cup for horses that finish first, second or third.

This year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be held in Kentucky on Oct. 30-31 just 72 miles east of Churchill Downs at Keeneland.
Undefeated Ellis Park Juvenile winner Salahudin, trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, heads the Iroquois and seven-length Ellis Park Debutante winner Manuka Honey tops the Pocahontas – both contested around a one-turn mile.

Splendora, the 2025 Champion Sprint Female Horse conditioned by Baffert, headlines the $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Locust Grove (GII) for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles. The 5-year-old mare has won four of her five starts this year, including the $300,000 Beholder Mile (GI), $300,000 Shawnee (GII) and $500,000 Molly Pitcher (GII).

Saturday’s stakes-laden program also includes the $300,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society (Listed), an open sprint for 3-year-olds and up at 6 ½ furlongs – won last year by eventual Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) champion Bentornato – and the $300,000 Open Mind (Listed) for female sprinters at six furlongs.

A rematch of June’s $275,000 Bango (GIII) between Harrodsburg and Built, who were separated by a half-length, will take place in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society. Harrodsburg hasn’t started in 11 weeks since that race, while Built returned to win the $400,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt (GII) at Saratoga in late July by 2 ½ lengths over Hymn, who subsequently prevailed in the $500,000 Forego (GI) on Aug. 29.

Grade I winner Usha, the Baffert trainee who won last year’s $300,000 La Brea (GI) and this spring’s $250,000 Winning Colors (GIII), leads the Open Mind.

Saturday’s program also includes a 2-year-old maiden special weight at one mile that attracted Coach Pope, who is named after the University of Kentucky men’s basketball coach and former player Mark Pope. Coach Pope, the Tapit colt trained by Kenny McPeek, finished second in his Aug. 8 debut at Saratoga, a half-length behind fast winner Gaudreau and a neck ahead of third-place finisher U. S. S. Valor, who returned last Saturday to romp by 13 ¼ lengths in fast fashion.

Other marque events during the September Meet include a nighttime stakes tripleheader under the lights on Saturday, Sept. 19: the $300,000 Dogwood presented by Resolute Racing (GIII) for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs; $300,000 Harrods Creek for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs; and $200,000 Seneca Overnight Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles.

Closing weekend is anchored by the $500,000 Lukas Classic (GII) for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles on Saturday, Sept. 26 and honors the legendary late Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. The Lukas Classic – the most lucrative race of the September Meet – serves as a prep for the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) five weeks in advance of the Halloween spectacular in Lexington.

Also run on Sept. 26 is the $400,000 Ack Ack (GIII) for 3-year-olds and up at one mile and the $300,000 Bourbon Flight for 3-year-olds, which has been reduced to 1 1/16 miles.

Five-Day Racing Weeks

Churchill Downs’ 14-day meet will be staged over three weeks from Thursday, Sept. 10 through Sunday, Sept. 27 with racing on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Outside of the three Twilight Thursdays (5 p.m. ET) and “Downs After Dark: Oktoberfest” on Saturday, Sept. 19 (6 p.m. ET), the first race for all other race days will be 12:45 p.m. ET. Nine races are scheduled on Wednesdays, eight races are scheduled on Thursdays with 10-race programs on Fridays and Sundays. Eleven races will be showcased each Saturday.

Popular 5 p.m. ‘Twilight Thursdays’ Return With $2 Beer at All General Admission Concession Bars

Churchill Downs will host three Twilight Thursdays from 5-8 p.m. which makes for an electric atmosphere with live racing, local music and a refreshed experience centered on the spacious and picturesque second-floor Paddock Terrace instead of its former location in the Paddock Plaza. Another new wrinkle this meet is that guests can enjoy $2 select domestic beers at all General Admission concession bars around the facility as well as bars in the Turf Club/Roses/Boxes, Finish Line Suites, Triple Crown Room and Champions/Gold Room. Additionally, there will be $8 select cocktails and expanded local food offerings including Big Nita’s Cheesecakes, Board and You and CASK Southern Kitchen & Bar on opening day.

The live music lineup features Haley Bundy (Sept. 10), The Dad Bods (Sept. 17) and Kevin Jaggers (Sept. 24).

General admission is $10 or a discounted rate for college students with a student ID or .edu email address purchased in advance through https://www.churchilldowns.com/visit/september-meet/twilight-thursdays-september-meet/.

Events for College Students on Twilight Thursdays: Equine Scholar Night, Greek Night, College Night

There’s added attractions each Thursday for area college students this September. Equine Scholar Night is Sept. 10 with discounted student tickets and an opportunity to sign up for scholarships; Greek Night is Sept. 17 where Red Bull will be on hand to give away prizes and the fraternity or sorority that sells the most tickets will receive a $2,000 philanthropy donation; and College Night is Sept. 24. Churchill Downs has teamed with the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association (KTA) and Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association (KHBPA) to award a $6,000 college scholarship to one winner on both Sept. 10 and Sept. 24.

