Bodog Beat

Breeders' Cup qualifying races just keep increasing. (AP Images)

On February 14^th Breeders’ Cup announced it will be increasing the automatic qualifying races for the Breeders’ Cup Challenge to at least 49 races, compared to the usual 24. These races will be held at 12 premier North American racetracks during 2008.

The phrase “Win and You’re In” is exactly that, with the winner of each of the 49 Challenge races automatically qualifying for a place in the 14-race, $25.5-million World Championships Oct. 24-25 at Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park.

MonmouthPark, host of last year’s World Championships, will launch the beginning of the 2008 Challenge races this July 5^th. In addition to adding more qualifying races, we’ll also see races being held at a variety of new tracks this year which include, Woodbine in Ontario, Canada, Emerald Downs in Washington, Suffolk Downs in Massachusetts, Delaware Park in Delaware and Calder Race Course in Florida.

Breeders’ Cup officials said the addition of Woodbine races “is a significant step for the Breeders’ Cup Challenge entering its second year as it incorporates six races internationally and expands the Challenge footprint across North America.”

“Following last year’s successful launch of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge, there was a great deal of interest from tracks around the country and internationally to be a part of this year's series, and that interest led to the expansion of the Challenge,” Greg Avioli, president and chief executive officer of Breeders’ Cup, said in a statement. “The creation of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge has served as a powerful link between America’s greatest races to the Breeders’ Cup, and has created an increased level of awareness for the horses competing in the World Championships.”

So far the 2008 Challenge schedule consists of 49 races, but Breeders’ Cup officials still may be adding to that number, depending on the outcome of discussions with several partner tracks.

With the expansion of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge, comes an expansion of qualifying races as well, which are: $1-million Dirt Mile, $2-million Juvenile Fillies, $1-million Juvenile Fillies Turf, and $1-million Juvenile Turf.

The winning horses of the challenge races have secured their place but that’s not all it takes to race at the World Championships Oct. 24-25 at Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park, the owners have to still pay an entry fee, for example in the Classic, the entry fee for a nominated horse is $120,000.

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