NTRA Board to Review Revised Business Plan

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The National Thoroughbred Racing Association board of directors will review a revised business plan that extends through 2005, and also consider a plan to rebrand and reposition the Breeders' Cup championship, during its meeting Friday morning at Arlington Park in Illinois.

The NTRA still operates under its original business plan, which was unveiled in 1997. NTRA commissioner Tim Smith said the revised document could at least be "conceptually approved" by the board of directors during Friday's meeting, and then be subjected to a public comment period.

The revised plan obviously includes the Breeders' Cup, which now has a joint operating agreement with the NTRA.

On June 26, the NTRA and Breeders' Cup have scheduled a press conference and sponsorship event in New York City to unveil a reconfigured national championship program. There will be at least one name change, repackaging of races that lead up to the fall championship, and details on sponsorships tied to the Breeders' Cup.

"We've already started the process of aligning sponsors with the major divisions in racing," Smith said. As an example, he noted that CNBC is broadcasting 2-year-old races that lead up to the Breeders' Cup.

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