Horse Betting World

Still a Few Spots Left

By Joey Adams

The Breeders’ Cup Challenge, now in its fourth year, is a series of Breeders’ Cup “qualifying races” held at racetracks around the world. This year there were 65 races in the series, with those races taking place in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, England, Ireland and France. With its “Win and You’re In” designation, winners of Breeders’ Cup Challenge races automatically qualify for a starting spot in a corresponding race on Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championship weekend. Not all Breeders’ Cup Challenge winners will decide to run in the Breeders’ Cup, but for the ones that choose to move on to the season-ending championships there spot is secure.

So far 46 horses have earned a starting spot in the Breeders’ Cup, with eight of those going to winners last weekend – JAYCITO in the Norfolk-G1 (BC Juvenile), RICHARD’S KID in the Goodwood-G1 (BC Classic), HIBAAYEB in the Yellow Ribbon-G1 (BC Filly & Mare Turf), ZENYATTA in the Lady’s Secret-G1 (BC Ladies’ Classic – but she is expected to defend her crown in the BC Classic), GILT EDGE GIRL in the Prix de l’Abbaye-G1 (BC Turf Sprint), RIGOLETTA in the Oak Leaf-G1 (BC Juvenile Fillies), WINTER MEMORIES in the Miss Grillo-G3 (BC Juvenile Fillies Turf), and AIR SUPPORT in the Pilgrim-G3 (BC Juvenile Turf).

That leaves 19 spots up for grabs. Eleven of those will be taken by upcoming winners at Keeneland or Oak Tree at Hollywood Park. Two others will come from Belmont Park. The final round of qualifying races comes Saturday, October 16, and includes a trio of Grade I races at Woodbine. It remains to be seen whether those races have any real impact on this year’s Breeders’ Cup, given that the final round of qualifying comes just three weeks before championship weekend. No racetrack has a bigger pre-Breeders’ Cup series of races than Keeneland this weekend, where there are eight automatic starting spots in the Breeders’ Cup up for grabs. Del Mar Horse Betting

Here are the remaining Breeders’ Cup Challenge races:

Friday, October 8 … Keeneland…Darley Alciabides-G1 …Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies
Friday, October 8 … Keeneland … Phoenix Stakes-G3 … Breeder’s Cup Sprint

Saturday, October 9 … Keeneland … Breeders’ Futurity-G1 … Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
Saturday, October 9 … Keeneland … First Lady-G1 … Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf
Saturday, October 9 … Keeneland … Shadwell Turf Mile-G1 … Breeders’ Cup Mile
Saturday, October 9 … Keeneland … TCA Stakes-G2 … Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint
Saturday, October 9 … Belmont Park … Champagne-G1 … Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
Saturday, October 9 … Belmont Park … Frizette-G1 … Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies
Saturday, October 9 … Oak Tree … Oak Tree Mile-G2 … Breeders’ Cup Mile
Saturday, October 9 … Oak Tree … Ancient Title-G1 … Breeders’ Cup Sprint

Sunday, October 10 … Keeneland … Bourbon Stakes-G3 … Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf
Sunday, October 10 … Keeneland … Juddmonte Spinster-G1 … Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic

Monday, October 11 … Oak Tree … Morvich Handicap-G3 … Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint

Thursday, October 14 … Keeneland … Jessamine Stakes … Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

Saturday, October 16 … Woodbine … Canadian International-G1 … Breeders’ Cup Turf
Saturday, October 16 … Woodbine … E. P. Taylor-G1 … Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf
Saturday, October 16 … Woodbine … Nearctic-G1 … Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint
Saturday, October 16 … Calder … Spend a Buck Handicap-G3 … Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile
Saturday, October 16 … Newmarket … Emirates Champion-G1 … Breeders’ Cup Turf