Edited Breeders' Cup release
The Breeders’ Cup announced Aug. 22 that, for the first time, also eligible horses will be designated following the close of entries for all oversubscribed races at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Oct. 24-25 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. An oversubscribed race is one in which there are more than 14 horses (or 12 in three instances) entered to participate.
There will be a maximum of two also-eligible horses for each Breeders’ Cup World Championships race that is oversubscribed. There are 14 Breeders’ Cup races held over the two days of the Championships. Eleven Championship races are limited to 14 horses per race. Three races are limited to 12 horses: the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.
“Our goal is to have as many full fields as possible for the Championships races,” said Breeders’ Cup president and CEO Greg Avioli. “Establishing also-eligible lists increases the opportunity to give as many top quality horses a chance to compete for a Championship and offers fans greater wagering value.”
At the pre-entry stage, Oct. 14, the Breeders’ Cup Racing Directors/Secretaries Panel will create an also-eligible list of horses for all oversubscribed races. Should a race still remain oversubscribed at the time of entry, Tuesday, October 21 at 10:00 a.m. PT, a maximum of two also-eligible horses will be chosen from the entries in the ranked preference order determined by the panel at pre-entry.
Should there be a defection from a field following the Post Position draw on October 21, horses may move into a designated race until 7 a.m. Friday, Oct. 24. No horses may move into any Championship race on Friday or Saturday after scratch time.
In previous years, all Breeders’ Cup races were closed following entry time.
The 2008 Breeders' Cup logo
