There are few international racing events that capture the attention as much as the Breeders’ Cup. Across two days of action, some of the biggest purses in horse racing will be offered, with international challengers traveling over to the United States for their shot at glory.
However, you can find out everything you need to know about the event, such as the key Breeders Cup info, right here.
What Races Are Staged at the Breeders’ Cup?
The Breeders’ Cup is a two-day spectacle unlike anything else on the international calendar. Fourteen graded stakes races take place annually, with these races taking place on both dirt and turf.
The latter will be the targets for many of the horses traveling from across the globe, with British and Irish-trained runners among the favorites for races such as the Turf, Mile, and Juvenile Turf.
However, all the races that you can find horse racing odds for at Keeneland this year can be found below:
- Breeders’ Cup Classic
- Breeders’ Cup Turf
- Breeders’ Cup Mile
- Breeders’ Cup Distaff
- Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf
- Breeders’ Cup Sprint
- Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint
- Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint
- Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile
- Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
- Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies
- Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf
- Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint
- Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf
How Do Horses Gain Entry?
Entries for races held at the Breeders’ Cup are reserved for only the very best equine stars in the world. Throughout the season, some of the prestigious races that are held offer a ‘Win and You’re In’ for a specific Breeders’ Cup race.
Should a horse win one of those races, then their spot in the field for a race at the event is assured. Therefore, most horse racing predictions will often refer to these races when examining the field of runners.
However, if all the places aren’t filled in the races, then the remainder is made up by using a points system. Different points are awarded depending on the race where the horse was a winner.
Non-breeders’ Cup Challenge Race
For example, if a horse wins a non-Breeders’ Cup Challenge race that was a Grade 1, then they would be awarded ten points. Six points would also be awarded to a runner finishing second, and four awarded to a horse that finishes third.
Points are also available in Grade 2 and Grade 3 races. Six points are awarded to a winner in Grade 2 company, with four and two points going to the runners that finish second and third, respectively.
Meanwhile, four points are awarded to a winner in Grade 3 company, with the runner-up getting two points and the third getting a single point.
How Much Prize Money Is Available?
There are few more lucrative race days on the calendar than the Breeders’ Cup. That is evident by the Breeders Cup info that shows over $31 million is awarded the two days of action.
Each race that is staged during the meet will have a different amount available. However, the share of the purse is split the same across all races.
Winning Connections
The winning connections receive a mighty 51% of the purse, with the runner-up receiving 17%. A total of 9% of the purse is awarded to the horse that finishes third, while 5% and 3% are awarded to the horses that finish fourth and fifth, respectively.
Horses that finish sixth will also get 2% of the prize money. After that, horses that finish in seventh, eighth, ninth, or tenth get 1% of the purse.
How Much Is Each Race Worth?
The prize money on offer is dependent on the race. The most lucrative race staged at the Breeders’ Cup annually is the Breeders’ Cup Classic. This huge Grade 1 offers a massive $6 million.
Therefore, the winning connections could pick up as much as $3,120,000 in prize money. The second most lucrative race is the Breeders’ Cup Turf, which offers a purse of $4 million.
Staged Offer Slightly Smaller Purses
The majority of the races staged offer slightly smaller purses, with $2 million available in races such as the Distaff, Juvenile, and Sprint.
However, some races staged at the Breeders’ Cup offer a purse of $1 million. These races include the Dirt Mile, Filly & Mare Sprint, and the Juvenile Turf.
Field Sizes
Despite the fact that many horses are eligible to line up in races staged at the Breeders’ Cup, the Breeders Cup info indicates that all 14 championship races are limited to 14 runners. The selection process is made up of three factors.
Horses that earn entry through the Challenge Series make up the first spots before the points system allots the next runners that are eligible. If the field has still failed to fill, then a panel of experts determines the remaining places.
The experts will then judge the pre-entered horses based on which runners deserve a spot in the race. However, there is a slight difference to the field size rule this year, as the Turf Sprint and Dirt Mile will only field a total of 12 starters.
The Draw
After the field of runners has been decided, the draw will be made. This will determine the starting positions for each runner in every race being staged at the Breeders’ Cup.
The draw is typically staged earlier in the week, typically on a Monday or Tuesday. This will be the last big factor that could impact the betting markets, as those drawn low or high could face stiffer challenges to get victory in the competitive races that they are set to run in.
Breeders’ Cup in Recent History
It promises to be one of the most exciting editions of the Breeders’ Cup in recent history. The Classic once again dominates the headlines as John Sadler’s Flightline looks to become a superstar and continue his unbeaten record.
The Turf looks like a wide-open renewal, with the European trio of Bay Bridge, Rebel’s Romance, and Nations Pride looking as the most likely challengers.
Meanwhile, we could have a race for the ages in the Distaff, with Grade 1 winners Letruska, Malathaat, and Clairere taking on the up-and-coming three-year-old Nest. One thing is for sure; you won’t be able to take your eyes off the action at Keeneland for a second.
