Edited press release
Ticket applications for the 2008 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, hosted by Oak Tree Racing Association at Santa Anita Park, will be mailed beginning Thursday, May 1, it was announced April 24. The 25th Breeders’ Cup, consisting of 14 races and a record $25.5 million in purses, will be held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24-25.
Completed ticket applications received at Santa Anita Park by June 9, 2008, will be included in a random draw for priority seating. Lottery winners will be notified by July 15. Applications received after the deadline will be handled on a first-come, first-serve basis, depending upon seating availability. Fans may register to receive a ticket application by visiting Breeders' Cup, Santa Anita, or Oak Tree Racing Web sites.
In the second year of its two-day format, the Breeders’ Cup will bundle the vast majority of the seats for Friday and Saturday, ensuring its guests the same seat location for both days. Breeders’ Cup officials announced earlier this year that all five races for fillies and mares will be carded together on Friday, marking the first time a major Thoroughbred event in North America has focused an entire day on female championship racing. In addition to the five Breeders’ Cup races slated for Friday and nine for Saturday (see below for Championship lineup), there will be five other races on Friday and two on Saturday for a total of 21 races over the two days.
Fans may also pre-purchase the same seats or better for 2009 – Santa Anita is also the host track for the 2009 Breeders’ Cup -- at the time of purchase for this year.
“The Breeders’ Cup is always well received in Southern California and with the initial positive national response to last year’s introduction of Championship Friday, we expect strong demand for Breeders’ Cup 25,” said Breeders’ Cup president and CEO Greg Avioli. “We have designed our ticket policy with a range of options to accommodate fans who want to ensure premium, priority seating for both days as well as those who might prefer to come for one.”
Breeders’ Cup, for the first time at Santa Anita, will also create a Champions Village in the infield with private chalets to host current and prospective marketing partners, and large groups.
Prices for tickets for the 25th Breeders’ Cup will range from $20 for one-day general grandstand admission ($15 for Santa Anita’s Thoroughbreds Club members) to reserved grandstand seats ranging from $200 to $600, depending on location, for the two-day package.
In addition to seats sold via the lottery, general admission ($20) and clubhouse admission ($50) will be available on both days of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Patrons not selected in the random draw will be able to purchase admission at the gate, and have access to a limited number of unreserved seats available throughout the facility including infield and trackside access.
2008 Breeders’ Cup Schedule of Races:
Friday, October 24
$2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies
$1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf
$1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint
$2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf
$2 million Breeders’ Cup Ladies' Classic
Saturday, October 25
$1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf
$1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile
$1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint
$2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
$2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint
$2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile
$3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf
$5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic
$500,000 Breeders’ Cup Marathon
