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SIX WEEKS TO THE “RUN FOR THE ROSES!” – KEY KENTUCKY DERBY PREP RACE, LOUISIANA DERBY, LIVE THIS SATURDAY AT 6 P.M. ET ON CNBC AND PEACOCK

March 22, 2023 By admin Leave a Comment

Hour-Long Coverage Also Features Kentucky Derby Prep Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) From Turfway Park and Kentucky Oaks Prep Fair Grounds Oaks (G2)

Hall of Famer and Two-Time Louisiana Derby Winner Jerry Bailey and Randy Moss Join Host Ahmed Fareed to Anchor Coverage

Louisiana Derby Marks First of Three Consecutive Saturday Afternoons with Kentucky Derby Prep Races Across NBC, CNBC and Peacock

STAMFORD, Conn. – March 22, 2023 – NBC Sports presents live coverage of the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2), a key prep race ahead of the 149th Kentucky Derby, this Saturday, March 25, live at 6 p.m. ET on CNBC and Peacock from Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, La. The hour-long program will also feature the $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) from Turfway Park in Florence, Ky., and the $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) from Fair Grounds Race Course.

Two-time graded stakes winner Instant Coffee is the morning-line favorite in the Louisiana Derby and currently sits ninth in the Road to the Kentucky Derby standings. 2022 Iroquois Stakes (G3) winner Curly Jack and Sun Thunder are also expected to be contenders in the 1 3/16-mile race.

Six weeks ahead of the running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 6, the Louisiana Derby and Jeff Ruby Steaks will both award a total of 200 Kentucky Derby qualification points, with 100 going to the winners of each race. The Fair Grounds Oaks will also award 200 Kentucky Oaks qualification points with the winner of the race earning 100 points.

Ahmed Fareed hosts Saturday’s coverage alongside analysts Jerry Bailey, the Hall of Fame jockey who has twice won the Louisiana Derby, and Randy Moss.

The Louisiana Derby begins three consecutive Saturday afternoons with Kentucky Derby prep races coverage across NBC, CNBC and Peacock, continuing with the Florida Derby (G1) on April 1, and the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) and Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 8.

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will stream live coverage to desktops, mobile, tablets, and connected TVs via authentication, 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.

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 Championship Invitational Series.

–NBC SPORTS–

Filed Under: Horse Racing, NBC, Uncategorized

NBC SPORTS CONTINUES COVERAGE OF HORSE RACING’S 1/ST RACING TOUR FROM GULFSTREAM PARK AND SANTA ANITA PARK THIS SATURDAY LIVE AT 4 P.M. ET ON CNBC AND PEACOCK

March 2, 2023 By admin

Coverage Features Seven Live Races Headlined by Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) and San Felipe Stakes (G2)

Ahmed Fareed to Anchor Saturday’s Coverage with Jerry Bailey, Randy Moss, Britney Eurton, and Nick Luck

STAMFORD, Conn. – March 2, 2023 – NBC Sports presents continuing coverage of the 1/ST RACING TOUR this Saturday, March 4, live at 4 p.m. ET on CNBC and Peacock. The two-hour program, featuring seven live races, will be headlined by the $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) from 1/ST’s Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., and the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes (G2) from 1/ST’s Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.

2022 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Forte is the morning-line favorite in the Fountain of Youth Stakes and currently sits third in the Road to the Kentucky Derby standings. National Treasure, who finished third in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, is expected to headline the San Felipe Stakes field.

The Fountain of Youth Stakes and San Felipe Stakes will both award a total of 100 Kentucky Derby qualification points, with 50 going to the winners of each race.

The additional stakes races that will be presented live on CNBC and Peacock are the Honey Fox Stakes (G3), Davona Dale Stakes (G2), and Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2) from Gulfstream Park as well as the Buena Vista Stakes (G2) from Santa Anita Park. An allowance race from Santa Anita will also air live during Saturday’s coverage.

Ahmed Fareed hosts Saturday’s coverage alongside analyst and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, analyst Randy Moss, and reporters Britney Eurton and Nick Luck. Eurton will report on-site from Santa Anita and Luck will report on-site from Gulfstream.

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will stream live coverage to desktops, mobile, tablets, and connected TVs via authentication, 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.

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 Championship Invitational Series.

