Breeders' Cup Tickets On Delay

By this time last year, Lone Star Park officials had already reported selling 34,000 tickets for the 2004 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.

This year is much different.

Debbie Blair, who handles ticketing for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) said that the vast differences between the set up and nature of seating at the Texas and New York tracks have played a factor in the timing of selling.

Since there was no general admission seating at Lone Star Park last year, getting an early start on selling the 48,000 reserved seats was vital. "It took a lot more time and effort," said Blair. This year, with hundreds of general admission spots open at Belmont, people are free to buy tickets at the door for as little as $10.

"We're working on the (ticket) application right now, but it's not finalized yet," Blair said, referring to the form to fill out for the event's advanced seating. She related that pricing would range from $65 to $450, depending on location. The NTRA hopes to make the application available online to the public between June 1 and 15.

To get a head start in the meantime, patrons can be entered in the database to receive an application as soon as they're available by sending a name, physical address and phone number to the NTRA, attn: Breeders Cup Tickets, P.O. Box 90, Jamaica, N.Y. 11417. Emails will also be accepted at bctickets@ntra.com.

Blair said she had already received more than 1,000 application requests for the approximate 16,635 seats that will be offered to the public.