Kelso gets his due · 20.02.08

Since 1996, Delaware Park has run the Kelso Stakes, named for the great five-time Horse of the Year. For most of that time, the race was run at 1-3/16 miles. Nothing wrong with that — but you would think that a longer race would be a more appropriate salute to a five-time winner of the 2-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup.

On Monday, Delaware Park announced its 2008 stakes schedule. The new schedule again includes the Kelso Stakes — moved to August 23, and lengthened to 1-1/2 miles. Not only is the race now positioned on the calendar as a prep for the new Breeders’ Cup Marathon. Even if it isn’t quite two miles, I think it now pays a fitting tribute to one of the greatest stayers of the last hundred years.

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What do you think?

  1. Great. A marathon is what most racing cards are sorely in need of and what a great honor to an animal that was King of those distances. So often a few years goes by and many of these race names are changed to the flavor of the month. Good going Delaware. Fairly good venue too, particularly the Arabian races.

    — Dr. T. Yatcak · Feb 21, 09:02 AM · #

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