First Responders Day on Friday, Sept. 11

Friday, Sept. 11 is First Responders Day as Churchill Downs salutes the service of local heroes, including firefighters, police officers, EMTs, paramedics and emergency dispatchers. There will be a special presentation of colors and “The Star-Spangled Banner” by the Kentucky State Police Honor Guard and KSP Officer Frank Russell. All first responders can purchase discounted tickets in Millionaires Row by calling (502) 636-4450 or through GOVX, at https://www.govx.com/a/601fe190-3f72-4d46-b698-08de73bbebad/churchill-downs.

Stakes Room Brunch Every Sunday

On Sundays during the September Meet, Churchill Downs is offering a Stakes Room Brunch. The $90 package for adults and $45 package for children includes a seat in the Stakes Room on the fourth floor of the Clubhouse and all-you-can-eat access to the brunch menu that includes scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, French toast, carved pork tenderloin, herb-rubbed chicken, southern short ribs, bacon, sausage, home-fried breakfast potatoes, cream cheese grits, vegetables, salads and assorted cookies, brownies, cakes and specialty desserts.

Senior Day on Friday, Sept. 18

The lone Senior Day of the September Meet at Churchill Downs is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 18. Guests 60 and up can enjoy lunch and a day at the races in Millionaires Row for $50. Senior Day tickets can be purchased by calling (502) 636-4450.

‘Downs After Dark: Oktoberfest” Set for Saturday, Sept. 19

Churchill Downs will stage an Oktoberfest-themed edition of its always-energetic Downs After Dark nighttime racing on Saturday, Sept. 19 that combines live racing with German-inspired food, drinks and entertainment under the lights. The first race is 6 p.m. ET.

A Biergarten on the first floor will offer a gathering space for guests, while Trackside Smokehaus near the paddock gate will serve Oktoberfest-themed dishes such as beer-braised Bierbratwurst with braised onions, German smoked brisket and a smoked chicken leg quarter finished with Krauterbutter herb butter. Churchill Downs has a Prost & Smokehaus VIP Package that features two distinct seating options with access near the track, each including a Smokehaus meal. The package also provides an exclusive 24-ounce Churchill Downs Oktoberfest stein, subject to availability, along with two 12-ounce Oktoberfest-style beers during the night.

Additional entertainment includes live music on the Paddock Terrace Overlook between races, a national anthem performance by the German-American Club and a Beer Wagon photo-op on the first floor.

Guests are encouraged to participate in the festivities with fall fashions or even lederhosen or dirndl.

Betting Menu Features Popular $3 Late Pick 3

Churchill Downs’ September Meet betting menu will mirror the Spring Meet, which features a popular $3 Late Pick 3, with a low 15% takeout. The wager will span the final three races on each card and all other Pick 3s remain at 50-cent base.

Aside from the $3 Late Pick 3, the wagering menu includes the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot on the last six races each day (15% takeout). The Derby City 6 jackpot will be paid only if there is a single winning wager with six winners placed at the required minimum bet value. If there are multiple winning wagers with six winners in the six-race sequence, 90 percent of the net money wagering into the pool will be paid, and the remaining 10 percent will carry to the Derby City 6 jackpot. If there are no tickets will all six winners, 100 percent of the pool will carry to the Derby City 6 jackpot. There will be a mandatory payout on closing day.

The daily betting menu also features multiple 50-cent Pick 5s with a low 15-percent takeout and 50-cent Pick 4s. Win, Place, Show, Exacta, 50-cent Trifecta, 10-cent Superfecta, Daily Double, 50-cent Pick 3 wagers (except for the $3 Late Pick 3) and rolling $1 Super Hi-5s will be offered every race (on all races that qualify under Kentucky statutes for minimum field size).

Also on the daily betting menu is the $1 Jackpot 8 and the $2 Odd vs. Even. The Jackpot 8, which requires picking the first eight finishers in a row, will be offered in the final race each day (a minimum field size of 10 entrants is required to offer the wager). The Odd vs. Even wager will be offered on each race if there are a minimum three interests on each side of the wager.

Free Workout Videos for Horseplayers

Thanks to the support of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund, horseplayers and horsemen can view workouts of select horses at Churchill Downs free-of-charge throughout the year. The workouts are available at https://www.kentuckybred.org/workout-videos/.

Gaffalione, Cox, Jacobson Defend September Titles

Tyler Gaffalione had the hot hand during last year’s September Meet with 26 wins, three more than Irad Ortiz Jr. Brad Cox was last September’s champion trainer with nine wins, one more than David Jacobson, who won the owner’s title with five of his wins coming from horses he owned.

