breeders' set for qualification revamp

By Neil Morrice, PA Sport

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Qualifying procedures for the 2007 Breeders' Cup meeting are set for a major redevelopment as a set of qualifying races incorporating a 'win and you're in' proviso are to be introduced.

Six of America's premier racetracks will launch a total of 24 challenge races in what is seen as the most significant change in Breeders' Cup qualification since the event's inception in 1984.

Explaining the move, Bill Farish, Chairman of Breeders' Cup Limited, said: "The Breeders' Cup Challenge creates a framework that will strengthen mainstream understanding of the Breeders' Cup World Championships and its position as the most important and prestigious day of racing."

Saratoga (July 28), Arlington Park (August 11), Del Mar (August 19), Keeneland (October 6) and Santa Anita (October 7) will host the challenge races.

Contests staged on those cards have supplied between 40% and 50% of all Breeders Cup runners over the last five years, and trainer D Wayne Lukas has welcomed the new directive.

He said: "Awareness is the key word in this great development. We need to get a fan base that will follow us and come to this marquee event at the end of each year.

"While I'm a little concerned that if a horse wins a trial he might then back off and wait for the Cup, against that, Breeders' Cup races are so competitive that you'd think they will have to compete further on down the line."

Lukas also forwarded his own ideas of further potential development by adding: "I like the idea of 'win and you're in.'

"These horses will replace the seven highest points scorers and I'm all for a ruling where any horse which finishes first, second or third at the Breeders' Cup gains automatic qualification for the corresponding race the following year."