(Edited Breeders’ Cup Press release)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For the first time in its history the Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be held at Churchill Downs, Inc (“CDI”) in consecutive years as officials from Breeders’ Cup Ltd, Churchill Downs and Commonwealth of Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear made the announcement at a news conference Friday morning at the racetrack.

NTRA release

The Breeders’ Cup and Churchill Downs Thursday announced that tickets for this year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Nov. 5-6, will go on sale at 12 p.m. (EST) Saturday, June 5. It is the first time that Churchill Downs will host the event under the two-day Championship format, which began in 2007.

(Breeders Cup release)
 
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Breeders’ Cup Board of Directors approved core components of the organization’s long-term strategic plan Friday at its December meeting in Lexington, Ky.

In addition, the board promoted Chief Financial Officer Matthew Lutz to the position of Chief Operating Officer/CFO and reviewed results of the 26th Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita. 

Total common-pool handle declines with two fewer races

(Breeders’ Cup release)

ARCADIA, Calif. – Attendance for Breeders’ Cup Championships was up 11 percent for the two-day event Friday and Saturday at Santa Anita Park. After a 20 percent increase in attendance on Friday, 58,845 were on hand today for the 10-race card that included eight Breeders’ Cup World Championship races, a 6 percent increase from the 2008 Saturday attendance of 55,351. Total attendance for the two days increased from 86,588…

Ron Correll
Senior columnist
Tracksideview.com

ARCADIA, Calif.  – The sun is up, but there’s a slight haze over the San Gabriel Mountains as they loom above Santa Anita Park Friday for the 2009 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. A high in the low 70s is forecast for the first day of horse racing biggest weekend.

 Tracksideview’s entire handicapping team is offering it’s picks for the two days of Breeders’ Cup races at Oak Tree at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.  These selections cover the first day on Saturday,  Nov. 7.

Tracksideview’s entire handicapping team is offering it’s picks for the two days of Breeders’ Cup races at Oak Tree at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.  These selections cover the first day on Friday,  Nov. 6.

(Edited Oak Tree at Santa Anita report)

ARCADIA, Calif. – Gates at Santa Anita open to the public at 9 a.m. Friday, and 8 a.m. Saturday, for the 26th Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

(Breeders’ Cup release)

ARCADIA, Calif. – Undefeated 5-year-old mare Zenyatta drew post position 4 for Saturday’s renewal of the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park as she bids for her 14th career victory facing 12 male rivals in the 1¼ miles test, including Kentucky Derby hero Mine That Bird, Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird and European star Rip Van Winkle (IRE).

Breeders’ Cup release

Breeders’ Cup Classic Post Position Draw Quotes

Jerry Moss (owner, Zenyatta, Classic, post 4): “I think she deserves the favoritism [morning-line favorite at 5-2]. She’s a super athlete.”

As to how the decision was made to run in the Classic rather than the Ladies’ Classic: “We all watched everything she did over time, watching works and studying her races. Then we got together Sunday night and said if there is the slightest doubt,…