Live Coverage to Also Feature the Longines Test (G1)

STAMFORD, Conn. – Aug. 4, 2022 – Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) winner Life Is Good and Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) winner Olympiad headline the 1 1/8-mile, $1 million Whitney Stakes (G1) at historic Saratoga Race Course, as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series continues this Saturday live on NBC and Peacock at 5 p.m. ET, with an automatic starting position into the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on the line.

The Whitney Stakes is the fourth program this year in the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing” on NBC, Peacock, and CNBC from some of North America’s most iconic racetracks. The series leads to the 39^th Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, on Nov. 4-5. The complete series TV schedule can be accessed here and the NBC Sports programming schedule can be found here.

Saturday’s live coverage from Saratoga Springs, N.Y. will also include the $500,000 Longines Test Stakes (G1) for 3-year-old fillies.

NBC Sports’ coverage will feature commentary and discussion led by host Britney Eurton, analysts Randy Moss and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, winner of 15 Breeders’ Cup races including five victories in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, reporter Nick Luck, and handicapper Eddie Olczyk.

The morning line favorite Life Is Good, a 4-year-old colt owned by CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC, and trained by Todd Pletcher, has won seven of nine starts. He won last year’s Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Del Mar and opened this year defeating Knicks Go, last year’s Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, by 3 ¼ lengths in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park in January. Following a fourth-place finish in the Dubai World Cup (G1) in March, Life Is Good captured the 7-furlong John A. Nerud Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park on July 2 by 5 lengths. Life Is Good will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. from post six.

Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stable, LLC, and LNJ Foxwoods’ Olympiad, the 2-1 second choice, is undefeated this year in five starts. He won his last two races at Churchill Downs, taking the Alysheba Stakes (G2) over Happy Saver, and then earned an automatic berth into the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic on July 2 when he won the 1/8-mile Stephen Foster Stakes by 2 ¼ lengths over Americanrevolution.

Olympiad is trained by Bill Mott, who campaigned Cigar to an undefeated season of 10 victories in 1995, which culminated with a win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Mott also won the Breeders’ Cup Classic with Drosselmeyer in 2011. Olympiad will be ridden by Junior Alvarado from post four.

Boat Racing, LLC, Gainesway Stable, Roadrunner Racing and William Strauss’ 4-year-old Hot Rod Charlie will be making his Saratoga debut. Trained by Doug O’Neill, Hot Rod Charlie, who won last year’s Pennsylvania Derby (G1), finished second in this year’s Dubai World Cup and was second in the Salvator Mile (G2) at Monmouth Park on June 18. Seeking his fifth career win, Hot Rod Charlie will be ridden by Flavien Prat from post two.

Pletcher has two other starters for the Whitney in CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC’s Americanrevolution, and Wertheimer and Frere’s Happy Saver. The 4-year-old Americanrevolution, winner of last year’s Cigar Mile (G1), has won five of nine starts. Americanrevolution finished fourth in the listed Blame Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 4 prior to his runner-up finish in the Stephen Foster. Luis Saez has the mount, breaking from post one.

Happy Saver, the 2020 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) winner, is seeking his first win this year. After his runner-up finish in the Alysheba, the 5-year-old ran second behind Flightline, the top-rated horse in the latest Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings, in the Hill ‘N’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap (G1) at Belmont Park on June 11. John Velazquez has the mount on Happy Saver, breaking from post two.

Gary Barber’s 6-year-old gelding Zoomer steps into Grade 1 company for the first time. A son of 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Curlin, Zoomer captured a 1 1/8-mile claiming race at Saratoga by 7 lengths on July 17. Trained by Mark Casse, Zoomer will be ridden from post three by Joel Rosario.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for the Whitney winner to start in the World Championships. Breeders’ Cup will also provide a $10,000 travel allowance for all starters based outside of Kentucky to compete in the World Championships.

Over the years, the Whitney and the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic have had a strong connection. Six Whitney winners also captured the Classic in the same year: Awesome Again (1998), Invasor (ARG) (2006), Blame (2010), Fort Larned (2012), Gun Runner (2017), and Knicks Go (2021).

In the 7-furlong Longines Test Stakes, Godolphin’s Matareya is the prohibitive favorite based upon her four wins in four starts this year. Trained by Brad Cox, Matareya comes into the Test off a 6 ¼-length victory in the 1-mile Acorn Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park on June 11. Michael Dubb and Michael J. Caruso’s Hot Peppers has won five of six starts this year, including the Victory Ride (G3) at Belmont on July 9 for trainer Rudy Rodriguez.

NBC SPORTS AND HORSE RACING

NBC Sports is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Royal Ascot, and Pegasus World Cup Invitational Series.

ABOUT AMERICA’S BEST RACING

America’s Best Racing is a multimedia fan development and awareness-building platform, initiated by The Jockey Club, designed to increase the profile and visibility of North America’s best Thoroughbred racing events with a primary focus on the sport’s lifestyle and competition. You can follow America’s Best Racing at AmericasBestRacing.net as well as on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat.

ABOUT BREEDERS’ CUP

Breeders’ Cup Limited administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred horse racing’s year-end Championships, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The Breeders’ Cup is also a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, an organization composed of industry leaders committed to advancing safety measures in Thoroughbred racing and improving the well-being of equine and human athletes.

The 2022 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 Championship races, is scheduled to be held on November 4-5 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. The Championships will be televised live by NBC Sports. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website, breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media.

