Horse Racing

A total of 62 races have been scheduled as part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" program for this year. Racetracks in seven countries will participate in the program where winners of designated races gain automatic entry into Breeders' Cup races.

"In our continuing efforts to maximize the global popularity and competition of the World Championships, we have expanded this year's Breeders' Cup Challenge series to more racing venues for our horsemen and fans," said Breeders' Cup president and CEO Greg Avioli.

"The Breeders' Cup Challenge creates increased international awareness on a weekly basis from July through October for the world's great horse races and for the outstanding horses that will be competing in the Championships." Foreign races from England, Ireland, France, Australia and Hong Kong are now included in the Breeders' Cup Challenge. The first of the 12 overseas events was the Champions Mile in Hong Kong in April won by Sight Winner. The win earned Sight Winner a starting spot in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile on the turf.

This year's Breeders' Cup World Championships will be held November 6 and 7, during the Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita Park, the first time a track will host the event two straight years.