A total of 32 stakes worth $8.84 million, headlined of course by the $2-million GI Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve Saturday, May 5, make up the Churchill Downs spring meet stakes schedule. The Louisville oval opens on Apr. 28 and closes June 30. Kentucky Derby day will feature seven graded races totaling $4.2 million. The $1-million GI Longines Kentucky Oaks takes place Friday, May 4 as part of a card that includes six graded events worth a combined $2.35 million. Four races on Oaks/Derby weekend have received $50,000 purse increases: the $300,000 GIII Pat Day Mile Presented by LG&E and KU; $350,000 GI La Troienne S; $200,000 GIII Edgewood S. Presented by Forcht Bank and the $200,000 GII Twin Spires Turf Sprint. Another major highlight of the Churchill spring meet is the $500,000 GI Stephen Foster H. set for a “Downs After Dark” program June 16. Click here for the complete stakes schedule.