Breeders’ Cup Challenge races will be broadcast during five programs scheduled from Oct. 2-16, Breeders’ Cup said Sept. 30.
The Challenge races, most of them at Oak Tree at Hollywood Park, Keeneland, and Woodbine, are final preps for the Nov. 5-6 World Championships at Churchill Downs.
On Oct. 2, the Lady’s Secret Stakes (gr. I) at Hollywood Park will be broadcast live on ESPN between two NCAA college football games at about 7:15 p.m. EDT. The race also will be part of a Breeders’ Cup Challenge telecast from 6:30-8 p.m. on ESPN Classic and ESPN3.
The Lady’s Secret features undefeated Zenyatta, who seeks her 19th straight victory.
The broadcast team for the programs will include Joe Tessitore hosting, with color analysts Randy Moss and Jerry Bailey, reporters Jeannine Edwards and Jay Privman, and handicapping from Hank Goldberg.
Here is the complete schedule, with times in Eastern Standard Time:
Oct. 2 (Oak Tree at Hollywood Park)
6:30-8 p.m.
Lady’s Secret Stakes (Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic), 7:15 p.m., ESPN
Other stakes to be determined, ESPN Classic and ESPN3
Oct. 8 (Keeneland)
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Phoenix Stakes (Sentient Jet Sprint), 4:45 p.m., ESPN2 and ESPN3
Darley Alcibiades (Grey Goose Juvenile Fillies), 5:20 p.m., ESPN2 and ESPN3
Oct. 9 (Keeneland)
4:30-6 p.m.
Abu Dhabi First Lady Stakes (Emirates Airline Filly & Mare Turf), 4:35 p.m., ESPN Classic and ESPN3
Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity (Grey Goose Juvenile), 5:10 p.m., ESPN Classic and ESPN3
Shadwell Turf Mile (TVG Mile), 5:45 p.m., ESPN Classic and ESPN3
Oct. 10 (Keeneland)
5-6 p.m.
Bourbon Turf (Juvenile Turf), 5:10 p.m., ESPN2 and ESPN3
Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (Ladies’ Classic), 5:43 p.m., ESPN2 and ESPN3
Oct. 16 (Woodbine)
4-6 p.m.
Nearctic Stakes (Turf Sprint), 4:23 p.m., ESPN2 and ESPN3
E.P. Taylor Stakes (Emirates Airline Filly & Mare Turf), 5:03 p.m., ESPN2 and ESPN3
Pattison Canadian International (Emirates Airline Turf), 5:40 p.m., ESPN2 and ESPN3
Emirates Champion Stakes from Newmarket, England (Emirates Airline Turf), time to be announced, ESPN2 and ESPN3 on same-day tape