–NBC SPORTS–

Live Coverage to Also Feature the United Nations Stakes (G1)

STAMFORD, Conn. – July 22, 2022 – Undefeated Jack Christopher and morning line favorite Taiba headline NBC Sports’ live coverage of the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing” $1 million TVG.com Haskell Stakes (G1) this Saturday at 5 p.m. ET on CNBC from Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J. The winner of the eight-horse field will earn an automatic berth into this year’s $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

The TVG.com Haskell Stakes is the third program this year in the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing” on NBC, Peacock, and CNBC from some of North America’s most iconic racetracks. The series leads to the 39^th Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, on Nov. 4-5. The complete series TV schedule can be accessed here and the NBC Sports programming schedule can be found here.

Saturday’s live coverage will also include the 1 3/8-mile, $600,000 United Nations Stakes (G1) on turf.

NBC Sports’ coverage will feature commentary and discussion led by host Ahmed Fareed, analysts Randy Moss and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, winner of 15 Breeders’ Cup races including five victories in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, reporter Britney Eurton, and handicapper Matt Bernier.

Among Haskell contenders, Jack Christopher, owned by Jim Bakke, Gerald Isbister, Coolmore Stud and Peter Brant, has won all four of his starts, including two dominant wins this year in one-turn races. Trained by Chad Brown, Jack Christopher captured the Pat Day Mile (G2) at Churchill Downs on May 7 by 3 ¾ lengths and followed up that performance with a stunning 10-length victory in the 7-furlong Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park on June 11.

Zedan Racing Stables, Inc’s Taiba, the 7-5 morning line favorite, has raced just three times. After breaking his maiden by 7 ½ lengths in March, he defeated highly regarded stablemate Messier in the Santa Anita Derby (G1). A son of 2017 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Gun Runner, Taiba will look to rebound from his 12th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1) presented by Woodford Reserve. Trainer Bob Baffert has saddled nine winners of the Haskell, including Authentic in 2020, who also won the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic and the Horse of the Year title.

C2 Racing Stable LLC and La Milagrosa Stable, LLC’s White Abarrio, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., also had a disappointing Kentucky Derby, finishing 16th. However, he comes into the Haskell off a second-place finish in the Ohio Derby (G3) at Thistledown on June 25. White Abarrio was the top 3-year-old in Florida this winter, winning both the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) and the Florida Derby (G1).

Gold Square LLC’s Cyberknife defeated Howling Time by a nose in the 1 1/16-mile Matt Winn Stakes (G3) on June 12 at Churchill Downs. Trained by Brad Cox, Cyberknife has won three of five races this year, including the Arkansas Derby (G1). Cox also trained last year’s Haskell Stakes winner, Mandaloun, who was elevated from second place to first following the disqualification of Hot Rod Charlie.

The Albaugh Family Stables LLC’s Howling Time, trained by Dale Romans, won an allowance race at Churchill Downs on May 21 prior to the Matt Winn.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for the Haskell Stakes winner to start in the World Championships. Breeders’ Cup will also provide a $10,000 travel allowance for all starters based outside of Kentucky to compete in the World Championships.

In the United Nations Stakes, Chad Brown has entered Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables LLC, Wonder Stables, and Michael J. Caruso’s defending champion Tribhuvan (FR) and Madaket Stables, LLC, Michael Dubb and Louis Lazzinnaro LLC’s Adhamo (IRE). Tribhuvan defeated Adhamo by 3 ½ lengths in the Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes (G1) on June 11 at Belmont Park. The main challenge to the Brown duo should come from Otter Bend Stables, LLC’s Gufo, who has won eight races for trainer Christophe Clement, and finished third in the Manhattan Stakes as the 2-1 favorite.

NBC SPORTS AND HORSE RACING

NBC Sports is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Royal Ascot, and Pegasus World Cup Invitational Series.

ABOUT AMERICA’S BEST RACING

America’s Best Racing is a multimedia fan development and awareness-building platform, initiated by The Jockey Club, designed to increase the profile and visibility of North America’s best Thoroughbred racing events with a primary focus on the sport’s lifestyle and competition. You can follow America’s Best Racing at AmericasBestRacing.net as well as on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat.

ABOUT BREEDERS’ CUP

Breeders’ Cup Limited administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred horse racing’s year-end Championships, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The Breeders’ Cup is also a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, an organization composed of industry leaders committed to advancing safety measures in Thoroughbred racing and improving the well-being of equine and human athletes.

The 2022 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 Championship races, is scheduled to be held on November 4-5 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. The Championships will be televised live by NBC Sports. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website, breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media.

–NBC SPORTS–

Two Hours of Coverage to Feature Pair of “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series – Win and You’re In” Races: Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) & Princess Rooney Invitational (G2) Plus the Fleur de Lis (G2) and Kelly’s Landing Overnight Stakes

Historic 80-1 Longshot Kentucky Derby Winner Rich Strike Connections to Take Part in Special Trophy Presentation at Churchill Downs

STAMFORD, Conn. – June 30, 2022 – 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Mandaloun headlines NBC Sports’ live coverage of the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing” $750,000 Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) this Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock from Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The winner of the Stephen Foster Stakes will earn the first automatic berth into this year’s $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

The Stephen Foster Stakes headlines the second program this year in the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing” on NBC, Peacock, and CNBC from some of North America’s most iconic racetracks. The series leads to the 39^th Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, on Nov. 4-5. The complete series TV schedule can be accessed here and the NBC Sports programming schedule can be found here.

