Breeders' Cup Challenge Races Overview

by Patricia Woo | Sep 6 2010

The Breeders’ Cup World Championships is the year-end target for many of horse racing’s best. And one of the fastest ways to qualify is to win a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race, part of a program whose motto is as simple as “Win and You’re In.” Mark your calendars to catch some of the most exciting races on the way to the Nov. 5 – 6 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Churchill Downs.

This Saturday, Sept. 11, long-distance runners will be highlighted in the $100,000 Gr. 3 Turfway Park Fall Championship at Turfway Park, a “Win and You’re In” event for the Breeders’ Cup Marathon on Nov. 5. Neil Howard’s 5-year-old charge Atoned could be making his return to graded stakes action in the 1 ½ mile event.

On Sept. 19, 3-year-old milers and up will be competing for a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Mile on Nov. 6 in the turf-run $1M Gr. 1 Woodbine Mile at Woodbine Racetrack. 2009 champion older male Gio Ponti has been nominated to the event, along with 4-year-old turf-specialist The Usual Q.T. Last year, Ventura became the first female winner of the Woodbine Mile, setting a race record of 1:32.04; she went on to come in second in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint that November. Who will win the 2010 edition of the Woodbine Mile?

Two highly anticipated Breeders’ Cup Challenge races for 3-year-olds and up will be run on Oct. 2 at the Oak Tree meet at Hollywood Park: the $250,000 Gr. 1 Goodwood Stakes and the $250,000 Gr. 1 Lady’s Secret Stakes – which was briefly renamed the Zenyatta Stakes before reverting back to its original name. The 1 1/8 mile Goodwood Stakes is a “Win and You’re In” event for the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 6 and will feature up-and-comer Twirling Candy, a promising 3-year-old son of Candy Ride. In the 1 1/16 mile Lady’s Secret Stakes, a trip to the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic on Nov. 5 is up for grabs – and unbeaten 6-year-old mare Zenyatta will be seeking her 19th career victory and her third straight Lady’s Secret Stakes title.

And on Oct. 9, get your first look at some of the exciting up-and-coming 2-year-olds in the $300,000 Gr. 1 Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park. The 1-mile event will guarantee the winner a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Nov. 6. This year, Todd Pletcher’s Uncle Mo is expected to be among the starters – this promising juvenile broke his maiden with an impressive 14 ½ length victory at Saratoga on Aug. 28 and will be among the top contenders.

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