Northern Dancer Stakes 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 racing, Northern Dancer became the most important sire and sire
Cardinal Handicap Cardinal Handicap The Cardinal Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky during its fall meet. The Grade III Cardinal is open to fillies and mares three-years-old and up and set at a distance of one and one eighth mile on the turf. At its current distance of nine furlongs, Miss Caerleona holds the record of 1:47.81. The 2017 edition of the race, won by Tricky Escape, was run on dirt as the turf course was deemed unfit for racing. The race's Gr.III status was kept for 2017. It currently offers a purse