Tag: The Biz

The Breeders' Cup and NBC Sports have announced the 2022 “Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In – presented by America's Best Racing” television schedule, consisting of nine live programs across NBC, CNBC and Peacock, featuring 18 automatic qualifying races from the nation's premier racetracks on the road to the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

Now in its ninth year on NBC Sports, the “Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In – presented by America's Best Racing” spotlights the country's top horses as they compete for an automatic starting position, and free entry, into a corresponding divisional race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The 39th Breeders' Cup World Championships will be held at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., on Nov. 4-5.

“We are delighted again to partner with NBC Sports to bring the most comprehensive and innovative coverage of horse racing to viewers across the country leading up to the World Championships,” said Drew Fleming, Breeders' Cup President and CEO. “We also thank our presenting partner, America's Best Racing, for their support of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series and ongoing efforts to promote the excitement and entertainment of our sport in so many creative ways.”

“We are excited to work with our longtime partners at Breeders' Cup on another compelling summer and fall of Challenge Series racing, culminating with the world's best horses competing in the World Championships at Keeneland in November,” said Gary Quinn, NBC Sports Vice President, Programming & Owned Properties.

NBC Sports coverage of the 2022 Challenge Series begins on Saturday, June 11 during Belmont Stakes Day programming. Belmont Park will host three Win and You're In races: the Hill 'n' Metropolitan Handicap (G1), which will provide the winner with an automatic starting position in the $1 million Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), the Ogden Phipps (G1), which awards an invitation into the $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), and the Jaipur Stakes (G1), which is a Win and You're In for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1). NBC Sports Belmont Stakes Day coverage will begin at 3 p.m. ET on CNBC and move to NBC from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET. Post times for the three Breeders' Cup Challenge races are still to be determined.

The series continues July 2 on NBC and Peacock at 4 p.m. ET from Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., with the Stephen Foster Stakes (G2), which is the first of four Win and You're In races for the $6 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) to be televised during this year's series. The July 2 program will also include live coverage of the Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2), for fillies and mares.

On July 23, CNBC (5 p.m. ET) will televise live the TVG.com Haskell Stakes (G1) from Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., where the nation's top 3-year-olds will vie for a free qualifying position into the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic.

Historic Saratoga Racecourse in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., will be the site for the Whitney (G1) on NBC and Peacock on Aug. 6 (5 p.m. ET), which will give the winner an automatic spot into the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic. Last year, Knicks Go gained a Win and You're In berth for the Classic when he won the Whitney going wire to wire. Knicks Go won the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar and was later crowned the 2021 Horse of the Year and 2021 Longines World's Best Racehorse.

The series will be back in Saratoga on Sept. 3 on NBC and Peacock (4:30 p.m. ET) for The Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) and The Flower Bowl (G1). The Jockey Club Gold Cup is a Win and You're In for the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, while the Flower Bowl will provide the winner a free starting position in the $2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1).

On Sept. 10 at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Ky., CNBC (5 p.m. ET) will televise two automatic qualifiers into the World Championships. The Calumet Turf Cup (G2) offers an invitation into the $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) and the FanDuel Turf Sprint (G2) is a Win and You're In for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1).

Two-year-olds will take center stage at Belmont Park on Oct. 1 when NBC and Peacock (4:00 p.m. ET) present The Champagne (G1) and the Miss Grillo Stakes (G2). The Champagne winner will receive a free starting spot in the $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) and the Miss Grillo winner will gain an invitation into the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1).

The “Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In – presented by America's Best Racing” schedule will conclude with two blockbuster CNBC telecasts on Oct. 8 and 9 from Keeneland. The Oct. 8 program will be highlighted by the Coolmore Turf Mile (G1), which is a Win and You're In for the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (G1). The program will also include the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1), which gives the winner a free berth into the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2), providing the winner with an invitation into the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).

