Updated January 1, 2006
A maximum of 14 starters are allowed in each of the eight Breeders' Cup World Championships races. Breeders' Cup Limited has adopted a field selection system to select runners in the event fields are oversubscribed. This system ranks horses in order of preference based on both a point system and the judgment of a panel of racing experts. The field selection system will be implemented as necessary following the taking of pre-entries 12 days before the Breeders' Cup World Championships races (October 23, 2006) to officially rank the oversubscribed fields. The Racing Secretaries and Directors Panel (the "Panel") will rank all the horses pre-entered in the oversubscribed races as described below. After pre-entry, any vacancies in the fields will be filled by horses in order of panel preference.
PRE-ENTRY PROCEDURES
Horses will be allowed to pre-enter a maximum of two races. The races in which the horse pre-enters must be designated in order of choice at the time of pre-entry 12 days before the Breeders' Cup World Championships races (October 23, 2006).
Points earned in American Graded Stakes Races have no bearing on a given Breeders' Cup race field unless the race is oversubscribed (more than 14 pre-entered). In the case of an oversubscribed field, the first seven horses only will be ranked at pre-entry based on the total number of graded stakes points they have collected during the year.
Specific point values are assigned to first-, second- and third-place finishes in stakes throughout the United States from January 1 through the pre-entry deadline date (October 23, 2006) that have been granted graded status by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.
Based on this system, win, place, and show horses in grade I stakes earn ten, six, and four points respectively. The top three finishers in grade II stakes earn six, four and two points respectively and in grade III stakes the points earned are four, two and one respectively.
NOTE:
In cases where dead heats occur for win, place and show finishes in graded stakes, those horses which finish in a dead heat will be awarded the total applicable points for that win, place or show.
The horses remaining after the first seven in oversubscribed fields at the time of pre-entry will be ranked in order of preference by the Panel. The Panel will be free to establish its own criteria for ranking, so that high-quality horses of demonstrated ability will have the opportunity to participate in Breeders' Cup World Championships races regardless of earlier participation in graded events. A minimum of 6 points is required for automatic berth in each race, excluding the Juvenile and Juvenile Fillies races.
Once a horse has been ranked among the first 14 horses in its race of first choice at pre-entry, its ranking in its race of second choice will be based only on the judgment of the Panel regardless of the number of points earned in American Graded Stakes. If a horse is not ranked among the first 14 horses in its race of first choice, then its points earned in American Graded Stakes will be utilized for ranking in its race of second choice.
"TIES" AT PRE-ENTRY
In the event more than 14 horses are pre-entered in a particular Breeders' Cup race and two or more horses are tied for the seventh highest number of American graded stakes points at the time of pre-entry, the Panel shall decide which of those horses shall be the seventh highest point earner.
PRE-ENTRY RANKINGS
The Panel will issue lists of horses pre-entered in all eight races on Wednesday, October 25, 2006, as well as the ranking for all horses pre-entered in oversubscribed races. After pre-entry, any vacancies in the fields of oversubscribed races will be filled by horses in the Panel's order of preference as determined at pre-entry.
NOTE:
After rankings have been determined at pre-entry, Graded Stakes points will be given no further consideration.
ENTRY PROCEDURES
Entry for the Breeders' Cup World Championships races will be Wednesday, November 1, 2006 at 10 a.m. (ET). At the time of entry, a maximum of 14 horses will be accepted for entry in each race based on the order of preference in the rankings established at pre-entry. There will be no also-eligible list or scratch time and no horse can move into the field of a Breeders' Cup race after the taking of entries.
PRE-RACE INSPECTION
Breeders' Cup Limited and Churchill Downs have assembled a team of impartial, experienced equine veterinarians that will be conducting a series of physical inspections as well as observing each horse under tack during the week preceding the event.
Horses will be inspected on multiple occasions in the stable area, initially upon arrival and at least one other time prior to race day. Race day customary procedures for pre-race inspections will also be followed.
|