ABOUT THE STRONACH GROUP & 1/ST 

The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core.  The company’s consumer facing brand 1/ST (pronounced “First”) powers The Stronach Group’s forward-thinking 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY, 1/ST EXPERIENCE, and 1/ST PROPERTIES businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred horse racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class horse racing operations and gaming offerings at the company’s premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series, Gulfstream Park West and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course – home of the legendary Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is horse racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. 1/ST PROPERTIES is responsible for the development of the company’s live, work and play communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred horse racing on and off the track. For more information, please email david.joseph@gulfstreampark.com, visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.

–NBC SPORTS–

Filed Under: Horse Racing, NBC, Uncategorized

NBC SPORTS PRESENTS HORSE RACING’S 1/ST RACING TOUR THIS SAT., LIVE AT 4 P.M. ET ON CNBC AND PEACOCK

February 2, 2023 By admin

NBC Sports’ Horse Racing Coverage from Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park Headlined by Holy Bull Stakes (G3) and Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3)

Ahmed Fareed to Anchor Saturday’s 1/ST RACING TOUR Coverage with Jerry Bailey, Randy Moss, Britney Eurton, and Matt Bernier

STAMFORD, Conn. – Feb. 2, 2023 – NBC Sports presents continuing coverage of the 1/ST RACING TOUR this Saturday, Feb. 4, live at 4 p.m. ET on CNBC and Peacock. The two-hour program, featuring five live stakes races, will be headlined by the $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) from 1/ST’s Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., and the $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) from Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.

The Holy Bull Stakes and Robert B. Lewis Stakes are both Kentucky Derby prep races and the Holy Bull Stakes will award a total of 40 Kentucky Derby qualification points, with 20 going to the winner of the race. The additional Grade 3 stakes races that will be presented live on CNBC and Peacock are the Sweetest Chant and Forward Gal Stakes from Gulfstream Park and the Megahertz Stakes from Santa Anita Park.

Ahmed Fareed hosts Saturday’s coverage alongside analyst and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, analyst Randy Moss, reporter Britney Eurton, and handicapper Matt Bernier. Eurton will report on-site from Santa Anita and Bernier will provide handicapping analysis on-site from Gulfstream.

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will stream live coverage to desktops, mobile, tablets, and connected TVs via authentication, 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.

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 Championship Invitational Series.

ABOUT THE STRONACH GROUP & 1/ST 

The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core.  The company’s consumer facing brand 1/ST (pronounced “First”) powers The Stronach Group’s forward-thinking 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY, 1/ST EXPERIENCE, and 1/ST PROPERTIES businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred horse racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class horse racing operations and gaming offerings at the company’s premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series, Gulfstream Park West and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course – home of the legendary Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is horse racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. 1/ST PROPERTIES is responsible for the development of the company’s live, work and play communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland).  As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred horse racing on and off the track. For more information, please email david.joseph@gulfstreampark.com, visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.

–NBC SPORTS–

Filed Under: Horse Racing, NBC, Uncategorized

NBC SPORTS’ 2023 HORSE RACING COVERAGE BEGINS WITH $4.5 MILLION PEGASUS WORLD CUP SERIES THIS SATURDAY LIVE AT 4:30 P.M. ET ON NBC AND PEACOCK

January 26, 2023 By admin

90-Minute Broadcast to Feature $3 Million Pegasus World Cup (G1) and $1 Million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1)

Ahmed Fareed to Anchor Coverage with Jerry Bailey, Randy Moss, Britney Eurton, Matt Bernier, and Nick Luck

Program to Feature Live Performance by Kygo and OneRepublic

STAMFORD, Conn. – Jan. 26, 2023 – NBC Sports begins its 2023 horse racing coverage with the first major event of the year, the $4.5 million Pegasus World Cup Series, from Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., this Saturday, Jan. 28, live at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. In its seventh year, the Pegasus World Cup Series includes the $3 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) and the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1).

The 2023 Pegasus World Cup field features multiple Grade 1-winner and 2022 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) second-place finisher Cyberknife, who is the morning-line favorite at 5/2. Also expected to compete in the 12-horse field at 1 1/8-miles on the dirt are 2022 Florida Derby (G1) champion White Abarrio and 2022 Awesome Again (G1) winner Defunded, who is trained by two-time Pegasus World Cup champion Bob Baffert.