Biggest Purses
There are few international racing events that capture the attention as much as the Breeders’ Cup. Across two days of action, some of the biggest purses in horse racing will be offered, with international challengers traveling over to the United States for their shot at glory.
However, you can find out everything you need to know about the event, such as the key Breeders Cup info, right here.
What Races Are Staged at the Breeders’ Cup?
The Breeders’ Cup is a two-day spectacle unlike anything else on the international calendar. Fourteen graded stakes races take place annually, with these races taking place on both dirt and turf.
The latter will be the targets for many of the horses traveling from across the globe, with British and Irish-trained runners among the favorites for races such as the Turf, Mile, and Juvenile Turf.
However, all the races that you can find horse racing odds for at Keeneland this year can be found below:
- Breeders’ Cup Classic
- Breeders’ Cup Turf
- Breeders’ Cup Mile
- Breeders’ Cup Distaff
- Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf
- Breeders’ Cup Sprint
- Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint
- Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint
- Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile
- Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
- Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies
- Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf
- Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint
- Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf
How Do Horses Gain Entry?
Entries for races held at the Breeders’ Cup are reserved for only the very best equine stars in the world. Throughout the season, some of the prestigious races that are held offer a ‘Win and You’re In’ for a specific Breeders’ Cup race.
Should a horse win one of those races, then their spot in the field for a race at the event is assured. Therefore, most horse racing predictions will often refer to these races when examining the field of runners.
However, if all the places aren’t filled in the races, then the remainder is made up by using a points system. Different points are awarded depending on the race where the horse was a winner.
For example, if a horse wins a non-Breeders’ Cup Challenge race that was a Grade 1, then they would be awarded ten points. Six points would also be awarded to a runner finishing second, and four awarded to a horse that finishes third.
Points are also available in Grade 2 and Grade 3 races. Six points are awarded to a winner in Grade 2 company, with four and two points going to the runners that finish second and third, respectively.
Meanwhile, four points are awarded to a winner in Grade 3 company, with the runner-up getting two points and the third getting a single point.
How Much Prize Money Is Available?
There are few more lucrative race days on the calendar than the Breeders’ Cup. That is evident by the Breeders Cup info that shows over $31 million is awarded the two days of action.
Each race that is staged during the meet will have a different amount available. However, the share of the purse is split the same across all races.
The winning connections receive a mighty 51% of the purse, with the runner-up receiving 17%. A total of 9% of the purse is awarded to the horse that finishes third, while 5% and 3% are awarded to the horses that finish fourth and fifth, respectively.
Horses that finish sixth will also get 2% of the prize money. After that, horses that finish in seventh, eighth, ninth, or tenth get 1% of the purse.
How Much Is Each Race Worth?
The prize money on offer is dependent on the race. The most lucrative race staged at the Breeders’ Cup annually is the Breeders’ Cup Classic. This huge Grade 1 offers a massive $6 million.
Therefore, the winning connections could pick up as much as $3,120,000 in prize money. The second most lucrative race is the Breeders’ Cup Turf, which offers a purse of $4 million.
The majority of the races staged offer slightly smaller purses, with $2 million available in races such as the:
- Distaff
- Juvenile
- Sprint
However, some races staged at the Breeders’ Cup offer a purse of $1 million. These races include the Dirt Mile, Filly & Mare Sprint, and the Juvenile Turf.
Field Sizes
Despite the fact that many horses are eligible to line up in races staged at the Breeders’ Cup, the Breeders Cup info indicates that all 14 championship races are limited to 14 runners. The selection process is made up of three factors.
Horses that earn entry through the Challenge Series make up the first spots before the points system allots the next runners that are eligible. If the field has still failed to fill, then a panel of experts determines the remaining places.
The experts will then judge the pre-entered horses based on which runners deserve a spot in the race. However, there is a slight difference to the field size rule this year, as the Turf Sprint and Dirt Mile will only field a total of 12 starters.
The Draw
After the field of runners has been decided, the draw will be made. This will determine the starting positions for each runner in every race being staged at the Breeders’ Cup.
The draw is typically staged earlier in the week, typically on a Monday or Tuesday. This will be the last big factor that could impact the betting markets, as those drawn low or high could face stiffer challenges to get victory in the competitive races that they are set to run in.
Conclusion
It promises to be one of the most exciting editions of the Breeders’ Cup in recent history. The Classic once again dominates the headlines as John Sadler’s Flightline looks to become a superstar and continue his unbeaten record.
The Turf looks like a wide-open renewal, with the European trio of Bay Bridge, Rebel’s Romance, and Nations Pride looking as the most likely challengers.
Meanwhile, we could have a race for the ages in the Distaff, with Grade 1 winners Letruska, Malathaat, and Clairere taking on the up-and-coming three-year-old Nest. One thing is for sure; you won’t be able to take your eyes off the action at Keeneland for a second.
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