American thoroughbred racing top attended events American thoroughbred racing top attended events This is a listing of the top attended stakes races for thoroughbred racing in North America by year. The chart lists the paid attendance of the eight top average attended races including the Kentucky Derby on Saturday and its companion race the Kentucky Oaks on Friday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky; the Preakness Stakes on Saturday and its companion race the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes on Friday at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland; the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York; the Travers Stakes in Saratoga Springs, New York and the Breeders' Cup Classic
Alysheba Stakes Breeders' Cup Classic. His victory marked the first time a Derby winner had returned to Churchill to win a stakes since Whirlaway took the 1942 Clark Handicap. He was later honored at the track that fall as he retired as the sports leading money earner, $6,679,242. The stakes received graded status in 2007. The Grade II event is open to horses age three and older and is contested on dirt over a distance of miles (8.5 furlongs). Notes: † new stakes record/new track record Alysheba Stakes The Alysheba Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Churchill Downs