Saturday’s two-hour broadcast will also include coverage of the 1 1/8-mile, $350,000 Fleur de Lis (G2), for fillies and mares, and the 6 ½-furlong, $160,000 Kelly’s Landing Overnight Stakes for 3-year-olds and up. The $300,000 Princess Rooney Invitational (G2) from Gulfstream Park, a Win and You’re In for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), will also be featured during race coverage. Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner Ce Ce is expected to start in the Princess Rooney Invitational.

Also among the highlights, the connections of historic 80-1 longshot Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike will take part in a special trophy presentation at Churchill Downs.

NBC Sports’ coverage will feature commentary and discussion on-site at Churchill Downs led by host Britney Eurton, analysts Randy Moss and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, winner of 15 Breeders’ Cup races including five victories in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, and reporters/handicappers Matt Bernier and Eddie Olczyk.

The Stephen Foster Stakes, first run in 1982, has had a significant impact on the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, as five of its winners have gone on to win the Classic in the same year: Black Tie Affair (IRE) (1991), Awesome Again (1998), Saint Liam (2005), Blame (2010) and Gun Runner (2017).

Leading this year’s Stephen Foster, Mandaloun has won 6 races in 10 starts for trainer Brad Cox. A 4-year-old son of Into Mischief, Mandaloun won the Louisiana Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds in New Orleans in January but finished ninth in the Saudi Cup (G1) at King Abdulaziz Racetrack on Feb. 26. Earlier this year, Mandaloun was declared the winner of the 2021 Kentucky Derby following the disqualification of Medina Spirit. Cox, a two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer, saddled Knicks Go to victory in last year’s Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic. Mandaloun will be ridden by Florent Geroux from post six.

Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stable, LLC, and LNJ Foxwoods’ Olympiad is unbeaten in four starts this year. Trained by Bill Mott, who saddled Breeders’ Cup Classic winners Cigar (1995) and Drosselmeyer (2011), Olympiad captured the Mineshaft Stakes (G3) and the New Orleans Classic Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds before scoring a 2 ½-length win over the Churchill strip in the Alysheba Stakes (G2) on May 6. Junior Alvarado will ride Olympiad from post three.

Willis Horton Racing’s 4-year-old Last Samurai comes into the race off a 4-length victory in the Oaklawn Handicap (G1) on April 23. Last Samurai, who was transferred to the barn of trainer D. Wayne Lukas from previous trainer Dallas Stewart following the Oaklawn Handicap, will be ridden by Jon Court from post seven. Another graded stakes winner in the field is CHC, Inc. and WinStar Farm’s Americanrevolution. Winner of last year’s Cigar Mile (G1) in New York for trainer Todd Pletcher, Americanrevolution finished fourth at Churchill in the listed Blame Stakes on June 4 in his 2022 debut. Luis Saez has the mount on Americanrevolution, breaking from post two.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for the Stephen Foster winner to start in the World Championships. Breeders’ Cup will also provide a $10,000 travel allowance for all starters based outside of Kentucky to compete in the World Championships.

In the Fleur de Lis, Flurry Racing Stables LLC, Qatar Racing Limited, and Whisper Hill Farm, LLC’s 5-year-old mare Shedaresthedevil had won all five of her starts at Churchill Downs — including Grade 1 wins in the Longines Kentucky Oaks and the La Troienne — before suffering her first defeat under the Twin Spires when she finished second by a half-length to Pauline’s Pearl in defending her La Troienne title on May 6. Trained by Brad Cox, Shedaresthedevil has won nine of 19 starts. She will be ridden by Florent Geroux.

Stonestreet Stables LLC’s Pauline’s Pearl, trained by Steve Asmussen, has won two of four starts this year. In addition to the La Troienne, the 4-year-old daughter of Tapit won the Houston Ladies Classic Stakes (G3) at Sam Houston Race Park in January. Joel Rosario will ride Pauline’s Pearl from post four.

The Fleur de Lis is a part of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Dozen program. The first three finishers in the race will earn bonus credits applied toward entry fee costs into $2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).

Nine horses have been entered in the Kelly’s Landing Overnight Stakes, including last year’s $2 million Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) winner Aloha West. Trained by Wayne Catalano for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Aloha West will try to get back to the winner’s circle following two defeats this year, which includes a third-place finish in the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1) on May 7.

NBC SPORTS AND HORSE RACING

NBC Sports is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Royal Ascot, and Pegasus World Cup Invitational Series.

ABOUT AMERICA’S BEST RACING

America’s Best Racing is a multimedia fan development and awareness-building platform, initiated by The Jockey Club, designed to increase the profile and visibility of North America’s best Thoroughbred racing events with a primary focus on the sport’s lifestyle and competition. You can follow America’s Best Racing at AmericasBestRacing.net as well as on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat.

ABOUT BREEDERS’ CUP

Breeders’ Cup Limited administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred horse racing’s year-end Championships, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The Breeders’ Cup is also a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, an organization composed of industry leaders committed to advancing safety measures in Thoroughbred racing and improving the well-being of equine and human athletes.

The 2022 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 Championship races, is scheduled to be held on November 4-5 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. The Championships will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website, breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media.

–NBC SPORTS–

Stephen Foster Stakes, TVG.com Haskell, Whitney and Jockey Club Gold Cup Headline $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Automatic Qualifying Races

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 25, 2022) ― The Breeders’ Cup and NBC Sports today 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.

