The General
Another Day, Another Dollar
The Breeders' Cup got bigger and richer Monday, with thoroughbred racing's showcase event expanding to 11 races over two days in the largest addition to the competition since it began 24 years ago.
Three $1 million races and another day of racing were added to the program, beginning with this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., on Friday Oct. 26 and Saturday Oct. 27. The 11 races, televised by ESPN, will now total $23 million in purses.
"Today's marketplace demands change, innovation and the willingness to take chances," Breeders' Cup president Greg Avioli said. "The Breeders' Cup board has embraced this and is giving us the freedom and responsibility to take the event to the next level."
The additional racing was approved by the Breeders' Cup board Friday and must be approved by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and state regulators.
This is the latest in a series of changes for the Breeders' Cup during the past 12 months — the increase of purses from $14 million to $20 million in 2006, new nomination rules and the formation of the Breeders' Cup Challenge, which this year will allow winners of 24 races at six tracks to gain automatic spots in the event.
The new races, to be run Oct. 26 are the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile for 3-year-olds and up, the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint for 3-year-olds and up and the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. There will be three other stakes races on the card, each with a $250,000 purse.
Breeders' Cup board chairman Bill Farish said the changes provide "the framework for unprecedented growth," aimed at attracting the world's best horses.
Total purses for the 10-race card on Breeders' Cup Friday will be $4 million, making it the second-richest racing day in North America.
The eight races on Breeders' Cup Saturday: $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, $3 million Breeders' Cup Turf, $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile, $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile, $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint and $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff.
Breeders' Cup expands to 11 races, 2 days - USATODAY.com
Three $1 million races and another day of racing were added to the program, beginning with this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., on Friday Oct. 26 and Saturday Oct. 27. The 11 races, televised by ESPN, will now total $23 million in purses.
"Today's marketplace demands change, innovation and the willingness to take chances," Breeders' Cup president Greg Avioli said. "The Breeders' Cup board has embraced this and is giving us the freedom and responsibility to take the event to the next level."
The additional racing was approved by the Breeders' Cup board Friday and must be approved by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and state regulators.
This is the latest in a series of changes for the Breeders' Cup during the past 12 months — the increase of purses from $14 million to $20 million in 2006, new nomination rules and the formation of the Breeders' Cup Challenge, which this year will allow winners of 24 races at six tracks to gain automatic spots in the event.
The new races, to be run Oct. 26 are the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile for 3-year-olds and up, the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint for 3-year-olds and up and the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. There will be three other stakes races on the card, each with a $250,000 purse.
Breeders' Cup board chairman Bill Farish said the changes provide "the framework for unprecedented growth," aimed at attracting the world's best horses.
Total purses for the 10-race card on Breeders' Cup Friday will be $4 million, making it the second-richest racing day in North America.
The eight races on Breeders' Cup Saturday: $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, $3 million Breeders' Cup Turf, $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile, $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile, $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint and $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff.
Breeders' Cup expands to 11 races, 2 days - USATODAY.com