Breeders' Cup offers new cards

The Breeders' Cup World Championships, an annual series of Grade I thoroughbred horse races, changes the image of its cards. Now Friday is fully given to women races.

Photo: Breeders' Cup offers new cards

Earlier it was a single-day event; starting in 2007, it expanded to two days. Thus the Breeders' Cup launches female-oriented marketing and programs tied to the Friday card.

Through 2006, there were eight races on the Breeders' Cup card, all classified as Grade I races. In 2007, three races — Dirt Mile, Filly and Mare Turf, and Juvenile Turf — were added, all of them run the Friday before the remaining eight races. Three more new races — a Turf Sprint, Juvenile Filly Turf and Dirt Marathon — were also added for 2008.

While the order of the first five listed races on Saturday varies from year to year, the 'Distaff', 'Turf' and 'Classic' are traditionally the last three races.

First of all, the Breeders' Cup Distaff is now called the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic, and placed on Friday card. Both the Juvenile Fillies and the Filly and Mare Turf also will be moved to Friday. The Filly and Mare Sprint remains on Friday. The Juvenile Fillies Turf is something new not only for Friday but also for this season.

Saturday card will surprise by the Juvenile Turf, the Dirt Mile, the Marathon and Turf Sprint. The Juvenile, Sprint, Mile, Turf, and Classic will remain on Saturday card.

So, on the whole, five races will be run on Friday, nine - on Saturday.

Photo: www.drf.com