The 12-horse field of this year’s Pegasus World Cup Turf includes 2022 Fort Lauderdale (G2) winner City Man, 2022 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) fourth-place finisher and 5/2 morning-line favorite Ivar, and 2022 Hollywood Derby (G1) champion Speaking Scout.

Ahmed Fareed hosts Saturday’s coverage alongside analyst and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, analyst Randy Moss, reporters Britney Eurton and Nick Luck, and handicapper Matt Bernier.

NBC Sports will also present highlights of the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (G3) during the 90-minute program, which will be run earlier in the day on Saturday. In addition to world class racing, the Pegasus World Cup is a special race day that combines the fusion of celebrity attendees, fashion, and entertainment. This year’s event includes a live performance featuring musical artists Kygo and OneRepublic. Joe Jonas will give the ‘Riders Up’ command.

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will stream live coverage to desktops, mobile, tablets, and connected TVs via authentication, 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.

 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 Championship Invitational Series.

ABOUT THE STRONACH GROUP & 1/ST 

The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core.  The company’s consumer facing brand 1/ST (pronounced “First”) powers The Stronach Group’s forward-thinking 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY, 1/ST EXPERIENCE, and 1/ST PROPERTIES businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred horse racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class horse racing operations and gaming offerings at the company’s premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series, Gulfstream Park West and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course – home of the legendary Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is horse racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. 1/ST PROPERTIES is responsible for the development of the company’s live, work and play communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland).  As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred horse racing on and off the track. For more information, please email david.joseph@gulfstreampark.com, visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.

–NBC SPORTS–

Filed Under: Horse Racing, NBC, Pegasus, Uncategorized

FLIGHTLINE, EPICENTER AND KENTUCKY DERBY WINNER RICH STRIKE HEADLINE $6 MILLION BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC THIS SATURDAY AT 3:30 P.M. ET ON NBC AND PEACOCK

November 1, 2022 By admin

NBC Sports and Peacock Present Nine Hours of Live Coverage of the 2022 Breeders’ Cup World Championships from Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky

Live Coverage of the Richest Two Days in Horse Racing Begins This Friday at 2 p.m. ET on USA Network & Saturday at 1 p.m. ET on USA Network; Saturday Coverage on NBC and Peacock Begins at 3:30 p.m. ET

STAMFORD, Conn. – Nov. 1, 2022 – NBC Sports and Peacock present nine hours of live coverage of the 2022 Breeders’ Cup World Championships this weekend — the richest two days in horse racing — with a total of $31 million in prize money at stake in 14 races. Headlining the weekend’s coverage is the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock live from Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky.

Highlighting Saturday’s star-studded Breeders’ Cup Classic field is:

  • Flightline: undefeated in five starts by a combined margin of 62 ¾ lengths, including a 19 ¼ length victory in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic, his most recent race;
  • Epicenter: runner-up in the first two legs of this year’s Triple Crown who won the Grade 1 Travers in his most recent race and has finished second-or-better in every race since his debut 10 starts ago;
  • Rich Strike: this year’s 80-1 longshot Kentucky Derby winner who is trained by Eric Reed and ridden by jockey Sonny Leon;
  • Taiba: three-year-old who is a two-time Grade 1 winner and is trained by four-time Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Bob Baffert;
  • Life is Good: four-time Grade 1 winner who was victorious in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

Live racing coverage of the 39th Breeders’ Cup World Championships begins this Friday featuring the Juveniles in action at 2 p.m. ET on USA Network. Five hours of live coverage on Saturday begins at 1 p.m. ET on USA Network and continues on NBC and Peacock at 3:30 p.m. ET. The Breeders’ Cup Classic has a post time of 5:40 p.m. ET. In addition to the Classic, the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (3:55 p.m. ET post time) and Breeders’ Cup Turf (4:40 p.m. ET post time) will be presented live Saturday on NBC and Peacock.

COMMENTATORS: Ahmed Fareed hosts coverage on Friday and Saturday alongside analyst and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, who owns 15 Breeders’ Cup wins; analyst Randy Moss; reporters Britney Eurton, Kenny Rice, and Nick Luck; handicappers Eddie Olczyk and Matt Bernier; insights analyst Steve Kornacki; and Donna Brothers, who will report on horseback. Larry Collmus will call all of the Breeders’ Cup races.

