Aside from the famous Kentucky Derby race, there are other stakes to back up the race that will surely warm up the fans before the Kentucky race proper.

These races put some fun and excitement before witnessing the main event. The following are the scheduled races to back up the Kentucky Derby race:

Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational

The Stronach Group has decided to add a turf race to its Pegasus cup program to be started this coming January 26, 2019, along the famous Pegasus World Cup invitational race.

They decided to put this race to showcase the ability of the horses to run on turf. This race holds a Grade 1 ranking and a purse of $7 million and $4 million will go directly to the winner that will put the race to be the richest turf race around the planet.

The Stronach group will give a $1 million bonus to those owners that would win both the Pegasus World Cup and Pegasus World Cup Turf.

In order to join this event, the owners must put a share of $500,000 fee while the Pegasus World Cup has a twice amount share of $1 million.

There are 5 horses that so far have shown interest in joining Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational they are:

Glorious Empire

Surely a front runner trained by James L. Lawrence and ridden by Julien Leparoux. Despite of its 13th finish on Breeders’ Cup Turf he must be taken seriously to have a wire to wire possibility finish on his level.

Aerolithe

This filly finishes 12th in her last race but that will conclude her fate in Pegasus World Cup Turf and Kentucky race. She finished second in the prestigious Group 1 Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo racecourse. Contenders must have their eyes to this filly because she tends to bounce out of bad races with good efforts.

Magical

Enable took a big effort just to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf against a wire to wire race with Aidan O’Brein. Aidan already knew that will be having a hard time upon entering the Churchill Downs starting gate but she manages to overcome it.

Arklow

This Brad Cox trainee surprise everyone on his 4th finish behind Enable, Magical, and Sadler’s Joy. Before the said run he had finished second to Zulu Alpha in the Sycamore. This guy’s got a good fight.

Catapult

This horse proves that his a child of Kitten’s Joy as he finished second to Expert Eye in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Because Kitten’s Joy sired him there is no way he could have a problem in Kentucky Derby distance. He will be one of the favorites if he makes it to the race.

South Beach

South Beach is a race for 4-year-old fillies and mares. The horses need to run on the turf for 7 ½ furlongs with a purse of $125,000.

Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint

Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint is the very first 5-furlong turf sprint which is intended for older horses that are having $150,000 purse for the winners that is much higher than South Beach. This race is also run not on dirt but in the grass. This race is quite shorter than South Beach for it is intended for sprint only.

Ladies’ Turf Sprint

Ladies’ Turf Sprint is a similar race intended for the fillies. The dirt track comes into play for the Grade 3 while this one is to be played on grass. It also has a purse of $150,000 for the winners.

Hurricane Bertie

Hurricane Bertie is a seven-furlong event longer than Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint and Ladies’ Turf Sprint. This event is classified for all qualified fillies and mares once more. Just like the Ladies’ Turf Sprint, its purse is also $150,000 that will be shared by the winners.

Fred Hooper

With the same purse as the Hurricane Bertie and Ladies’ Turf sprint, this race consists of 5280 feet or a one-mile race intended for Grade 3 level. This race is done before things will be taken up a slight gap.

La Prevoyante

Another race that will be happening on turf is LA Prevoyante. This race is intended for the older fillies with the same condition and with a higher purse than the races mentioned above. A $200,000 purse will be given to the winners for the said race.

W.L. McKnight

The W.L. McKnight has the same conditions with LA Prevoyante consisting the same distance and the same purse of $200,000 and also happening on the turf. The only difference is that W.L. McKnight is participated by male horses.

All of these races will possibly back-up before the 2019 Kentucky Derby Race . This races will not only help us determine the 2019 Kentucky Derby champions in their respective stakes but also entertain the fans that gave their support from then up to now.