Final automatic qualifying positions for the Breeders' Cup World Championships will be at stake at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., this weekend, led by the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile this Saturday at 5 p.m. ET on NBC, and the $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes this Sunday at 5 p.m. ET on NBC.
The Shadwell Turf Mile, run at one mile on the turf course for 3-year-olds and up, a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Mile, and the Juddmonte Spinster Stakes, run at 1 1/8 miles for fillies and mares, 3-years-old and up, a "Win and You're In" for the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff, are the 9th and 10th telecasts, respectively, under the "Breeders' Cup Challenge Series - Presented by Lane's End" banner of automatic qualifying races leading into the Breeders' Cup World Championships, Oct. 30-31, which will be televised live on
NBCSN and
NBC from Keeneland.
Saturday's show will also include live coverage of the $500,000 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity, a "Win and You're In" qualifier for the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup from Belmont Park in New York, a "Win and You're In" for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic.
In addition to the Spinster, Sunday's program will also include coverage of the $250,000 Dixiana Bourbon Stakes, a "Win and You're In" qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.
Tom Hammond hosts NBC's coverage, joined by analyst/host Laffit Pincay III, analysts Randy Moss and Jerry Bailey, the Hall of Fame jockey and five-time Breeders' Cup Classic winner, reporters Donna Brothers and Kenny Rice, and analyst/handicapper Eddie Olczyk. Daily Racing Form's Matt Bernier will also serve as handicapper.
Midwest Thoroughbred's The Pizza Man, with a life time record of 15 of 23, leads an outstanding field of 12 horses in the Shadwell Turf Mile. The 6-year-old, trained by Roger Brueggemann, won the Arlington Million at Arlington Park in August, to gain an automatic berth into the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, and now seeks to gain a free spot in the Breeders' Cup Mile. Among the Challengers are Susan and Jim Hill's Grand Arch, who won the Fourstardave at Saratoga in August and was second in last year's Shadwell Turf Mile; and from Europe, the 3-year-old Dutch Connection (GB), who won the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot earlier this year.
In the 1 1/16 mile Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (GI), Big Chief Racing's Exaggerator leads the field of 12 two-year-olds. This son of 2007 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Curlin showed poise beyond his years when he rallied boldly up the inside to win the Saratoga Special (GII) August 16 for trainer Keith Desormeaux. Starlight Racing's Uncle Vinny, who won Saratoga's Sanford (GIII) in July (via disqualification) and was third in their Hopeful (GI) September 7 for trainer Todd Pletcher also looms a contender.
Sunday's Juddmonte Spinster (GI) is led by last year's Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Untapable, owned by Ron Winchell and trained by Steve Asmussen. The 4-year-old daughter of Tapit is looking to rebound after a tough campaign this year that has earned her just one win in five starts, which was the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park in April. Brereton Jones' 3-year-old Lovely Maria, who won the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland in the spring and then the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs, appears formidable again.
Sunday's supporting feature, the Dixiana Bourbon Stakes, is expected to draw an overflow field of 2-year-olds. Run at 1 1/16 miles, the Bourbon could be led by Teresa and David Palmer's Cajun Schill, who was impressive in winning the Calumet Farms Juvenile at Kentucky Downs September 5 for trainer Bill Kaplan.
As an added element to the racing action on both days, fans have the chance to win a trip the Breeders' Cup World Championships by playing the Million Dollar Finish fantasy game. The game is free to enter and play, and fans can register and submit their picks for each race online at: http://www.milliondollarfinish.com/. The fantasy player with the highest score for each designated race will win a once-in-a-lifetime VIP trip for two to the sold-out 2015 Breeders' Cup. After these final two Challenge Series broadcasts, players will also have a shot at the ultimate prize of $1 million during the Breeders' Cup World Championships by predicting the correct order for the top 10 finishers in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, which will air on Saturday, October 31 on NBC.
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