On Oct. 9 (5 p.m. ET), the CNBC telecast will feature the Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (G1), the Castle and Key Bourbon Stakes (G2) and the Indian Summer Stakes. The Spinster will offer an automatic starting position in the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff, the Bourbon Stakes will give the winner a free spot into the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) and Indian Summer is a Win and You're In for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1).

The complete Challenge Series television schedule can be viewed here.

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series coverage on NBC and CNBC will be live-streamed on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

“Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In presented by America's Best Racing”
(Television schedule subject to change)
Date	Platform	Time (ET)	Event	Track	Challenge Division
Saturday, June 11	NBC, Peacock	5:00 – 7:00 PM (TBD)	Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap	Belmont Park	Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile
		(TBD)	Ogden Phipps	Belmont Park	Longines Distaff
		(TBD)	Jaipur Stakes	Belmont Park	Turf Sprint
Saturday, July 2	NBC, Peacock	4:00 – 6:00 PM	Stephen Foster Stakes	Churchill Downs	Longines Classic
			Fleur de Lis Stakes*	Churchill Downs	Longines Distaff
Saturday, July 23	CNBC	5:00 – 6:00 PM	TVG.com Haskell Stakes	Monmouth Park	Longines Classic
Saturday, Aug. 6	NBC, Peacock	5:00 – 6:00 PM	The Whitney	Saratoga	Longines Classic
Saturday, Sept. 3	NBC, Peacock	4:30 – 6:00 PM	Jockey Club Gold Cup	Saratoga	Longines Classic
			Flower Bowl	Saratoga	Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf
Saturday, Sept. 10	CNBC	5:00 – 6:00 PM	FanDuel Turf Sprint	Kentucky Downs	Turf Sprint
			Calumet Turf Cup	Kentucky Downs	Longines Turf
Saturday, Oct. 1	NBC, Peacock	4:00- 6:00 PM	The Champagne	Belmont Park	TVG Juvenile
			Miss Grillo	Belmont Park	Juvenile Fillies Turf
Saturday, Oct. 8	CNBC	5:00 – 6:00 PM	Thoroughbred Club of America	Keeneland	Filly & Mare Sprint
			Claiborne Breeders Futurity	Keeneland	TVG Juvenile
			Coolmore Turf Mile	Keeneland	FanDuel Mile
Sunday, Oct. 9	CNBC	5:00 – 6:00 PM	Juddmonte Spinster Stakes	Keeneland	Longines Distaff
			Castle and Key Bourbon Stakes	Keeneland	Juvenile Turf
			Indian Summer Stakes	Keeneland	Juvenile Turf Sprint

*Fleur de Lis is not a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race.

The post NBC Sports Plans Nine Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Broadcasts In 2022 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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In a continuing effort to attract out of state horses, Santa Anita Park has announced details of its 2022 Autumn Meet “Ship & Win” program. The upcoming Autumn Meet will offer fans and horsemen at total of 26 stakes, 15 of them graded, beginning opening weekend, Oct. 1 & 2, through closing day Nov. 6.

With the 39th Breeders' Cup World Championships scheduled to be run at Keeneland Race Course Nov. 4 & 5, Santa Anita will present five Breeders' Cup “Win & You're In” Challenge Race qualifiers over the first two weekends.

2022 AUTUMN MEET SHIP & WIN REQUIREMENTS

–In order for a specific horse to be eligible for program bonuses, they must have made their most recent start outside of California and not have started in the Golden State within the past 12 months.

–Horses that qualify for eligibility via Del Mar's Summer Ship & Win program retain eligibility for one start at Santa Anita providing they not start at any other track between the conclusion Del Mar's Summer Meet and the beginning of Santa Anita's Autumn Meet.

AUTUMN SHIP & WIN ELIGIBILITY COVERS ONE START AT SANTA ANITA

–In all overnight races, eligible horses are guaranteed $5,000 and a 35 percent bonus (of regular purse money-earned) will be paid for finishing first through fifth.

–In all stakes races, eligible horses will be guaranteed $5,000, with no additional purse earnings bonus.

For additional information regarding Santa Anita's 2022 Autumn Meet, please visit santaanita.com or call the Santa Anita Racing Office at (626) 574-6352.