 

ABOUT NBC SPORTS

NBC Sports connects people to the moments that matter most and serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. The sports media company presents premier content across linear platforms NBC, USA Network, Golf Channel, and Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, as well numerous digital sites, including Peacock. It also consists of NBC Sports Next, a subdivision of NBC Sports and home to all NBCUniversal digital applications in sports and technology within its three groups: Youth & Recreational Sports, Golf, and Betting & Gaming. NBC Sports possesses an unparalleled collection of media rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, NASCAR, INDYCAR, PGA TOUR, Notre Dame, The R&A, PGA of America, USGA, Churchill Downs, Premier League, MLB, Tour de France, Roland-Garros, and many more.

 

ABOUT AMERICA’S BEST RACING

America’s Best Racing is a multimedia fan development and awareness-building platform, initiated by The Jockey Club, designed to increase the profile and visibility of North America’s best Thoroughbred racing events with a primary focus on the sport’s lifestyle and competition. You can follow America’s Best Racing at AmericasBestRacing.net as well as on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat.

 

ABOUT BREEDERS’ CUP

Breeders’ Cup Limited administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred horse racing’s year-end Championships, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The Breeders’ Cup is also a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, an organization composed of industry leaders committed to advancing safety measures in Thoroughbred racing and improving the well-being of equine and human athletes.

The 2022 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 Championship races, is scheduled to be held on November 4-5 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. The Championships will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website, breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media.

NBC Sports Presents 11.5 Live Coverage Hours of the Richest Two Days in Horse Racing – The 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships from Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California

Coverage Begins Thursday, Nov. 4 at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN with “Betting the Breeders’ Cup”; Live Race Coverage Begins Friday, Nov. 5 at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN & Saturday, Nov. 6 at 2:30 ET on NBCSN

Coverage Streamed Live on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app

STAMFORD, Conn. – Nov. 2, 2021 – NBC Sports presents 11.5 hours of live coverage of the 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships this weekend – the richest two days in horse racing – with $31 million in prize money at stake in 14 races. Highlighting the coverage is the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic this Saturday, Nov. 6, live from Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, Calif. at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

Highlighting Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic field:

• • Essential Quality: 2021 Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes winner, trained by Brad Cox;
  • Knicks Go: Korea Racing Authority’s five-year-old has won four of six starts this year, including victories in the Pegasus World Cup and the Whitney;
  • Medina Spirit: Finished first in the 2021 Kentucky Derby, trained by Bob Baffert;
  • Hot Rod Charlie: Trained by Doug O’Neill, finished second in the 2021 Belmont Stakes and won the Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 25.

Live coverage of the 38^th Breeders’ Cup World Championships begins Thursday, Nov. 4, at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN with handicapping special “Betting the Breeders’ Cup.” Live racing coverage begins Friday, Nov. 5, at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, followed by 6.5 live hours on Saturday, Nov. 6, beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN and continuing on NBC and Peacock at 8 p.m. ET.

2021 BREEDERS’ CUP TELEVISION SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES ET)
Date	Time	Event	Platform
Thurs., Nov. 4	5 p.m.	Betting the Breeders’ Cup	NBCSN
Fri., Nov. 5	5 p.m.	Breeders’ Cup World Championships	NBCSN
Sat., Nov. 6	2:30 p.m.	Breeders’ Cup World Championships	NBCSN
Sat., Nov. 6	8 p.m.	Breeders’ Cup Classic	NBC, Peacock

 

COMMENTATORS: Ahmed Fareed hosts coverage throughout the weekend alongside analyst and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, who owns 15 Breeders’ Cup wins; analyst Randy Moss; reporters Laffit Pincay III and Nick Luck; analyst/handicapper Eddie Olczyk and handicapper Matt Bernier; insights analyst Steve Kornacki; and reporters Kenny Rice, Donna Brothers, and Britney Eurton. NBC’s Triple Crown race caller Larry Collmus will call all of the Breeders’ Cup races. Maria Taylor makes her horse racing debut as the host of the primetime show Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Thursday afternoon’s “Betting the Breeders’ Cup” special features Eurton, Luck, Olczyk, Bernier, and Kornacki.

Programming highlights include:

• • Unique perspectives from the track through multiple live jockey cams and jockey and trainer/owner mics
    • This year, jockey cams will connect to real-time data viewers will see reflected in graphic overlays on replays, including speed, current position, distance from the leader, and distance from the finish
  • Breeders’ Cup Contender Cam featuring 14 paddock ISO cameras and 10 front-side ISO roof cameras
  • Drone camera coverage and Megladon camera
  • An outrider camera capturing intimate moments with the winning jockey immediately following the race
  • Celebrities make their Breeders’ Cup Classic picks
  • Maria Taylor catches up with the members of Boat Racing, the five former Brown University football teammates who are part-owners in Hot Rod Charlie
  • A feature on Distaff favorite Letruska – a horse of the year candidate – and what she means to her trainer, Fausto Gutierrez
  • Nick Luck interviews Charles Scheeler, the Chairperson of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority
  • A tribute to the late Bob Neumeier, who was a fixture on NBC Sports’ Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup horse racing coverage
  • Access to approximately 75 video sources, including cameras and feeds

 

NBC Sports’ coverage of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships is produced by Lindsay Schanzer and Billy Matthews, and directed by Kaare Numme. The coordinating producer of NBC’s horse racing coverage is Rob Hyland, who has been a part of the network’s horse racing coverage since 2001. Executive producer and president, production, NBC Sports and NBCSN is Sam Flood.