NBC Sports’ handicapping “Betting the Breeders’ Cup” series previewing each of the 14 World Championship races will be presented across NBC Sports digital platforms beginning on Thursday. Eurton, Luck, Olczyk, Bernier, and Kornacki will be featured in the digital series.

NBC Sports’ weekend presentation will also feature:

  • Breeders’ Cup “Contender Cam” footage. Each Breeders’ Cup horse will have a camera following them from the paddock out onto the track to allow viewers unique, one-of-a-kind access. Comprehensive coverage will be available to stream here
  • A pair of jockey cam systems with audio
  • A megalodon camera to share live-action footage of the fashion and flavors surrounding the Breeders’ Cup World Championships
  • An outrider camera capturing intimate moments with the winning jockey immediately following races
  • Backstretch cam on the Keeneland track
  • An essay narrated by Tim Layden on the uniqueness surrounding Flightline and his relatively unheralded historic success throughout 2022
  • A feature on Dirt Mile morning-line favorite Cody’s Wish and the story between human and horse connections
  • Britney Eurton interviewing Lisa Lazarus, the CEO of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority
  • Celebrities making their Breeders’ Cup Classic picks
  • Access to approximately 75 video sources, including cameras and feeds

NBC Sports’ coverage of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships is produced by Lindsay Schanzer on Saturday, Billy Matthews on Friday, and directed by Kaare Numme. Executive producer and president, NBC Sports Production is Sam Flood.

Date Event Platform Time (ET)
Fri., Nov. 4 Breeders’ Cup World Championships USA Network 2 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 5 Breeders’ Cup World Championships USA Network 1 p.m.
  Breeders’ Cup Classic NBC, Peacock 3:30 p.m.


The Breeders’ Cup Classic is part of NBCUniversal’s “Big Event Weekend” featuring numerous high-profile events across NBC and Peacock this Saturday and Sunday (programming details below). For more on “Big Event Weekend,” click here.

Date Event Platform Time (ET)
Sat., Nov. 5 Breeders’ Cup Classic NBC, Peacock 3:30 p.m.
  No. 5 Clemson vs. Notre Dame NBC, Peacock 7:30 p.m.
  Saturday Night Live NBC, Peacock 11:30 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 6 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race NBC, Peacock 3 p.m.
  Sunday Night Football: Titans vs. Chiefs NBC, Peacock 8:20 p.m.

BREEDERS’ CUP COVERAGE ON NBCSPORTS.COM & THE NBC SPORTS APP
NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will stream live coverage to desktops, mobile, tablets, and connected TVs via authentication, 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.

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. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website, breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media.

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.

 –NBC SPORTS–

Filed Under: Breeder's Cup, Horse Racing, NBC, Uncategorized

BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE SERIES RACES FROM KEENELAND HEADLINE NBC SPORTS’ LIVE HORSE RACING COVERAGE THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AT 5 P.M. ET ON CNBC

October 7, 2022 By admin

Pair of One-Hour Programs on CNBC to be Headlined by the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Win and You’re In Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) on Saturday and Juddmonte Spinster (G1) on Sunday

STAMFORD, Conn. – Oct. 7, 2022 – Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., hosts two days of Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Win and You’re In live horse racing coverage this weekend, headlined by the $1 million Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) on Saturday and $600,000 Juddmonte Spinster (G1) on Sunday, at 5 p.m. ET both days on CNBC. Keeneland will also serve as host of the 39th Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Nov. 4-5 presented across NBC Sports.

Saturday and Sunday’s coverage on CNBC mark the final two programs in this year’s “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 complete series TV schedule can be accessed here and the NBC Sports programming schedule can be found here.

NBC Sports’ coverage will be led by host Ahmed Fareed, analyst Randy Moss, handicapper Matt Bernier, and reporters Britney Eurton and Nick Luck.

