Royal Chase, Lafayette cut from Keeneland spring stakes

Keeneland has scheduled

17 stakes races worth a total of $3.8 million for its

upcoming spring meet, which is set to begin April 3 and continue through April

24 in Lexington, Kentucky. The stakes schedule features the loss of two of its

traditional events -- the Lafayette S. and Royal Chase for the Sport of Kings

(NSA-G1) -- as well as a $600,000 reduction in total stakes purses.

"Keeneland's stakes program remains both strong and diverse, and overnight

purses will continue at the same level as recent years based on a $50,000 purse

for maidens," Director of Racing Rogers Beasley said. "The stakes purse

reductions are the result of a combination of factors -- loss of sponsors, the

economy and a decline in sales revenues. As new sponsors are added, purses will

be increased."

There are a total of four Grade 1 races scheduled for the spring meet,

including the seven-furlong Madison S. for distaffers which saw a purse increase

from $200,000 to $300,000 following its recent elevation from Grade 2 status.

The customary highlight of the spring schedule is the $750,000 Blue Grass S.

(G1) for three-year-olds on April 11. The 1 1/8-mile test is one of Keeneland's

stepping stones for sophomores on the road to the Kentucky Derby (G1). The Blue

Grass undercard will showcase three other graded events, including the $250,000

Commonwealth S. (G2), which saw a purse cut of $150,000, sending three-year-olds

and up seven furlongs and the $200,000 Jenny Wiley S. (G2) for turf distaffers

at 1 1/16 miles.

Triple Crown hopefuls will get another shot at graded earnings on April 18 in

the $300,000 Lexington S. (G2). The 1 1/16-mile test, which saw its purse

reduced by $25,000 from last year, shares the card with the $100,000 Giant's

Causeway S. for turf distaffers sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs.

Three-year-old fillies will get their turn in the spotlight on April 4 in the

$400,000 Ashland S. going 1 1/16 miles, as well as the $150,000 Beaumont S. (G2)

set for about seven furlongs on April 8. The Ashland will run for $100,000 less than

last year's race while the Beaumont saw a purse cut of $100,000.

Fifteen of the 17 stakes races are graded, with nine of the total set to be

contested on Polytrack and eight to be run on the turf. Live racing will take

place on a Wednesday through Sunday basis, except Easter Sunday, April 12.