On October 24 and October 25 horse racing fans from all around the world will be turning their attention to the 2008 Breeders' Cup World Championships. For the first time in Breeders' Cup history, Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park will host this prestigious event for two consecutive years: 2008 and 2009. With three new races and an expanded schedule, the 2008 Breeders' Cup will be bigger and better than ever.
"California horse racing makes history again with an unprecedented second Breeders' Cup Championship and I am looking forward to welcoming the world to California this fall for the 2008 Breeders' Cup Championships and next November for the 2009 event," said California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. "These events give us a chance to showcase the beautiful and historic Santa Anita Park and will be an economic boon of over $100 million. California horse racing is at a crossroads and hosting the Breeders' Cup gives us a chance to support an important agricultural and entertainment industry."
Getting to the Breeders' Cup, however, is no simple task. Here's how the horses are selected:
Getting to the Breeders' Cup, One Race at a Time
Each year the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association releases a list of stakes for thoroughbred horses. The Committee grades stakes and handicaps into three grades: Grade I, Grade II and Grade III. The largest races are Grade I. The committee uses as criteria for the grading:
As long as the race meets these requirements, the Committee grades on the overall quality of the previous fields and the performance of horses in the previous fields in stakes both prior to and after the race. For example: if the winner of the Breeders' Cup Turf raced in the Arlington Million then the race would almost certainly be a Grade One.
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Breeders' Cup Field Selection
Points earned in American Graded Stakes Races have no bearing on a given Breeders' Cup World Championships 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. A minimum of six points is required to gain an automatic berth in the field. Juveniles are excluded from these minimum criteria.
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 14, 2008) 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 10, 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.
Each of the 14 Breeders' Cup races is limited to 14 starters. If more than 14 horses are pre-entered, seven horses gain automatic entry by having earned the most points in a system based on top-three finishes in U.S. graded stakes race. A committee of racing experts ranks the remaining horses, with its top seven guaranteed a spot. The remainder can earn berths if there are any defections before entry time, with preference given to those with the highest ranking.
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Breeders' Cup Entry and Race Day Procedures
Entries for all Breeders' Cup Championship races will close at 10:00 a.m., (EDT), October 14, 2008. 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 Championships race after the taking of entries.
Breeders' Cup Limited and Santa Anita Park 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 also will be followed.
More articles from the Breeders’ Cup Betting Guide:
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