Godolphin’s 4-year-old Santin leads the 12-horse field with four also-eligibles in the Coolmore Turf Mile, which gives the winner a free berth into the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). Trained by Brendan Walsh, Santin has won two Grade 1 stakes races this year, taking the Old Forester Turf Classic in May at Churchill Downs, and after a sixth-place finish in the Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park in June, came back to win the Arlington Million at Churchill on Aug. 13. Tyler Gaffalione has the mount, breaking from post 7. The Bill Mott-trained Casa Creed has earned invitations into two World Championships races this year. Owned by LRE Racing LLC and JEH Racing Stable LLC, Casa Creed gained a free berth into the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) when he captured the 6-furlong Jaipur Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park in June and then won the 1-mile Fourstardave Handicap (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 13 and gained an automatic starting position into the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile. Casa Creed will be ridden by Luis Saez from post nine.

From California, Cannon Thoroughbreds’ 5-year-old Smooth Like Strait led last year’s FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar until the final furlong before being overtaken by Modern Games (IRE) and finished a half-length behind in second. Trained by Michael McCarthy, Smooth Like Strait was second to Santin in the Arlington Million. John Velazquez rides Smooth Like Straight from post two.

Returning from Ireland to the scene of his greatest win is the Aidan O’Brien-trained Order of Australia (IRE), who came off the also-eligible list before the 2020 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Keeneland and won it by a neck at odds of 73-1. Owned by Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Anne-Marie O’Brien, Order of Australia captured this year’s Romanised Minstrel Stakes (G2) at The Curragh in Ireland on July 17. Christophe Soumillon has the mount, breaking from post three.

One race prior to the Coolmore Turf Mile, a Win and You’re In berth in the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1) will be up for grabs in the $600,000 Keeneland Breeders’ Futurity (G1) for 2-year-olds. A full field of 14 plus two also-eligibles has been entered, led by 3-1 morning line favorite Forte. Owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable, Forte won the Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on Sept. 5, splashing home in the mud to a 3-length victory under Irad Ortiz Jr., who retains the mount, breaking from post seven.

Two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox won the Breeders’ Futurity and the TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in 2020 with Essential Quality, one of five horses to capture both races. On Saturday, Cox sends out impressive maiden winner Loggins for Spendthrift Farm LLC, Steve Landers Racing LLC, Martin Schwartz, Michael Dubb, Ten Strike Racing, Jim Bakke, Titletown Racing Stables, Kueber Racing, Big Easy Racing, and Winners Win. On Sept. 17 at Churchill Downs, Loggins won a 6 ½-furlong maiden special weight by a widening 8 ½ lengths. Florent Geroux has the mount, breaking from post two.

Sunday’s $600,000 Juddmonte Spinster for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles, gives the winner a free starting position into the $2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). St. George Stable’s Letruska won last year’s Spinster before finishing a disappointing 10th in the Distaff at Del Mar. Still, she had a marvelous season of six wins, four of them Grade 1 scores, which lifted her to the Older Dirt Female Eclipse Award. Trained by Fausto Gutierrez, the 6-year-old Letruska has two wins in four starts this year, including the Grade 1 Apple Blossom in April at Oaklawn Park. Letruska will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione from post 3.

Shadwell Stable’s Malathaat, trained by Todd Pletcher, won last year’s Central Bank Ashland at Keeneland (G1), the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1), and the Alabama Stakes (G1) to propel her to the 3-year-old filly Championship. This year, the daughter of 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Curlin has won the Baird Doubledogdare Stakes (G3) at Keeneland’s spring meeting, and most recently, the Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 27. John Velazquez will ride Malathaat, breaking from post one.

The $350,000 Bourbon Stakes (G2), for 2-year-olds on the grass course, precedes the Spinster. The winner receives an invitation to the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1). The field of 12 and four also-eligibles is led by Breeze Easy and John Oxley’s Boppy O. Trained by Mark Casse, Boppy O started twice in dirt races before making his turf debut in the With Anticipation Stakes (G3) at Saratoga on Aug. 31, and won it by a neck at 23-1. The Florida-bred son of Bolt d’Oro will be ridden from post six by Dylan Davis.

Reckoning Force, owned by Fergus Galvin, Marc Detampel, and Magnolia Racing Syndicate, and trained by Brendan Walsh, broke his maiden in his fourth start, winning the listed Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile Stakes on Sept. 14. Joel Rosario will ride, breaking from post three. The Steve Asmussen-trained Gigante is also a stakes winner. Owned by Iapetus Racing and Diamond T Racing, Gigante won the black-type Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Kitten’s Joy Stakes at Colonial Downs on Sept. 6 by 6 ¾ lengths. Vincent Cheminaud has the mount on Gigante, starting from post nine.