During the 44-day Spring Meet, Ortiz Jr. dominated with 64 wins and finished well clear of his younger brother Jose Ortiz (50 wins), Gaffalione (37), Luis Saez (37) and Brian Hernandez Jr. (17). Jose Ortiz, meanwhile, led all jockeys with 11 stakes victories – including the Kentucky Oaks on Always A Winner, Kentucky Derby on Golden Tempo and Stephen Foster on Magnitude – and more than $11.2 million in prize money.

Joe Sharp led all trainers with 27 wins and held off 10-time local champion Cox (26 wins), Hall of Famer and 29-time Churchill Downs leader Steve Asmussen (19), Brian Lynch (14) and Brendan Walsh (13). Jacobson was the top owner with eight wins, one more than runner-up Juddmonte.

Odds and Ends

Travis Stone will describe the racing action throughout the September Meet for the 12th straight year. Nick Tammaro is in his first year as the morning line oddsmaker.

‘Churchill Downs Today’ Airs Before First Race

Horseplayers can get the latest advice and a preview of the day’s card by watching “Churchill Downs Today” one hour prior to first post every day except Saturday, when it will air an hour and 15 minutes prior to the opening race. Join Joe Kristufek, Tony Calo, Kaitlin Free and Kevin Kilroy as they handicap the program, give ticket-structure advice and insight for horseplayers betting the racing program. Churchill Downs Today will be shown on www.TwinSpires.com.

‘Inside Churchill Downs’ Returns to ESPN 680/105.7 on Fridays 6-7 p.m.

“Inside Churchill Downs” with Churchill Downs’ communications duo of Darren Rogers and Kevin Kerstein and returns to ESPN 680/105.7 on Friday at 6 p.m. This week’s show will cover all the action from opening week of the September Meet including handicapping the five stakes on Saturday’s card. Those outside the Louisville area can listen live on www.espnlouisville.com.

Churchill Downs Racing Televised on FanDuel TV

The racing action from Churchill Downs throughout the September Meet will be broadcast on FanDuel TV.

Wager on Churchill Downs Racing via TwinSpires.com

Racing fans are encouraged to wager on racing from Churchill Downs via www.TwinSpires.com, the official advance-deposit wagering service for Churchill Downs Incorporated and its family of racetracks. Past performance information can be purchased online at www.Brisnet.com.

2026 Churchill Downs September Meet Stakes Schedule

Date
Running
Grade
Purse
Race
Conditions
Distance
Surface
Saturday, Sept. 12
42nd
II
$400,000
Fasig-Tipton Locust Grove
3&up, f&m
1 1/16 M
Dirt
Saturday, Sept. 12
45th
III
$300,000
Iroquois
2yo
1 M
Dirt
Saturday, Sept. 12
58th
III
$300,000
Pocahontas
2yo f
1 M
Dirt
Saturday, Sept. 12
6th
Listed
$300,000
Louisville Thoroughbred Society
3&up
6 ½ F
Dirt
Saturday, Sept. 12
17th
Listed
$300,000
Open Mind
3&up, f&m
6 F
Dirt
Saturday, Sept. 19
51st
III
$300,000
Dogwood presented by Resolute Racing
3yo f
7 F
Dirt
Saturday, Sept. 19
6th

$300,000
Harrods Creek
3yo
7 F
Dirt
Saturday, Sept. 19
6th
Listed
$200,000
Seneca Overnight Stakes
3yo f
1 1/16 M
Dirt
Saturday, Sept. 26
13th
II
$500,000
Lukas Classic
3&up
1 1/8 M
Dirt
Saturday, Sept. 26
34th
III
$400,000
Ack Ack
3&up
1 M
Dirt
Saturday, Sept. 26
6th

$300,000
Bourbon Flight
3yo
1 1/16 M
Dirt
* All purses include prize money from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund

Tickets On Sale

Tickets for the September and Fall racing meets are on sale at https://www.ticketmaster.com/churchill-downs-september-racing-tickets/artist/2140641?CAMEFROM=CFC_CHDOWNS_PR_WEB_SEPTMEETPR. Following the 14-date September Meet and then a four-week meeting at Keeneland in Lexington, Churchill Downs’ 24-day Fall Meet will run Oct. 25-Nov. 29 and includes the popular Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Group packages for 12 or more, private dining room buyouts and luxury suite rentals are available through the Group Sales department at (502) 636-4450 or groupsales@kyderby.com.

For more information, call (502) 636-4400 or visit www.churchilldowns.com.

ABOUT CHURCHILL DOWNS RACETRACK

Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”), the world’s most legendary racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875. Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September and Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a year-round simulcast wagering facility. www.ChurchillDowns.com.

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