In 2007, the Breeders' Cup will launch the "Breeders' Cup Challenge", a new way to guarantee entry into the Breeders' Cup to be run at Monmouth Park in New Jersey. The 24-race schedule, to be contested at 6 different racetracks, will be televised on ESPN and ABC, and winners of these races will be guaranteed a spot in their respective Breeders' Cup field. Previously, seven spots in the field were decided by points earned in American graded stakes races and the remaining seven were decided by an international committee of racing experts. Under the new system, seven spots will still be decided by committee but the number of horses who get in on points will be reduced by the number of horses who get in via the Challenge races. Interestingly, there are no Challenge races in the Juvenile Fillies division.
Breeders' Cup CEO Greg Avioli said that there would be some possible tweaking to the new program but it will be finalized at a meeting to be held in January. He added, "We have been working with our partners at ESPN throughout the past year to develop innovative ways to showcase the Breeders' Cup as the most important day of racing in the world. Breeders' Cup Challenge will enhance our television presentation, broaden media coverage and extend the Breeders' Cup brand to many of the most prestigious races in our sport leading to the Championships." Craig Fravel, executive VP of Del Mar and the Chairman of the NTRA said, "We look forward to being part of the inaugural Breeders' Cup Challenge. We believe the Win and You're In concept will resonate with racing fans and that our marquee events will have a higher profile as a result of our participation."
The races will be as follows, with the corresponding Breeders' Cup races following in parentheses:
- Saratoga Race Course, July 28, ABC, 4-6pm (all times Eastern)
- Whitney Handicap (Classic)
- Go For Wand Stakes (Distaff)
- Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (Sprint)
- Diana Handicap (Filly and Mare Turf)
- Arlington Park, August 11, ESPN, 4-6pm
- Arlington Million (Turf)
- Secretariat Stakes (Turf)
- Beverly D. Stakes (Filly and Mare Turf)
- Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, August 19, ESPN2, 7-8pm
- Pacific Classic (Classic)
- Pat O'Brien Handicap (Sprint)
- Del Mar Mile (Mile)
- Belmont Park, September 30, ESPN, 4-6pm
- Jockey Club Gold Cup (Classic)
- Goodwood Handicap (from Oak Tree) (Classic)
- Beldame Stakes (Distaff)
- Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (Turf)
- Vosburgh Stakes (Sprint)
- Keeneland Race Course, October 6, ESPN, 4-6pm
- First Lady Stakes (Filly and Mare Turf)
- Shadwell Turf Mile (Mile)
- Lane's End Breeders' Futurity (Juvenile)
- Champagne Stakes (from Belmont) (Juvenile)
- Phoenix Stakes (Sprint)
- Oak Tree at Santa Anita, October 7, ESPN2, 5-7pm
- Ancient Title Handicap (Sprint)
- Lady's Secret Handicap (Distaff)
- Oak Tree Mile (Mile)
