Breeders’ Cup Announces Challenge Series Races for August

Headlined by three automatic qualifiers for the $7-million GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic and three “Win and You’re In” starting positions at York’s Ebor Festival in Britain, the Breeders’ Cup announced its August schedule of Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series races Wednesday.

There will be 16 Breeders’ Cup Challenge races in August, beginning Aug. 1 with two races at Saratoga Race Course and one at Del Mar. Saratoga will host the GI Whitney S., which will give the winner an automatic berth into Classic, as well as the GI Personal Ensign S., providing the winner a spot in the starting gate for the $2-million GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Later that day at Del Mar, the second automatic berth into the $2-million GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint will be awarded to the winner of the GI Bing Crosby S. The following day, Aug. 2, Del Mar will host its “Win and You’re In” for the Distaff, the GI Clement L. Hirsch S.

The rest of the August schedule with corresponding Breeders’ Cup events are as follows: the Aug. 8 GI Ballerina S. at Saratoga (Filly & Mare Sprint), Aug. 15 GI Alabama S. at Saratoga (Distaff), Aug. 16 G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville in France (Mile), Aug. 19 G1 Juddmonte International S. at York in Great Britain (Classic), Aug. 20 G1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks at York (Filly & Mare Turf), Aug. 21 G1 Coolmore Nunthorpe S. at York (Turf Sprint), Aug. 22 GI Fourstardave H. at Saratoga (Mile), GI TVG Pacific Classic (Classic) and GII Del Mar H. (Turf) at Del Mar, Aug. 23 G1 Darley Prix Morny at Deauville (Juvenile Turf Sprint), Aug. 29 GI Sword Dancer Invitational S. at Saratoga (Turf) and GII Pat O’Brien S. at Del Mar (Dirt Mile).

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July 2 Insights

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency

HALF TO LA VERDAD DEBUTS AT ELLIS

4th-ELP, $37K, Msw, 2yo, 5f, 3:14p.m.

FUEGO CALIENTE (Will Take Charge), a half-brother to the late champion La Verdad (Yes It’s True), makes his career bow in this spot for Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen. His fleet-footed half-sister won 11 black-type races and an Eclipse Award over her lengthy career for Linda Rice, earning over $1.5-million. The bay succumbed to colic in May after producing her fourth foal, a colt by Into Mischief. Out of SP Noble Fire (Hook and Ladder), the Three Chimneys homebred is also a half to GSW & GISP Hot City Girl (City Zip) and GSP Noble Freud (Freud). TJCIS PPs

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Announcer, Analyst McNerney Hoping To Bring ‘More Educated Angles’ To Dual Role At Ellis Park

Jimmy McNerney, Ellis Park's announcer who also does the morning line and race selections for the program, is resuming his role as pre-race analyst from his booth. Rocco O'Connor, the paddock analyst the past two years, has left horse racing.

McNerney also is the race-caller at Turfway Park during the winter and a top jockey agent at Indiana Grand. He believes having a bird's-eye view of so many races helps him in his handicapping.

“I think I have unique insight just from my other duty as announcer,” said McNerney, who had been the Ellis broadcast analyst several years ago and also holds that position at Turfway Park. “Not that other people can't see it on replays, but I do catch stuff. I watch the horses on the gallop-out, whereas the normal replay stops and goes back to odds or slow-mo finish. I can see them galloping out. I watch all that stuff, really critique a race. When I prepare, I watch the last couple of replays of most horses, not only for handicapping purposes but I do it also because sometimes you need the pronunciation of a name. Probably being an announcer gives me a little more insight.

“And I'm so close to all those people down there that I have a lot of insight with the local horsemen. I know how horses are training. I hope I can bring a little more educated angles.”

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