Turfway Park reschedules Lane's End Stakes

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Florence, KY (Sports Network) - Turfway Park's signature race for three-year- olds has been pushed back a week to March 27. The track announced Thursday that the $500,000 Lane's End Stakes will now be run five weeks prior to the Kentucky Derby on May 1.

"We looked at several factors in making the decision to move the Lane's End," said Turfway president Robert N. Elliston. "First, running the race five weeks before the Derby instead of the traditional six weeks should mesh with the trend toward giving horses more time between major races. Trainers can more comfortably make the Lane's End their final prep."

The Lane's End Stakes has proven to be a major race for Triple Crown hopefuls. In 2007 the race was won by Hard Spun who then finished second to Street Sense in the Run for the Roses and was third in the Preakness to Curlin.

Also scheduled to be run on March 27 is the $100,000 Rushaway Stakes for three-year-olds, the traditional supporting race to the Lane's End.

"In addition, March 27 is also the date of the Dubai World Cup," Elliston noted, "and the interest that card generates among bettors should mean more eyes will be on the Lane's End as well. Finally, March weather in Northern Kentucky is always a toss-up, and having an additional week gives us not only more time to promote the race but also a better shot at crowd-friendly weather."