As part of the benefits, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for all Challenge Series winners 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.

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–

Filed Under: Breeder's Cup, Horse Racing, NBC, Uncategorized

TWO BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE SERIES RACES HEADLINE NBC SPORTS’ LIVE COVERAGE FROM AQUEDUCT RACETRACK THIS SATURDAY AT 4 P.M. ET ON NBC AND PEACOCK

September 29, 2022 By admin

Two-Hour Broadcast to Feature Four Races, Including the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Win and You’re In Champagne (G1) and Miss Grillo (G2)

STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 29, 2022 – Two-year-olds take center stage in the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Win and You’re In $500,000 Champagne (G1) and $200,000 Miss Grillo (G2) this Saturday headlining NBC Sports’ live horse racing coverage from Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, N.Y., live on NBC and Peacock at 4 p.m. ET.

The two-hour broadcast, also featuring the $500,000 Woodward (G1) and $200,000 Belmont Turf Sprint (G3), is the seventh 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 39th 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.

NBC Sports’ coverage will be 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 Breeders’ Cup Classic, and reporters Britney Eurton and Nick Luck.

Breeders’ Cup champion Life Is Good, owned by CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm, and trained by seven-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher, will be the prohibitive favorite in the 1 1/8-mile Woodward on the strength of his previous Grade 1 victories this year in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park, and in the Whitney Stakes at Saratoga, in which he earned an automatic berth into the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). An eight-time winner in 10 starts, the four-year-old son of Tapit captured last year’s Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Del Mar. Pletcher is also starting Cypress Creek Equine, Arnold Bennewith, and Spendthrift Farm’s 4-year-old Keepmeinmind, who finished fifth in The Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga on Sept. 3.

Informative, a five-year-old owned and trained by Uriah St. Lewis, comes into the race after a hard-fought 1 ½-length win in the Philip H. Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park (G3) on Aug. 30. Twin Creeks Racing Stables LLC’s Law Professor also comes into the Woodward off a victory. Trained by Rob Atras, the four-year-old Law Professor won the listed FanDuel Tapit Stakes at Kentucky Downs on turf on Sept. 1.

The 1-mile Champagne Stakes for two-year-olds will give the winner a free berth into the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). The Brad Cox-trained Verifying figures to draw great interest after an impressive, frontrunning 6-furlong maiden special weight victory at Saratoga on Aug. 27 for owners Jonathan Poulin, Westerberg, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael Tabor. Mr. Amore Stables’ Andiamo a Firenze has won two of three starts for trainer Kelly Breen. In his previous race, Andiamo a Firenze captured the black type, 6 ½-furlong Funny Cide Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 26 by 5 ½ lengths over a muddy track.

William and Corinne Heiligbrodt, Jackpot Farm, Whispering Oaks Farm LLC, and Coolmore Stud’s Gulfport finished second in the 7-furlong Hopeful Stakes (G1) over a sloppy track at Saratoga on Sept. 5 as the even-money favorite. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Gulfport, a son of 2010 Champagne Stakes (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Uncle Mo, has won two of his four starts including the listed Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs in July.

Michael J. Ryan’s Be Your Best (IRE) leads the field of two-year-old fillies in the Miss Grillo Stakes on turf, which gives the winner an invitation to the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1). Unbeaten in two starts at Saratoga, Be Your Best, trained by Horacio De Paz, captured the listed, 1 1/16-mile P.G. Johnson Stakes on Sept. 1 by a widening 3 ¾ lengths as the 7-5 favorite.  Trainer Chad Brown has saddled seven winners of the Miss Grillo, and three of those winners — Maram, New Money Honey, and Newspaperofrecord (IRE) — went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. This year, Brown has entered Klaravich Stables’ Free Look, who finished third behind Be Your Best on debut in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Saratoga on July 31. Free Look broke her maiden at 1 1/16 miles at Saratoga in her next start on Sept. 4.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for the winners of the Champagne and the Miss Grillo 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.

