by Steve Bailey

Breeders’ Cup Ltd. continues to tinker with its Breeders’ Cup World Championships program by moving all of the races restricted to females to Friday’s card with a series of festivities designed to promote a “Championship Friday” format.

The $2-million Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (G1), formerly the Distaff, will headline the five female championship races on the first day of the Breeders’ Cup’s two-day program on October 24 at Santa Anita Park.

The other races on the card will include the $2-million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1), the $1-million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, the $2-million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), and the inaugural $1-million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Purses for Friday’s Breeders' Cup races now total $8-million, more than doubling the purses from last year’s first-ever Friday card at Monmouth Park.

In addition to the championship races, the Friday festival also will include cause-related programs focused on women’s health, on-site initiatives for fans, promotions around Los Angeles and around the country, simulcast events at various outlets, and special merchandise designed specifically around a “Championship Friday” theme.

“The initial response from the Breeders’ Cup family, including ESPN, our marketing partners; nominators; and Trustees has been extremely supportive and enthusiastic,” Breeders Cup President Greg Avioli said. “By shifting some of our traditional Saturday races to Friday, we ensure that Friday stands on its own as an international competition of the highest level. This new format provides a great stage to showcase the talents of the best female Thoroughbreds in the world.”

Saturday’s card will feature nine championship races, seven of which are open to males and females. Both days of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which will offer $25.5-million in total purses, will be televised on ESPN network stations.

“Combining the best of filly racing with devoting a day to women’s health is a great development which ESPN is proud to join,” said Len DeLuca, ESPN senior vice president for programming and acquisition. “The Breeders’ Cup keeps raising the bar in the presentation of world championship horse racing.”

Last year, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships added three races and switched to a two-day format for the first time in its 24-year history. It included 11 races, including the inaugural Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf, Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, and Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, and $23-million in total purses.

In December, three new races—the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, and the Breeders’ Cup Marathon—were added, bringing the total number of championship races to 14.

Earlier this month, the Breeders’ Cup announced that the event would return to Santa Anita in 2009, the first time the Breeders’ Cup has been staged in the same location in consecutive years.

2008 Breeders’ Cup World Championships
October 24-25, 2008, Santa Anita Park

Friday

$2-million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1)

$1-million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

$1-million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint

$2-million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1)

$2-million Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (G1)

Saturday

$1-million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf

$1-million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile

$1-million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint

$2-million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1)

$2-million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1)

$2-million Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1)

$3-million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1)

$5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1)

$500,000 Breeders’ Cup Marathon

Steve Bailey is deputy news editor of Thoroughbred Times