Following review and consultation with industry stakeholders, Woodbine and Adriano Sorella have adjusted the conditions that were announced earlier this week for the inaugural $100,000 Jimmy Freight Stakes.
The event, scheduled for Oct. 7 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, is open to any two-year-old colt, gelding or filly sired by Jimmy Freight, with no nomination fee or starting fee required.
Following conversations with owners and trainers, Woodbine and Sorella have opted to remove the conditions requiring horses to have earned a minimum of $10,000 and made a minimum of two starts at Woodbine Mohawk Park for eligibility to enter.
In addition, the minimum number of entrants needed for the race to proceed has been lowered from eight to five. Should less than five horses enter, the race will be cancelled.
In the event the race is cancelled, Sorella will still distribute the full $100,000 purse, dividing it between the top five earning horses sired by Jimmy Freight in 2023. The breakdown is $50,000-$25,000-$12,000-$8,000-$5,000.
“My goal dating back to the first announcement of this race in 2019 was to support Jimmy Freight as a stallion and get this race off the ground,” said Sorella. “It is very important to me that those who supported 'Jimmy' and spent their money to breed, raise, buy and train his sons and daughters are rewarded. I’m optimistic these updates to the conditions will allow us to have this race go on October 7.”
Should more than 10 horses enter the Jimmy Freight Stakes, the 10 highest earners will be deemed the starters.
The entry box for the Jimmy Freight Stakes will close on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 10:30 a.m.
Any owners or trainers seeking additional information are asked to contact the Race Office at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Woodbine)