BREEDERS’ CUP COVERAGE ON COVERAGE ON NBCSPORTS.COM, NBC SPORTS APP & PEACOCK

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will stream live coverage to desktops, mobile, tablets, and connected TVs via “TV Everywhere,” giving consumers additional value to their subscription service, and making high-quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. The full HD-quality video stream will come directly from NBC’s broadcasts. NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app are available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play, Windows Store, Roku Channel Store, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Samsung Smart TVs, Xbox, and Chromecast. NBC Sports.com, the NBC Sports app, and Peacock – NBCUniversal’s streaming service – will provide a full race replay of the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

BREEDERS’ CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: The 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships consists of 14 races over two days at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, Calif. and features a total of $31 million in purses and awards. The culminating event of the Breeders’ Cup, the Breeders’ Cup Classic, is contested at 1 ¼ miles on the main track, for 3-year-olds and older. Breeders’ Cup Limited administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred racing’s year-end Championships.  The Breeders’ Cup also administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup Web site, www.breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

 

NBC SPORTS AND HORSE RACING: NBC Sports is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Triple Crown, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Royal Ascot, and Pegasus World Cup Invitational Series. NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001, and the Belmont Stakes since 2011, when NBC Sports Group reassembled the Triple Crown.

–NBC SPORTS–

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 12, 2021) ― Led by unbeaten Turnerloose, an overflow field of 14, including two also-eligibles, has been entered for Wednesday’s $200,000 Jessamine Stakes (G2) at Keeneland Race Course with the final automatic starting position in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) up for grabs. The 1 1/16-mile race for 2-year-old fillies will be televised live on NBCSN at 4 p.m. ET as a part of the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing.”

Wednesday program marks the 13^th and final show in this year’s “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing” on NBC and NBCSN from some of North America’s most iconic racetracks. The series leads to the 38th Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, on Nov. 5-6, which will be shown live on NBC and NBCSN. The Breeders’ Cup World Championships television schedule appears here.

NBC Sports’ coverage will feature commentary and discussion from its International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn., led by host Ahmed Fareed, analyst Randy Moss, and handicapper Matt Bernier. Reporters Britney Eurton and Nick Luck will be on-site at Keeneland.

Dawn and Ike Thrash’s Turnerloose has started her career with two wins. Trained by Brad Cox, the daughter of 2015 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and 2016 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Nyquist broke her maiden at 1 mile at Ellis Park on July 16 and then captured the 1-mile Aristocrat Juvenile Fillies Stakes at Kentucky Downs by five lengths on Sept. 6. Florent Geroux rides from post three. Another runner coming off a big effort at Kentucky Downs is Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Dressed, who has won two of her three starts. After breaking her maiden in her second try at Arlington Park, Dressed, trained by Wayne Catalano, came from off the pace to win a 6 ½-furlong allowance optional claiming race at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 12 by 3 ¼ lengths. Dressed will be ridden by Flavien Prat from post 12.

Making a five-wide sweeping move, SF Racing’s Misthaven (IRE) won on debut in a 6 ½-furlong maiden special weight by 1 ¾ lengths on Sept 5 at Kentucky Downs. Breaking from post 10, Misthaven, trained by Joe Sharp, will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione. Starting just to the outside of Misthaven in post 11 is Teneri Farm and J Stable’s Opalina. Trained by Roderick Rodriguez, Opalina is up from Gulfstream Park in Florida, where she broke her maiden at 1 mile on Sept. 17. Opalina will be ridden by Edgard Zayas.

 

ABOUT NBC SPORTS GROUP

NBC Sports Group serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. The sports media company consists of NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, NBCSN, Golf Channel, Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports Audio Network and NBC Sports Digital, which includes NBCSports.com, NBCOlympics.com,GolfChannel.com, the digital assets of the NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports EDGE, the NBC Sports Talk franchise, multiple apps, and two transactional sports businesses, GolfNow and SportsEngine, and two direct-to-consumer products – NBC Sports Gold and GolfPass. NBC Sports Group possesses an unparalleled collection of media rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, NASCAR, INDYCAR, PGA TOUR, The R&A, PGA of America, USGA, Churchill Downs, Premier League, Tour de France, French Open, and many more.

 

ABOUT AMERICA’S BEST RACING

America’s Best Racing is a multimedia fan development and awareness-building platform, initiated by The Jockey Club, designed to increase the profile and visibility of North America’s best Thoroughbred racing events with a primary focus on the sport’s lifestyle and competition. You can follow America’s Best Racing at AmericasBestRacing.net as well as on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat.

 

ABOUT BREEDERS’ CUP

Breeders’ Cup Limited administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred horse racing’s year-end Championships, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The Breeders’ Cup is also a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, an organization composed of industry leaders committed to advancing safety measures in Thoroughbred racing and improving the well-being of equine and human athletes.

The 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 Championship races, is scheduled to be held on November 5-6 at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California. The event will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website, breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 7, 2021) ― The “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing” comes to Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky for a blockbuster weekend of top Thoroughbreds competing for final automatic berths in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships with three live telecasts on NBCSN. The  action begins on Friday, Oct. 8 (5-6 p.m. ET) featuring the $400,000 Darley Alcibiades (G1) and continues, on Saturday, Oct. 9 (5-6 p.m. ET) with the $750,000 Keeneland Turf Mile (G1) headlined by Order of Australia (IRE), winner of last year’s FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile Presented by PDJF (G1). Saturday’s program will also include the $500,000 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1). The weekend concludes on Sunday, Oct. 10 (4:30-6 p.m. ET) with the $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (G1), led by the nation’s top older female Letruska.