The post Santa Anita Park Announces Autumn Meet ‘Ship & Win’ Program appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Tickets for the 163rd running of The Queen's Plate, Sunday, Aug. 21 at Woodbine Racetrack, go on sale Thursday morning at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster.ca.

The Queen's Plate, the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, is North America's oldest continuously run stakes event, showcasing Canada's top 3-year-old Thoroughbreds.

Recognized as one of Toronto's hottest summer events, this year's Queen's Plate will continue the great tradition of a fashion-forward day at the races, featuring live entertainment, unique dining experiences and world-class horse racing.

“The pageantry and vibrant energy of The Queen's Plate at Woodbine is truly one of our country's great annual events,” said Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. “Our team is excited to once again deliver one of the best parties of the summer on August 21.”

Guests attending this year's Queen's Plate can choose from the following admission, seating and dining options:

General Admission
​Grandstand Seating
​Ketel One Clubhouse Social
​Trackside Apron Experience
​Favourites Restaurant
​Garden Party

To purchase tickets for the 163rd Queen's Plate, click here.

For the latest information of The Queen's Plate and events at Woodbine Racetrack, visit Woodbine.com or follow @WoodbineTB on social media.

Messier tops initial Queen's Plate Power Rankings

As part of the lead up to the 163rd running of The Queen's Plate, Woodbine will regularly release power rankings of the top eligible horses for this year's race.

The power rankings are determined based on votes submitted by a group of Woodbine broadcast personalities and industry media/handicappers. This year's voters are Jeff Bratt, Robert Geller, Ron Gierkink, Jason Portuondo, Sheri Riddoch and Monique Vág.

Queen's Plate Winterbook favourite Messier received five of the six first-place votes and tops the initial rankings.

Bred by Sam-Son Farms, Messier recently competed in the Kentucky Derby where he faded to finish 15th after being involved in a record-setting hot early pace battle. The son of Empire Maker had never missed the top-two in six prior starts, with his top results being victories in the Bob Hope (Gr. 3), Robert B. Lewis (Gr. 3) and a runner-up effort in the Santa Anita Derby (Gr. 1).

Messier shipped back to California for trainer Tim Yakteen following the Derby and his next start has not been confirmed.

Sea Glass Stables' The Minkster slots in second on the power rankings, receiving the only other first-place vote. The Daniel Vella trainee breezed five-furlongs on May 21 at Woodbine in 1:01:00 over the Tapeta surface.

The Minkster went two for two last season, which included a high-profile victory in the Coronation Futurity. The last horse to complete the Coronation Futurity-Queen's Plate double was Norcliffe in 1975.

Sovereign Award winner God of Love is ranked third despite being sidelined since March. Trainer Mark Casse told Woodbine Communications this week that God of Love is doing well and will start breezing again soon.

Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber, God of Love captured last season's Cup and Saucer Stakes and Grey Stakes (Gr. 3). His lone start of 2022 was a sixth-place finish in the Sam F. Davis (Gr. 3) at Tampa Bay.

Star filly Moira, who was rated third on The Queen's Plate Winterbook, is ranked fourth. The Kevin Attard trainee is the early-favourite for this year's Woodbine Oaks, presented by Budweiser, and her morning works are picking up towards her season debut.

The top-five is completed by Casse student Sir for Sure, who recently shipped up to Woodbine from Casse's training centre in Ocala, Florida. Sir for Sure won his lone start of 2022 in a Maiden Special Weight on February 5 at Gulfstream Park and was second in last November's Frost King Stakes at Woodbine.

The 163rd Queen's Plate is scheduled for Sunday, August 21 at Woodbine Racetrack. Tickets go on sale this Thursday (May 26).

Fans can track the power rankings and all information regarding the Queen's Plate by visiting QueensPlate.com and on Woodbine Entertainment's social media platforms via @WoodbineTB.

