The American Graded Stakes Committee narrowly approved Dec. 21 Churchill Downs Inc.'s request to move the Arlington Million (G1T), Beverly D. Stakes (G1T), and Secretariat Stakes (G2T) next year to Colonial Downs. CDI intends to run the races at the New Kent, Va. racetrack Aug. 12.
The three stakes races were headline events of the summer each year at Arlington International Racecourse before CDI closed the Chicago-area track in 2021 following its live meet and announced plans to sell the property to the National Football League's Chicago Bears. The Arlington Million and Beverly D. were staged this year during a unique one-day of summer racing at Churchill Downs, though the Secretariat and another graded stakes were scrapped due to challenges related to its immature turf course.
The AGSC decision was announced in a release distributed by the office of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Wednesday.
"It is an incredible honor to continue the legacy of these exceptional races by hosting them in our Commonwealth," Youngkin said. "I am deeply committed to growing our equine industry, and as we work to revive the rich traditions of this sport in Virginia, these stakes races will accelerate our progress and ignite excitement for the fans."
CDI hosted Arlington officials at a continuation of the Arlington Million last year at Churchill Downs, but the event seemed to lack the energetic attendance it attracted when held in Illinois. Kentucky racegoers are also unaccustomed to attending Churchill Downs in the summer during a time when Ellis Park typically races.
Colonial Downs races during the summer, emphasizing grass racing over its sweeping turf course. Prior to the former Arlington races moving there, the $300,000 Virginia Derby (G3T) had been its most prestigious race. The Arlington Million and Beverly D. will become the first top-level stakes to be run there.
"Churchill Downs Inc. remains steadfast in our goal to increase the relevance of the racing product at Colonial Downs and in Virginia," Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Inc., said in the release. "We appreciate the American Graded Stakes Committee for their approval of this move, which is an important step toward that goal in terms of wagering growth and entertainment value. We are also committed to increasing the flow of purse revenue from historical horse racing to allow for expansion of race dates in the future."
The governor's office further celebrated the addition of the Secretariat Stakes (G2T) to Virginia, where the legendary Triple Crown winner of 1973 was bred.
Horse Racing Nation reported Wednesday that the approval of the races narrowly advanced after a contentious vote among members of the AGSC.
A Dec. 22 release from the AGSC acknowledged a "lengthy debate about the positives and negatives of allowing the races to maintain their current grades, even after moving regions."
Committee rules state that in considering such stakes-relocation requests, factors such as purse, calendar date, conditions, and the race taking place in the same region are to be evaluated. Colonial Downs and Arlington are more than 800 miles apart by car, with Colonial located in the Mid-Atlantic region and Arlington in the Midwest.
The AGSW said in its release that "all conditions of the races, except region, are substantially similar to previous years after moving to Colonial Downs."
