Northern Dancer Stakes of sires in the second half of the 20th century. Northern Dancer Stakes The Northern Dancer Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in mid-June at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Named in honor of the horse, Northern Dancer, the Grade III stakes for three-year-olds is run on dirt over a distance of 8.5 furlongs ( miles). The race currently offers a purse of $150,000. Canadian-bred and owned honoree Northern Dancer (1961–1990) won the 1964 Kentucky Derby in record time on the Churchill Downs track. He went on to win the Preakness Stakes and Queen's Plate. Retired from
Ajax Downs creation of the new slots facility and construction of a full 6 furlong (1 furlong = 1/8th of a mile, 660ft, 220yards, or 201.1 meters) oval racetrack which was completed in 2009 and is still operated by the Picov family. Ajax Downs is home to many notable stakes races, including qualifying events for the AQHA Bank of America Racing Challenge program. The richest Quarter Horse race in Canada honors Alex Picovs memory with the name The Alex Picov Memorial and is run yearly at Ajax Downs. Live racing is May through October and is fun for the whole family. Many