The three programs mark the 10th, 11th, and 12th telecasts this year in the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing” on NBC and NBCSN from some of North America’s most iconic racetracks. The television series, which concludes on Wednesday, Oct. 13 at Keeneland with the JPMorgan Jessamine Stakes (G2) (NBCSN 4-5 p.m. ET), leads to the 38th Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, on Nov. 5-6, which will be shown live on NBC and NBCSN. The complete series TV schedule can be accessed here.

NBC Sports’ coverage for all three telecasts feature commentary and discussion from its International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn., led by host Ahmed Fareed, analyst Randy Moss, and handicapper Matt Bernier. Reporters Britney Eurton and Nick Luck will be on-site at Keeneland.

A field of 12 has been entered for Friday’s 1 1/16-mile Darley Alcibiades, for 2-year-old fillies,  with the winner receiving an automatic berth into the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). The Albaugh Family Stables’ Juju’s Map is the 5-2 morning line favorite off her commanding 5 ½-length maiden victory at Ellis Park on Sept. 3. Trained by Brad Cox, Juju’s Map will be ridden by Florent Geroux from post one. Breaking from the outside post 12 is Jim McIngvale’s Runup. A daughter of 2015 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) winner Runhappy, the Laura Wohlers-trained Runup won the Sorority Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park on Sept. 6 for her second victory in three starts. Runup will be ridden by Joseph Ramos. Trainer Kenny McPeek has won the Alcibiades five times. On Friday, he sends out Milam Farm’s Penny Saver, who broke her maiden by a widening 9 ½ lengths at Churchill Downs on Sept. 24. Brian Hernandez Jr. has the mount, breaking from post 10.

A “Win and You’re In” berth in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) will be awarded to the winner of the $250,000 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes (G2), which will be run prior to the Darley Alcibiades. Paradise Farm Corp. and David Staudacher’s Special Reserve, a winner of four races this year, leads the seven-horse field. Trained by Mike Maker and ridden from post six by Joel Rosario, Special Reserve finished second in Keeneland’s Commonwealth Stakes (G3) in April, then won the Maryland Match Series Sprint Stakes (G3) at Pimlico, and the Iowa Sprint Stakes at Prairie Meadows, prior to finishing second in the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga on July 31. Griffon Farms and Michelle Lovell’s homebred Just Might has won his last four races. Trained by Lovell, Just Might comes into the race off a frontrunning victory in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes at Churchill Downs on Sept. 18. Just Might will be ridden by Colby Hernandez from post four.

Saturday’s card at Keeneland is headlined by the Keeneland Turf Mile, which drew an outstanding field of 13 bidding for an automatic starting position in the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile Presented by PDJF (G1). Order of Australia returns to Keeneland where last year he came off the also-eligible list to win the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile at 70-1. Trained by Aidan O’Brien for owners Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Anne Marie O’Brien, Order of Australia won the Romanised Minstrel Stakes (G2) at The Curragh in Ireland in July, and was second in the prestigious Prix de Moulin de Longchamp (G1) in his most recent start on Sept. 5. John Velazquez has the mount from post 10.

Bonne Chance Farm and Stud R D I’s Ivar (BRZ) is the defending Turf Mile Champion, winning the 2020 race at 14-1. Trained by Pablo Lobo, Ivar finished fourth in last year’s FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile. In his lone start of 2021, Ivar finished sixth in the Old Forester Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 1. Joe Talamo has the mount, breaking from post six.  Trainer Mike Maker has entered three runners, including Skychai Racing and Sand Dollar Stable’s Somelikeithotbrown, who won the Dinner Party Stakes (G2) at Pimlico in May and has finished second in his last two starts, the Wise Dan (G2) at Churchill Downs and the WinStar Mint Million Stakes (G3) at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 6. Joe Ortiz will ride, breaking from post 13.

Saturday’s co-feature is the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity for 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles, and the winner receives an invitation to the TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1). Among the 13 entered, Phoenix Thoroughbred’s Double Thunder has won three times in four stats for trainer Todd Pletcher, including the Bashford Manor (G3) at Churchill Downs and the Sapling Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sept. 5. L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Stellar Tap broke his maiden at Saratoga on Aug. 7 and gave Steve Asmussen his 9,446^th victory, setting the all-time mark for most wins by a trainer. Stellar Tap, ridden from post three by Ricardo Santana Jr., will try to improve upon his fifth-place finish as the even-money favorite in the “Win and You’re In”’ Iroquois Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs on Sept. 18.

St. George Stable’s 5-year-old mare Letruska has had a sensational year, winning five of six races, and is expected to lead Sunday’s Juddmonte Spinster Stakes, which is a “Win and You’re In” for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). Trained by Fausto Gutierrez, Letruska gained a free berth into the Breeders’ Cup Distaff when she captured the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park in June. She also captured two more Breeders’ Cup Challenge races, taking the Fleur de Lis (G2) at Churchill Downs and the Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga. Juddmonte’s Bonny South finished just a half-length behind Letruska in the Personal Ensign. The 4-year-old filly won Keeneland’s Baird Doubledogdare Stakes (G3) in April.

Also on Sunday, the 1 1/16-mile Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes (G2) on turf will give the winner an automatic starting position into the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1). Among the expected starters is Silverton Hill’s Red Danger, who won the Global Tote Juvenile Sprint Stakes at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 9 for trainer Bryan Lynch, and Phoenix Thoroughbred’s Tiz the Bomb, winner of the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile Stakes on Sept. 6 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

 

ABOUT NBC SPORTS GROUP

NBC Sports Group serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. The sports media company consists of NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, NBCSN, Golf Channel, Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports Audio Network and NBC Sports Digital, which includes NBCSports.com, NBCOlympics.com,GolfChannel.com, the digital assets of the NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports EDGE, the NBC Sports Talk franchise, multiple apps, and two transactional sports businesses, GolfNow and SportsEngine, and two direct-to-consumer products – NBC Sports Gold and GolfPass. NBC Sports Group possesses an unparalleled collection of media rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, NASCAR, INDYCAR, PGA TOUR, The R&A, PGA of America, USGA, Churchill Downs, Premier League, Tour de France, French Open, and many more.

