Final automatic qualifying positions for the Breeders' Cup World Championships will be at stake Oct. 8 and Oct. 9 in a pair of live NBC shows.
Coverage begins at 5 p.m. EDT, Saturday on NBC from Keeneland in Lexington, with the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. IT) and the $500,000 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (gr. I). The $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (gr. I) highlights Sunday's live 5 p.m. EDT show on NBC.
This weekend's one-hour broadcasts are the eighth and ninth programs, respectively, in the "Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In—presented by Lane's End Farm and America's Best Racing," on NBC and NBC Sports Network, featuring 16 "Win And You're In" races plus other major stakes on the road to the Breeders' Cup, Nov. 4-5 at Santa Anita Park, and televised by NBC Sports Group.
Both shows will be streamed live on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports mobile application. Winners of these Challenge races, which combined offer more than $10 million in purses, automatically qualify for a spot in the Breeders' Cup.
Saturday's show will also include coverage of defending Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) winner Tepin in the one mile $400,000 Frist Lady Stakes (gr. IT) at Keeneland and top stakes from Belmont Park.
Tom Hammond hosts NBC's coverage this weekend, and will be joined by analyst Nick Luck and reporters Donna Brothers and Kenny Rice. Daily Racing Form's Matt Bernier will serve as the on-air handicapper.
