TVG to Present Live Coverage of Prix De L'arc De Triomphe

For the eighth consecutive year, TVG will present live coverage of the group I, $2.5 million Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, from Longchamp Racecourse near Paris Oct 1. The Arc will highlight a three-hour program beginning at 9:30 a.m. (all times Eastern). Post time for the Arc, a 1 1/2-mile race for horses 3-year-old and up, is 11:30 a.m.

Providing commentary and analysis will be Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, Todd Schrupp, and Simon Bray.

In addition to the Arc, the show will feature live coverage of three other races: the group I, $382,000 Prix Marcel Boussac (2-year-old fillies at one-mile, 10:05 a.m.); the group I, $445,000 Grand Criterium (2-year-olds at seven furlongs, 10:45 a.m.); and the Prix du Grand Hotel Barrieire (horses 4-years-old and up at one-mile, 12:15 p.m.). All Arc day races are on turf and serve as stepping-stones for the Breeders' Cup World Championships Nov. 4 at Churchill Downs.

In addition to telecasting the races, TVG will offer a full menu of interactive wagering on the Arc day card.

"For the eighth straight year, we are thrilled to present one of the greatest events in international racing to our viewers," said Tony Allevato, TVG senior vice-president and executive producer. "With the Arc being run five weeks prior to this year's Breeders' Cup, there's a great chance the best in the Arc will make the trip across the Atlantic to take on the best from the U.S."

The Arc is shaping up as having one of the smallest fields in memory, but what it lacks in quantity will more than be made up in quality. Trying for back-to-back wins in the race will be the André Fabre-trained Hurricane Run, who will be challenged by stablemate Shirocco, winner of last year's John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT). Shirocco defeated Hurricane Run earlier this month in the Prix Foy (Fr-II) on the same Longchamp course. Fabre is a six-time Arc winner.

Key challengers will be the Japanese-based superstar, Deep Impact, who has won 10 of 11 career starts, including last year's Japanese Triple Crown; St. Leger (Ire-I) victor Sixties Icon; Rail Link, winner of the Prix Niel (Fr-II); and a pair of female competitors, Pride, who was seventh in last year's Arc and 14th the year before, and Freedonia.