 

ABOUT AMERICA’S BEST RACING

America’s Best Racing is a multimedia fan development and awareness-building platform, initiated by The Jockey Club, designed to increase the profile and visibility of North America’s best Thoroughbred racing events with a primary focus on the sport’s lifestyle and competition. You can follow America’s Best Racing at AmericasBestRacing.net as well as on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat.

 

ABOUT BREEDERS’ CUP

Breeders’ Cup Limited administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred horse racing’s year-end Championships, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The Breeders’ Cup is also a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, an organization composed of industry leaders committed to advancing safety measures in Thoroughbred racing and improving the well-being of equine and human athletes.

The 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 Championship races, is scheduled to be held on November 5-6 at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California. The event will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website, breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media.

FRANKLIN, Ky. (Sept. 10, 2021) ― The “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing” comes to Kentucky Downs tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 11 on NBC from 5-6 p.m., with live coverage of the $1 million FanDuel Turf Sprint Stakes (G3) and the $1 million Calumet Turf Cup Stakes (G2).

Saturday’s program marks the sixth telecast this year in the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing” on NBC and NBCSN from some of North America’s most iconic racetracks. The series leads to the 38th Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, to be held Nov. 5-6 on NBC and NBCSN. The complete series TV schedule can be accessed here.

NBC Sports’ coverage will feature commentary and discussion from its International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn., led by host Ahmed Fareed, and analysts Randy Moss and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, who won 15 Breeders’ Cup races including five victories in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Reporter Britney Eurton and handicapper Matt Bernier will be on-site at Kentucky Downs.

The FanDuel Turf Sprint Stakes, to be run at 6 furlongs, gives the winner a free berth into the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1). The race is headlined by the outstanding 5-year-old mare Got Stormy, who is seeking her second Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series win this year. Owned by MyRacehorse and Spendthrift Farm, and trained by Mark Casse, Got Stormy secured a free berth into the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile presented by PDJF (G1) when she defeated male rivals in the Fourstardave Handicap (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 14. A 12-time winner, Got Stormy finished second in the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Mile and was fifth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Tyler Gaffalione will ride Got Stormy from post nine.

LRE Racing and JEH Racing Stable’s 5-year-old Casa Creed, trained by Bill Mott, already earned an automatic starting position into the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint when he captured the Jackpocket Jaipur Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park on June 5. In his most recent start, Casa Creed finished third in the Fourstardave Handicap (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 14. Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount breaking from post seven. Breeze Easy’s 7-year-old gelding Imprimis won last year’s race by a neck and earned a free berth into the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Trained by Joe Orseno, Imprimis got caught in traffic on the turn for home in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, and finished 13^th. This year, Imprimis won the Janus Stakes at Gulfstream Park in January, and was fourth in the Troy Stakes (G3) at Saratoga on Aug 6.

The past two winners of the Calumet Turf Cup Stakes ― Arklow and Zulu Alpha ― are among 12 horses entered for the 1 ½-mile race, with the winner gaining a free starting position into the $4 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), which will also be run at 1 ½ miles. Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger and the Estate of Peter Coneway’s 7-year-old gelding Arklow won last year’s race by 1 ¼ lengths. Trained by Brad Cox, Arklow has one win in three starts this year, taking the Louisville Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs on May 15 for his ninth career victory. Arklow will be ridden from post 5 by Florent Geroux. Michael Hui’s Zulu Alpha, won the 2019 Turf Cup by 1 ¾ lengths, and finished third behind Arklow in last year’s renewal. A leg injury prevented Zulu Alpha from running in last year’s Breeders’ Cup. This year, the 8-year-old gelding, trained by Mike Maker, has been winless in two starts, registering a seventh-place finish last time out in the Mr. D. Stakes (G1) at Arlington Park. Ricardo Santana Jr. rides Zulu Alpha from post 11.

Calumet Farm’s homebred Channel Cat has a Grade 1 victory this year, taking the Man o’ War Stakes at Belmont Park on May 8. Channel Cat, a 6-year-old son of 2007 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner English Channel, is trained by Jack Sisterson, and will be ridden from post three by John Velazquez.

ABOUT NBC SPORTS GROUP

NBC Sports Group serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. The sports media company consists of NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, NBCSN, Golf Channel, Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports Audio Network and NBC Sports Digital, which includes NBCSports.com, NBCOlympics.com,GolfChannel.com, the digital assets of the NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports EDGE, the NBC Sports Talk franchise, multiple apps, and two transactional sports businesses, GolfNow and SportsEngine, and two direct-to-consumer products – NBC Sports Gold and GolfPass. NBC Sports Group possesses an unparalleled collection of media rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, NASCAR, INDYCAR, PGA TOUR, The R&A, PGA of America, USGA, Churchill Downs, Premier League, Tour de France, French Open, and many more.

 

ABOUT AMERICA’S BEST RACING

America’s Best Racing is a multimedia fan development and awareness-building platform, initiated by The Jockey Club, designed to increase the profile and visibility of North America’s best Thoroughbred racing events with a primary focus on the sport’s lifestyle and competition. You can follow America’s Best Racing at AmericasBestRacing.net as well as on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat.

