World Series Racing Officials to Meet; New Sponsor Possible

Representatives will meet in New York next week to discuss a possible new sponsor for the group of 14-races known as the World Series Racing Championship.

The series was previously sponsored by Emirates Air, which announced last year it was withdrawing its financial support.

In 2001, the series comprised 12 races. New in 2002 are the Singapore Airlines International Cup on May 11 and the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup in Hong Kong on April 21.

"I find it most encouraging the solidarity we have in light of the world economy," World Series Racing Championship chairman James E. (Ted) Bassett III said. "We will be entertaining proposals from potential new sponsors. We have three companies that are very interested in sponsorship,"

Bassett said representatives of all participating countries will meet in New York on Jan. 30 and 31.

The series kicks off with the Dubai World Cup on March 23. The other series races are the: July 27 King George & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (England); Aug. 17 Arlington Million (U.S.); Sept. 1 Grosser Preis von Baden (Germany); Sept. 7 Ireland The Food Island Irish Champion Stakes; Sept. 29 Canadian International; Oct. 6 Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe Lucien Barriere (France); Oct. 26 (Australia); Oct. 26 Breeders' Cup Turf and Breeders' Cup Classic (U.S.); Nov. 24 Japan Cup; and Dec. 15 Hong Kong Cup.

Horses accumulate points throughout the series and a $1 million bonus is paid at the conclusion. Fantastic Light has won the series the past two years. Points are also accumulated by owners, trainers, and jockeys.