Breeders’ Cup Shuffling Championship Lineup

[Wandering Eyes]

Officials at the Breeders’ Cup have announced a new schedule for the 35th renewal of the championship event to be held at Churchill Downs Nov. 2 and 3 that will see all juvenile events staged on the Friday program. The GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff will now take place on championship Saturday.

“Future Stars Friday” will feature five events restricted to 2-year-old males and females and will culminate with the running of the $2-million GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at 6:05 p.m. ET. The program will also feature the inaugural running of the $1-million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at 5 1/2 furlongs on the grass. With the Distaff and Dirt Mile added to the mix, a total of $21 million in purse money will be up for grabs on Breeders’ Cup Saturday, anchored, of course, by the $6-million GI Breeders’ Cup Classic at 5:44 p.m. ET. The GI Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, contested over nine furlongs at Del Mar last November, will be run over a mile and three-eighths as per usual when Churchill has played host to the Breeders’ Cup.

“With the increased excitement and international interest in our Juvenile races, ‘Future Stars Friday’ will create an identity to showcase the emerging stars of our sport on the first day of the World Championships,” said Craig Fravel, Breeders’ Cup President and CEO. “Churchill Downs also provides the perfect stage for our fans to witness the potential candidates for next year’s Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, as well as standouts competing from overseas.

“We also look forward to the Distaff and Dirt Mile bolstering an already blockbuster line up of World Championship races on Saturday culminating with the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic,” Fravel added.

 

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