From Thoroughbred Times written by Steve Bailey
Breeders’ Cup Ltd. continues to tinker with its Breeders’ Cup World Championships program by moving all of the races restricted to females to Friday’s card with a series of festivities designed to promote a “Championship Friday” format.
The $2-million Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (G1), formerly the Distaff, will headline the five female championship races on the first day of the Breeders’ Cup’s two-day program on October 24 at Santa Anita Park.
The other races on the card will include the $2-million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1), the $1-million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, the $2-million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), and the inaugural $1-million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.
Purses for Friday’s Breeders' Cup races now total $8-million, more than doubling the purses from last year’s first-ever Friday card at Monmouth Park.
In addition to the championship races, the Friday festival also will include cause-related programs focused on women’s health, on-site initiatives for fans, promotions around Los Angeles and around the country, simulcast events at various outlets, and special merchandise designed specifically around a “Championship Friday” theme.
5 comments:
This seems pretty cool. What's your take on it? Good, bad, indifferent?
It sounds good in some ways, but I think it takes a little bit away from some of the mares that are top runners. Don't forget, fillies are allowed to run in the colt races and have done very well there, too. I think it will make the fillies who only run against other fillies look sub-par.
are you saying they aren't?
I think I'll ignore that one!
I'm not sure about this either. I like that it gives the fillies & mares a unique spotlight, but I hate that it seems to disqualify them from running with the boys.
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