 

ABOUT BREEDERS’ CUP

Breeders’ Cup Limited administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred horse racing’s year-end Championships, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The Breeders’ Cup is also a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, an organization composed of industry leaders committed to advancing safety measures in Thoroughbred racing and improving the well-being of equine and human athletes.

The 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 Championship races, is scheduled to be held on November 5-6 at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California. The event will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website, breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media.

Automatic Berths on the Line for Breeders’ Cup World Championships in Saturday’s Jockey Club Gold Cup and Flower Bowl

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (Sept. 2, 2021) ― The “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing” returns this Saturday, Sept. 4 on NBCSN from 6-7 p.m. ET from Saratoga Race Course with live coverage of the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) and the $600,000 Flower Bowl (G1).

Saturday’s program marks the fifth telecast this year in the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing” on NBC and NBCSN from some of North America’s most iconic racetracks. The series leads to the 38th Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, to be held Nov. 5-6 on NBC and NBCSN. The complete series TV schedule can be accessed here.

NBC Sports’ coverage will feature commentary and discussion from its International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn., led by host Britney Eurton, and analysts Randy Moss and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, who won 15 Breeders’ Cup races including five victories in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Reporter Laffit Pincay and handicapper Matt Bernier will be on-site at Saratoga.

The Jockey Club Gold Cup, which had been run at Belmont Park and Aqueduct Racetrack since 1919, and the Flower Bowl, which had been held at Belmont since 1978, will be run at historic Saratoga Race Course for the first time. The Jockey Club Gold Cup winner will gain an automatic berth into the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, and the winner of the Flower Bowl will earn a free berth into the $2 million Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

Run at 1 ¼ miles, the Jockey Club Gold Cup drew a six-horse field and is led by Wertheimer and Frere’s Happy Saver, who won his first five races before finishing third in the Suburban Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park in his last start on July 3. The 4-year-old son of Super Saver concluded a 4-for-4 first season of racing when he won the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont last year for trainer Todd Pletcher, who opted to bypass the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland and point to a 2021 campaign.

George Hall and SportBLX Thoroughbred Corp.’s Max Player upset Happy Saver in the Suburban and received a free berth into the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the 4-year-old Max Player, who ended a six-race losing streak in the Suburban, is 3-for-10 lifetime.

Don Alberto Stable’s Forza Di Oro, a winner four times in six starts, easily captured his lone start of the year in a local allowance optional claiming race on July 21 for trainer Bill Mott. A son of 2004 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Speightstown, Forza Di Oro won Aqueduct’s Discovery Stakes (G3) in November before going on an extended layoff. The Estate of James J. Coleman Jr.’s Chess Chief won the New Orleans Classic Stakes (G2) at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans in March for trainer Dallas Stewart.

The Flower Bowl, run at the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf distance of 1 3/8 miles, is headlined by George Krikorian’s War Like Goddess. The 4-year-old daughter of 2007 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner English Channel has won two straight graded stakes at 1 ½ miles for trainer Bill Mott, and also won the Orchid Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park in March at 1 3/8 miles. War Like Goddess is 5-for-6 lifetime and enters off an easy win in the Aug. 7 Glens Falls Stakes (G2) at Saratoga, in which she unleashed a devastating turn of foot that saw her go from last-to-first while looping the field through the far turn.

Trainer Chad Brown has won the Flower Bowl six times and will look to add to that mark with Peter Brant’s My Sister Nat (FR) and Alpha Delta Stables Great Island. My Sister Nat finished  second, defeated by a head, in the Flower Bowl last year before running ninth in the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Keeneland. Seeking her first win this year, My Sister Nat finished second in the Glens Falls. Great Island is two for three this year, winning the Grade 3 WinStar Matchmaker Stakes at Monmouth Park in her most recent start on July 17. Brant also has an international starter in the race with American Bridge (GB). Trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, American Bridge won the 1 1 /4-mile Premio del Giubileo (G3) by 2 ¼ lengths at Milan on June 27.

 

ABOUT NBC SPORTS GROUP

NBC Sports Group serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. The sports media company consists of NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, NBCSN, Golf Channel, Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports Audio Network and NBC Sports Digital, which includes NBCSports.com, NBCOlympics.com,GolfChannel.com, the digital assets of the NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports EDGE, the NBC Sports Talk franchise, multiple apps, and two transactional sports businesses, GolfNow and SportsEngine, and two direct-to-consumer products – NBC Sports Gold and GolfPass. NBC Sports Group possesses an unparalleled collection of media rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, NASCAR, INDYCAR, PGA TOUR, The R&A, PGA of America, USGA, Churchill Downs, Premier League, Tour de France, French Open, and many more.

 

ABOUT AMERICA’S BEST RACING

America’s Best Racing is a multimedia fan development and awareness-building platform, initiated by The Jockey Club, designed to increase the profile and visibility of North America’s best Thoroughbred racing events with a primary focus on the sport’s lifestyle and competition. You can follow America’s Best Racing at AmericasBestRacing.net as well as on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat.

 

ABOUT BREEDERS’ CUP

Breeders’ Cup Limited administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred horse racing’s year-end Championships, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The Breeders’ Cup is also a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, an organization composed of industry leaders committed to advancing safety measures in Thoroughbred racing and improving the well-being of equine and human athletes.

The 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 Championship races, is scheduled to be held on November 5-6 at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California. The event will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website, breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media.