Queen's Plate Power Rankings (March 25, 2022)

Rank – Horse – Career Record – Earnings – Trainer – Points – First Place Votes

1: Messier – 7-3-3-0 – $435,600 – Tim Yakteen – 28 – 5
​2: The Minkster – 2-2-0-0 – $166,223 – Daniel Vella – 17 – 1
​3: God of Love – 5-2-0-0 – $212,993 – Mark Casse – 17 – 0
​4: Moira – 2-1-1-0 – $149,415 – Kevin Attard – 14 – 0
​5: Sir for Sure – 3-1-1-0 – $53,542 – Mark Casse – 6 – 0

Honourable Mention: Ironstone, Duke of Love, Dancin in Da'Nile Sahlabiya

Voter Comments:

Messier

“Kentucky Derby is a total toss, but still have questions should they decide to run (at Woodbine) with surface being one of them. Back class alone warrants favouritism.” – Sheri Riddoch

“Could be pointed to the Plate after a disappointing Kentucky Derby.” – Ron Gierkink

“Cooked by hot pace of Kentucky Derby, but dangerous on front end with the right scenario despite some distance concerns.” – Robert Geller

“Derby runner is kind of like the 2022 Weyburn. He's the top pick if he shows up but will likely stay south of the 49th.” – Jason Portuondo

The Minkster

“Possesses natural speed as seen on the stretch out in the Coronation Futurity to stay undefeated. Bred to handle turf too.” – Robert Geller

“Winner of the Coronation Futurity – only race twice and won both by daylight.” – Sheri Riddoch

“Looking to break the curse of the Coronation Futurity.” – Jeff Bratt

God of Love

“Cup and Saucer/Grey champ is working his way back after injury.” – Jason Portuondo

“Champion 2-Year-Old has been idle since Sam Davis. Has run on all three surfaces which is an asset.” – Sheri Riddoch

“A very talented Casse trainee that should appreciate the added furlongs.” – Monique Vág

Moira

“Yet to make her 2022 debut but has shown natural talent.” – Sheri Riddoch

“Princess Elizabeth heroine shows strong works gearing up for sophomore debut.” – Jason Portuondo ​

Sir for Sure

“Up-and-comer graduated on the Tapeta at Gulfstream.” – Ron Gierkink

 

The post Queen’s Plate Tickets On Sale Thursday; Messier Tops Power Rankings appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) Foundation has launched its first annual youth grant program. The KEEP Foundation is committed to helping support youth who want to become involved with the equine industry for the first time, or continue their involvement in the equine industry.

The KEEP Foundation Youth Grant is available to individuals ages 21 and under who want to attend an equine educational opportunity in Kentucky, who have an interest and desire to be involved with the industry, but lack the financial support.

“We are excited to provide this opportunity to Kentucky's youth,” said Alexandra Harper, Executive Director of the KEEP Foundation. “The equine industry depends on the next generation of equine enthusiasts to become involved as much as possible, and the KEEP Foundation wants to make sure that a variety of industry pathways are available to our youth and a lack of financial support doesn't keep them from participating.”

Youth grants of up to $500 are available, and the application period is open from June 1 through July 29. For more information or to apply for a youth grant, please visit HERE.

The KEEP Foundation has expanded its programming in recent years. In addition to its monthly Equine Educational Luncheon Series and its Workforce Initiatives, the Foundation has also partnered with Amplify Horse Racing, to launch its Equine Career Tours Series and Amplify Junior (sponsored by MyRacehorse).

All of these programs and initiatives would not be possible without the support of Kentucky's equine industry and proceeds from the KEEP Foundation's Seattle Slew license plate.

If you would like to support the KEEP Foundation's education initiatives, donations can be made HERE.

ABOUT THE KEEP FOUNDATION
The mission of the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), established in 2014, is to support the economic success of Kentucky's signature industry by ensuring its continued economic viability, making the industry accessible for all who want to participate, introducing more young people to the industry and its opportunities, and educating the people of the Commonwealth about the importance of horses to the state, its economy, its heritage, and its people. www.thekeepfoundation.org

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