Thoroughbred Championship Series to Add Oaks Division

The 2027 series expansion introduces a points-based competition for three-year-old fillies with a $1 million prize pool.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Equestrian

Expressive sports illustration of a racehorse in full gallop on a dirt track, capturing motion through textured brushwork and golden light. — Churchill Downs and The New York Racing Association will add an Oaks Division to the 2027 Thoroughbred Championship Series for fillies. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Churchill Downs Incorporated and The New York Racing Association will expand the 2027 Thoroughbred Championship Series to include a new Oaks Division for three-year-old fillies. The series will culminate in a championship race on September 25, 2027.

Why it matters

This expansion provides a season-long platform to showcase equine talent across major venues while rewarding excellence through a competitive points-based structure. It aims to create more opportunities for fillies and colts to compete on a national stage.

The expanded 2027 series will feature 10 total races across the Derby and Oaks Divisions with a total purse pool of $22 million. The Oaks Division winner could earn an additional $1 million bonus by winning the final TCS Championship Race.

The players

Churchill Downs Incorporated

This Louisville-based company is a major operator of racetracks and gaming facilities in the United States.

The New York Racing Association

This organization operates the three major thoroughbred racetracks in New York, including Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.

The details

The newly established Oaks Division consists of a four-race series for three-year-old fillies, while the Derby Division includes six races for three-year-olds. Winners of the Oaks series receive an invitation to the final championship event, which will be broadcast alongside all other series races on NBC or FOX.

April 30, 2027: Longines Kentucky Oaks race at Churchill Downs
May 1, 2027: Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
June 4, 2027: DraftKings Acorn Stakes at Belmont Park
June 5, 2027: Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park
September 25, 2027: TCS Championship Race at Churchill Downs

Season Trajectory

The introduction of the Oaks Division alters the season trajectory by centralizing focus on fillies throughout a dedicated points-based series. This structure shifts how contenders qualify for major season-ending events and impacts the national standings for three-year-olds.

The addition of the Oaks Division provides a clear path for fillies to earn a spot in the final TCS Championship Race held in September. Investors and fans can expect increased attention on fillies during major events like the Longines Kentucky Oaks and the DraftKings Acorn Stakes.

The takeaway

This expansion creates a more comprehensive competitive roadmap for three-year-old horses throughout the racing season. Followers of the sport should monitor the point rankings following each of the 10 scheduled races to identify the leading contenders for the final championship.