Trainer David Donk has entered two runners for the 6-furlong Belmont Turf Sprint in Thin White Duke and Yes and Yes. Owned by Phil Gleaves, Steven Crist, Ken deRegt, and Bryan Hilliard, Thin White Duke won the listed 5 ½-furlong Lucky Coin Stakes by a nose on Sept. 2 at Saratoga. Gleaves, Joseph R. Strauss, and Hugh Fitzsimmons’ Yes and Yes finished third, but was moved up to second due to interference by the runner-up in the black type 5 ½-furlong Woodford Reserve Da Hoss Stakes at Colonial Downs on Sept. 6.

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–

Filed Under: Breeder's Cup, Horse Racing, NBC, Uncategorized

NBC SPORTS PRESENTS TWO BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE SERIES RACES THIS SATURDAY FROM KENTUCKY DOWNS LIVE AT 5 P.M. ET ON CNBC

September 9, 2022 By admin

Hour-Long Program to Feature the Kentucky Turf Cup (G2) and FanDuel Turf Sprint (G2)

STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 9, 2022 – The $1 million Kentucky Turf Cup (G2) and $1 million FanDuel Turf Sprint (G2) headline NBC Sports’ Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series coverage this Saturday at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Ky., live on CNBC at 5 p.m. ET.

The hour-long telecast is the sixth 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 39th 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.

NBC Sports’ coverage will be led by host Ahmed Fareed, analyst and handicapper Matt Bernier, and reporter Nick Luck.

The remarkable 8-year-old Arklow, who has earned more than $3 million in career earnings, will be running in his fifth consecutive Kentucky Turf Cup, which gives the winner an automatic starting position into the $4 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). Owned by Donegal Racing and Joseph Bulger, and trained by Brad Cox, Arklow won the 1 ½-mile Turf Cup in 2018 and in 2020 and finished second in 2019 and in 2021. Arklow has run in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf three times, with his best finish being a fourth-place effort in 2018. He made his 2022 debut in the Bowling Green Stakes (G2) at Saratoga on July 31, finishing second, a half-length behind Rockemperor (IRE).

Otter Bend Stable’s Gufo, the 7-5 morning line favorite, earned a free berth into the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf when he captured the Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, coming from seventh place at the top of the stretch to win by a half-length. Trained by Christophe Clement, Gufo has won nine races in 19 starts, including this year’s Pan American Stakes presented by Rood & Riddle (G2) at Gulfstream Park. Another veteran in the field is Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher’s 6-year-old gelding Temple. Trained by Mike Maker, Temple finished third, less than a length behind the winner, in the 1 3/8-mile United Nations Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park on July 23. In March, Temple won his seventh career race, taking the Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park. Maker is also starting Trinity Farm’s 6-year-old New York-bred gelding Red Knight, who won his 2022 debut after an 11-month layoff, capturing the black type 1 ½-mile Colonial Downs Stakes on July 27.

The 6-furlong FanDuel Turf Sprint, which will be run prior to the Turf Cup, drew a full field of 12 starters and three also-eligibles. The race winner will receive an invitation into the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1). Trainer Wesley Ward, who won last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint with Golden Pal, is saddling Lael Stables’ 4-year-old Arrest Me Red, the 9-5 morning line favorite. A six-time winner in 10 starts, Arrest Me Red took the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) in May at Churchill Downs and finished second by a half-length to Casa Creed in the Jaipur Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park on June 11, which was also a Win and You’re In for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

The well-traveled Sonata Stable’s 4-year-old Arzak, who has raced at 11 tracks, will be making his Kentucky Downs debut on Saturday. Trained by Michael Trombetta, Arzak has won two of four starts this year, both at Woodbine in Canada, taking the black type Thornhill Stakes and the Grade 3 Jacques Cartier Stakes. He comes into the race off a fourth-place finish in the Troy Stakes (G3) at Saratoga on Aug. 5, less than a length behind winner Golden Pal.

Pantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable, and Jerry Zaro’s 7-year-old gelding Chewing Gum started the year off right with a victory on Jan. 1 in the Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park for trainer Bill Mott. He did not race again until July 23 in the Connaught Cup Stakes (G2) at Woodbine, where he finished fourth.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for the winners of the Kentucky Turf Cup and the FanDuel Turf Sprint 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.

