BC Stakes Program Valued at $7.3M in 2005

This year's Breeders' Cup Stakes program will offer $7.3 million in purse money spread over 125 stakes. Included are 69 graded stakes in the United States and 15 graded stakes in Canada.

The purse outlay is up $205,000 from last year. Breeders' Cup officials said 15 events would receive purse enhancements for the first time. The total value of stakes in the program--including purse money from the tracks--is $22.5 million.

"We are pleased to continue substantial allocations in funding to horsemen across the U.S. and Canada and provide them with multiple opportunities to earn Breeders' Cup money throughout the year," D.G. Van Clief Jr., president of Breeders' Cup and commissioner of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, said in a release. "Additionally, the series is a valuable incentive for all breeders in sustaining foal and stallion nominations each season."

All grade I Breeders' Cup Stakes program events will be run under weight-for-age conditions beginning July 1.

In Breeders' Cup Stakes program events, Breeders' Cup- nominated horses run for the total purse. Non-nominated horses compete only for the purse money provided by the racing association. Breeders of nominated runners that finish first, second, or third in a Breeders' Cup Stakes program event also receive nominator awards.

Since 1984, Breeders' Cup has paid out more than $345 million in purses and awards through the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships and the Breeders' Cup Stakes program.