Possible Clues:

• Annual US horse race for three-year-olds
• First leg of the Triple Crown, whose levels of success can be found in this puzzle's circled letters
• US horse race for three-year-olds
• Annual horse race in the USA
• (US Racing) a 'Triple Crown' event
• Race held every May
• Event won by the horses at the ends of eight answers in this puzzle
• First leg of racing's Triple Crown
• Annual May race
• Man getting food produced in upturn during years for noted race