Horse Racing Odds: Ladies Marathon Stakes Contenders

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2024 Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon Stakes: Key Contenders 

The 2024 Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon Stakes is set to be an attractive event featuring a competitive field of nine fillies and mares. This Grade III race, held annually in September at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Kentucky, covers a distance of 1 5/16 miles on turf and boasts a $1,000,000 purse, including $400,000 from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund. 

The race has grown in prominence since its inception in 2012, attracting top trainers and horses.

A Rich History and Rising Prestige

The Ladies Marathon Stakes has undergone several name changes due to different sponsors. Still, its growth has been fueled by Kentucky Downs’ gaming revenue, resulting in a significant purse increase over the years. 

Initially offering a smaller purse, the event now draws top-tier horses and trainers with Saratoga betting experience. Since its upgrade to a Grade III event in 2022, it has become a must-watch for bettors and horse racing enthusiasts. Offtrack betting fans will find plenty of intriguing options in this year’s field, with several experienced runners set to compete.

Key Contenders in the 2024 Lineup

Among the top contenders is last year’s winner, Vergara, trained by Graham Motion. Despite not winning since her victory in the 2023 Ladies Marathon, Vergara has consistently placed third in her last four starts. She enters the race to defend her title and improve her recent performances. 

Meanwhile, Aidan O’Brien brings the 3-year-old Greenfinch fresh off a win at Cork in the Darley Munster Oaks (G3). Greenfinch will take on older horses for the first time, making her an intriguing contender to watch.

Trainer Brad Cox’s Chop Chop also returns to the track where she made a name for herself, winning the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies as a 2-year-old. This year, she claimed victory in Keeneland’s Bewitch Stakes (G3) and has been consistent in stakes races, adding depth to the field.

Additional Horses to Watch

Other notable entrants include Three Priests, a Japan-bred filly trained by Roger Varian, specializing in distance races. She could challenge the more seasoned contenders despite only one win in 11 starts. 

Neecie Marie, trained by Robert Reid Jr., is another strong contender, finishing third in the Beverly D. Stakes (G2) in her last outing. From Brendan Walsh’s stable, Forever After All is also in the mix after a fifth-place finish in the Canadian Stakes (G2).

As race day approaches, horse racing odds will shift as bettors assess the field’s strength. The Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon Stakes offers an exciting opportunity, with a diverse group of contenders all vying for the top spot.