Spiral Stakes highlights Turfway Park 2013 meet

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Florence, KY (Sports Network) - Turfway Park's premier race for Kentucky Derby hopefuls, the $500,000 Spiral Stakes, will be held on Saturday, March 23, highlighting the track's 2013 winter/spring meet. The meeting will extend from Jan. 1 through March 30.

The track will conduct 28 days of live racing during the winter/spring meet in an effort to retain a competitive purse structure.

"The changes to Turfway Park's 2013 racing schedule make it possible for us to support a purse structure befitting Kentucky racing," said Daniel "Chip" Bach, Turfway's director of operations. "It was a difficult exercise but the outcome reflects our continued commitment to horsemen, horseplayers, and the Kentucky circuit while we continue to work toward an even playing field.

"With our new schedule, we project that Turfway's purses will nearly double while providing an active 2013 stakes schedule, including our centerpiece, the Spiral Stakes in March. We deeply appreciate our employees, fans, horsemen, and community leaders for their continued support and enthusiasm for Northern Kentucky's contribution to the Commonwealth's signature industry."

The 2012 Spiral Stakes was won by Went the Day Well, giving owner Team Valor and trainer Graham Motion consecutive wins in the 1 1/8-mile race. Their Animal Kingdom won the stakes prior to capturing the 137th Kentucky Derby. Went the Day Well finished fourth to I'll Have Another in this year's Run for the Roses.