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–

Filed Under: Breeder's Cup, Horse Racing, NBC, Uncategorized

BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE SERIES CONTINUES AT HISTORIC SARATOGA RACE COURSE THIS SATURDAY WITH JOCKEY CLUB GOLD CUP LIVE AT 4:30 P.M. ET ON NBC & PEACOCK

September 1, 2022 By admin

Live 90-Minute Program to Also Feature the Flower Bowl (G2)

STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 1, 2022 – Suburban Stakes (G2) winner Dynamic One headlines the 1 1/4-mile, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at historic Saratoga Race Course, as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series continues this Saturday live on NBC and Peacock at 4:30 p.m. ET, with automatic starting position into the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on the line.

The Jockey Club Gold Cup broadcast is the fifth 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 39th 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 90-minute program will also include coverage of the $600,000 Flower Bowl Stakes (G2), which will provide the winner an automatic berth into the $2 million Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1).

NBC Sports’ coverage will feature commentary and discussion led by 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 Kenny Rice, and handicapper Matt Bernier.

Dynamic One, a 4-year-old colt owned by Repole Stable, Phipps Stable, and St. Elias Stable, has won his last two starts. He captured the 1 1/8-mile listed Blame Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 4. He started next in the 1 1/4-mile Suburban at Belmont Park on July 9, and in a furious stretch drive defeated First Captain by a nose, with stablemate Untreated finishing three-quarters of a length back in third.

Commenting on the improvement of Dynamic One, trainer Todd Pletcher said: “He’s made steady progress throughout this year. I think each race has been better than the previous one, culminating with a win in the Suburban. We’ve been pointing for The Jockey Club since then and has had a good schedule. The horse has trained well and we’re happy with the way he’s coming into the race.”

Pletcher’s Grade 1-winning starter in the Gold Cup is CHC Inc and WinStar Farm LLC’s 4-year-old Americanrevolution, who won last year’s Cigar Mile (G1) at Aqueduct. This year, the son of Constitution finished fourth in the Blame Stakes and was second to Olympiad in the Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs on July 2.

The fourth Pletcher starter is Cypress Creek Equine, Arnold Bennewith, and Spendthrift Farm LLC’s 4-year-old Keepmeinmind, who returned from an 11-month layoff and won his first race for the seven-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer, taking a 1 1/8-mile allowance race by 2 ¾ lengths at Saratoga on July 22. Keepmeinmind finished second by a half-length to eventual 3-year-old champion Essential Quality in last year’s Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga.

Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey has four career Jockey Club Gold Cup winners. On Saturday, he sends out West Point Thoroughbreds, Siena Farm LLC, Bobby Flay, and Woodford Racing, LLC’s First Captain, who has two wins in four starts this year. Prior to his second-place finish in the Suburban, First Captain, a son of 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Curlin, captured the 1 3/16-mile Pimlico Special (G3) at Pimlico Race Course on May 20.

Olympiad, trained by Bill Mott, earned an automatic berth in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic when he won the Stephen Foster Stakes, which was his fifth consecutive win of the year. Owned by Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stable LLC, and LNJ Foxwoods, Olympiad’s winning streak ended when he finished fourth in the Whitney Stakes on Aug. 6.

In the 1 3/16-mile Flower Bowl, George Krikorian’s five-year-old mare War Like Goddess will be a prohibitive favorite against six rivals. The defending Flower Bowl champion, War Like Goddess has won both her starts this year for trainer Bill Mott, taking the Bewitch Stakes (G3) at Keeneland in April and the Glens Falls Stakes (G2) at Saratoga on Aug. 6. Peter Brant’s Virginia Joy (GER), won the Sheepshead Bay Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park in May, and finished third in the Glens Falls for trainer Chad Brown.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for the winners of The Jockey Club Gold Cup winner and The Flower Bowl 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.

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–

Filed Under: Breeder's Cup, Horse Racing, NBC, Uncategorized

BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE SERIES CONTINUES FROM HISTORIC SARATOGA RACE COURSE THIS SATURDAY WITH WHITNEY STAKES LIVE AT 5 P.M. ET ON NBC & PEACOCK

August 4, 2022 By admin

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 39th 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–

Filed Under: Breeder's Cup, Horse Racing, NBC, Uncategorized

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