33rd Breeders Cup Races

I haven't been following thoroughbred racing as closely as I have in years past - but this Friday and Saturday will be the 33rd annual Breeders Cup horse racing championships, held at Santa Anita.  (I misspoke in a previous blog, saying they were running at Old Del Mar.)  The first Breeders Cup races were run in 1984, and were meant as a showcase for nominated stallions.  They are now the richest horse races in the world, barring the Dubai Cup races, and the new Pegasus race, yet to be run.
   On Friday, four Breeders Cup races will be run, beginning at 2:25 p.m. (PDT) in California.  The four races have a combined purse of five million dollars; three for one million, and one for two million.  For more comprehensive information, visit  http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/breeders-cup , scroll down to Breeders Cup Divisions, and click on the race you're interested in....
   Friday's first race is the Juvenile Turf,  run at a distance of one mile on the grass, for two-year-old colts and geldings, with a purse of $1 million.  There are 16 entries.  There are 13 colts bred in Kentucky, 1 in Ontario, 1 in France, and 1 in Great Britain.
    The Dirt Mile is the second race, one mile in length on the main track, for horses aged 3 and up, either sex, with a purse of $1 million.  There are 9 entries; 7 bred in Kentucky, 1 in Texas, and 1 in Pennsylvania.
     The third Breeders Cup race is the Juvenile Fillies Turf, for two-year-old fillies, run at a mile on the grass, with a purse of $1 million.  There are 16 entries: 1 bred in Germany, 3 in France, 3 in Ireland, 1 in Florida, and 8 Kentucky breds.
     The Distaff is the final Friday Breeders Cup race.  It is run at 1 and 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the main track, for fillies and mares aged three and up, and has a purse of $2 million.  There are 8 entries:  1 bred in Argentina, 1 in Virginia, and 6 in Kentucky.

There are 9 Breeders Cup races on Saturday, with the first race beginning at 12:05 p.m. (PDT) at Santa Anita.  These 9 races have purses that total $21.5 million.
   The Juvenile Fillies is worth $2 million, is for 2-year-old fillies only, and is conducted at a distance of 1 and 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the main track.  There are 12 entries: 10 bred in Kentucky, 1 in Florida, and 1 in Maryland.
    The Fillies and Mares Turf  is for females only, aged three and up.  The race is 1 and 1/4 miles (10 furlongs) on the grass, and has a purse of $2 million.  There are 13 entries:  1 bred in Japan, 1 in China, 1 in France, 1 in Great Britain, 2 in Ireland, 1 in Pennsylvania, and 6 in Kentucky.
    The Sprint is 6 furlongs (3/4 mile) on the main track, has a purse of $1.5 million, and is open to 3-year-olds and up of either sex.  There are 9 entries: 6 bred in Kentucky, 1 in New York, 1 in Florida, and 1 in California.
    The Turf Sprint is for horses aged 3 and up, of either sex, at a distance of 6 1/2 furlongs (13/16 mile) on the grass, with a purse of $1 million.  There are 16 entries: 3 bred in Ireland, 1 in Great Britain, 1 in France, 1 in Ontario,1 in Florida, 1 in California, and 8 in Kentucky.
    The Juvenile Colts race is for 2-year-old colts and geldings, is worth $2 million in purse money, and is raced at a distance of 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the main track.  There are 11 entries: 8 bred in Kentucky, 1 in New York, 1 in Florida, and 1 in Great Britain.
    The Turf race is run at 1 1/2 miles (12 furlongs) on the grass, is for any horse aged 3 or older, and has a purse of $4 million.  There are 13 entries: 2 bred in Great Britain, 4 in Ireland, 2 in California, and 5 in Kentucky.
    The Fillies and Mares Sprint race is for female horses, ages 3 and up, has a purse worth $1 million, and covers 7 furlongs (7/8 mile) on the main track.  There are 13 entries, all North American: 1 bred in Ontario, 2 in Pennsylvania, 2 in New York, and 8 in Kentucky.
    The Mile is the penultimate Breeders Cup race.  The purse is $2 million, and the course is 1 mile, or 8 furlongs, on the turf.  It is open to any horse aged 3 and older.  There are 14 entries: 1 bred in France, 1 in Great Britain, 4 in Ireland, 1 in California, and 7 in Kentucky.
     The final, and richest race is the Classic.  The purse is $6 million, for any horse aged 3 or older, on the main track at a distance of 1 1/4 miles (10 furlongs).  There are 10 entries: 7 bred in Kentucky, 1 bred in Ontario, 1 in New York, and 1 in California.  California Chrome is returning to the race, and has morning line betting odds of 1 to 1.