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Six-Track, 24-Race Schedule on ESPN/ABC Offers Automatic Berths In $20 Million Breeders' Cup World Championships
LOUISVILLE, KY – Breeders' Cup Limited and six of the nation's premier racetracks will launch a set of officially sanctioned Breeders' Cup qualifying races in 2007, the Breeders' Cup announced today. The new “Breeders' Cup Challenge” will be highlighted by its “Win and You're In” provision, with the winner of each of the 24 Challenge races automatically qualifying for the corresponding divisional race in the eight-race, $20 million Breeders' Cup World Championships. The 2007 Breeders' Cup will be held October 27 at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, NJ, and will be televised live on ESPN.
“The Breeders' Cup Challenge creates a framework that will strengthen mainstream understanding of the Breeders' Cup World Championships and its position as the most important and prestigious day of racing,” said Bill Farish, Chairman of Breeders' Cup Limited.
"Our partners at the Breeders' Cup are again in front of the field in developing another way to capture the casual fan and the horse racing aficionado. ESPN will use all its platforms to develop the summer and fall races that lead to the Breeders' Cup World Championships," said Len DeLuca, Senior Vice President, Programming and Acquisitions, ESPN.
“Win and You're In” officially sanctioned Breeders' Cup races is the most significant change in Breeders' Cup qualifying since the event's inception in 1984. Previously, Breeders' Cup selection was based on points earned in races throughout the year and via selection made by an international committee of racing experts.
“We have been working with our partners at ESPN throughout the past year to develop innovative ways to showcase the Breeders' Cup as the most important day of racing in the world,” said Greg Avioli, CEO of Breeders' Cup Limited. “The Breeders' Cup Challenge will enhance our television presentation, broaden media coverage and extend the Breeders' Cup brand to many of the most prestigious races in our sport leading to the Championships.”
Breeders' Cup Limited will support the new program with a multi-million dollar national marketing and promotional campaign that will launch in mid-summer 2007.
“We look forward to being part of the inaugural Breeders' Cup Challenge,” said Craig Fravel, Executive Vice President of Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and Chairman of the NTRA. “We believe the ‘Win and You're In' concept will resonate with racing fans and that our marquee events will have a higher profile as a result of our participation.'”
The following is the schedule for the 2007 Breeders' Cup Challenge, all times Eastern:
2007 BREEDERS' CUP CHALLENGE SCHEDULE
 | July 28, Saratoga, ABC, 4 - 6 p.m. | | Classic Division: | Whitney Handicap | | Distaff Division: | Go For Wand Stakes | | Sprint Division: | Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap | | Filly & Mare Turf Division: | Diana Handicap |
 | Aug. 11, Arlington Park, ESPN, 4 - 6 p.m. | | Turf Division: | Arlington Million | | Turf Division: | Secretariat Stakes | | Filly & Mare Turf Division: | Beverly D. Stakes |
 | Aug. 19, Del Mar, ESPN2, 7 - 8 p.m. | | Classic Division: | Pacific Classic | | Sprint Division: | Pat O'Brien Handicap | | Mile Division: | Del Mar Mile |
 | Sept. 30, Belmont Park, ESPN, 4 - 6 p.m. | | Classic Division: | Jockey Club Gold Cup
Goodwood Handicap (from Oak Tree) | | Distaff Division: | Beldame Stakes | | Turf Division: | Joe Hirsch Turf Classic | | Sprint Division: | Vosburgh Stakes |
 | Oct. 6, Keeneland, ESPN, 4 - 6 p.m. | | Filly & Mare Turf Division: | First Lady Stakes | | Mile Division: | Shadwell Turf Mile | | Juvenile Division: | Lane's End Breeders' Futurity
Champagne Stakes (from Belmont) | | Sprint Division: | Phoenix Stakes |
 | Oct. 7, Oak Tree at Santa Anita, ESPN2, 5 - 7 p.m. | | Sprint Division: | Ancient Title Handicap | | Distaff Division: | Lady's Secret Handicap | | Mile Division: | Oak Tree Mile
Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (from Keeneland) |
 October 26 and October 27, Monmouth Park, ESPN, Noon - 7 P.M.
$23 million Breeders' Cup World Championships
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