2015 Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series

Keeneland will host the 2015 Breeders' Cup on October 30 and 31 (Photo courtesy of BreedersCup.com)
Keeneland will host the 2015 Breeders’ Cup on October 30 and 31 (Photo courtesy of BreedersCup.com)

2015 Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series

The 2015 Breeders’ Cup will be held at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Kentucky on October 30 and October 31.

Prior to the Breeders’ Cup, there is a chance for horses to earn their spot to participate at the Thoroughbred World Championship via the Breeders’ Cup Challenge.

The Breeders’ Cup Challenge is a series of 78 races that allow horses to clinch a spot in one of the Breeders’  Cup races.

From the Breeders’ Cup Challenge release, “Breeders’ Cup will provide travel allowances to all starters outside of Kentucky for this year’s Championships including Challenge race winners. Breeders’ Cup will provide a $40,000 travel stipend to the connections of each Challenge winner from outside of North America and in North America, a $10,000 travel allowance for winners stabled outside of Kentucky. The Challenge winner must already be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program or it must be done by the Championships’ pre-entry deadline of October 19 to receive the rewards.”

Some of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge races will be televised as well. The entire television schedule can be found here, but some of the highlights are the Sword Dancer Invitational and Travers Stakes from Saratoga on August 29, the Spinaway Stakes and Woodward Handicap a week later (9/5) from Saratoga. In addition, there will be 5 races televised from Belmont Park and Keeneland on October 3 and October 4.

Below is table of each race with the date, track (location in parentheses), grade/group status, age and sex restrictions, the division (i.e. Mile, Classic, etc.) and the winner of the race.

DateTrack (Country)RaceGrade/GroupDistanceAgeSexDivisionWinnerPreviewRecap
1/10/2015Kenilworth (South Africa)L'Ormarins Queen's PlateI1 Mile (Turf)3 YO & UpOpenMileFutura (SAF)N/ARecap
1/10/2015Kenilworth (South Africa)Maine Chance Farms Paddock StakesI1 1/8 Miles (Turf)3 YO & UpFillies & MaresFilly & Mare TurfInara (SAF)N/ARecap
4/6/2015Randwick (Australia)The Star Doncaster MileI1 Mile (Turf)3 YO & UpOpenMileKermadec (NZ)N/ARecap
4/6/2015Randwick (Australia)TJ Smith StakesI6 Furlongs (Turf)3 YO & UpOpenTurf SprintChautauqua (AUS)N/ARecap
4/11/2015Randwick (Australia)Longines Queen Elizabeth StakesI1 1/4 Miles (Turf)3 YO & UpOpenTurfCriterion (NZ)N/ARecap
5/1/2015Palermo (Argentina)Gran Premio CriadoresI1 1/4 Miles3 YO & UpFillies & MaresDistaffFuria Cruzada (CHI)N/ARecap
5/25/2015San Isidro (Argentina)Gran Premio 25 de MayoI1 1/2 Miles (Turf)3 YO & UpOpenTurfOrdak Dan (ARG)N/ARecap
6/6/2015Belmont Park (New York, USA)Metropolitan HandicapI1 Mile3 YO & UpOpenDirt MileHonor CodePreviewRecap
6/6/2015Belmont Park (New York, USA)Ogden PhippsI1 1/16 Miles4 YO & UpFillies & MaresDistaffWedding ToastPreviewRecap
6/13/2015Churchill Downs (Kentucky, USA)Fleur de Lis HandicapII1 1/8 Miles3 YO & UpFillies & MaresDistaffFrivolousPreviewRecap
6/13/2015Churchill Downs (Kentucky, USA)Stephen Foster HandicapI1 1/8 Miles3 YO & UpOpenClassicNoble BirdPreviewRecap
6/13/2015Santa Anita (California, USA)Shoemaker MileI1 Mile (Turf)3 YO & UpOpenMileTalco (FR)PreviewRecap
6/21/2015Gavea (Brazil)Grande Premio BrasilI1 1/2 Miles (Turf)4 YO & UpOpenTurfBarolo (BRZ)N/ARecap
6/21/2015Monterrico (Peru)Clasico Cesar del RioIII1 1/4 Miles3 YO & UpFillies & MaresDistaffValient Emilia (PER)N/ARecap
6/26/2015Club Hipico de Santiago (Chile)Copa de Oro Vinas de ChileII1 1/8 Miles3 YO & UpOpenDirt MileSalamaN/ARecap
6/27/2015Santa Anita (California, USA)The Gold Cup at Santa AnitaI1 1/4 Miles3 YO & UpOpenClassicHard AcesPreviewRecap
6/28/2015Hanshin (Japan)Takarazuka KinenI1 3/8 Miles (Turf)3 YO & UpOpenTurfLovely DayPreviewRecap
7/4/2015Belmont Park (New York, USA)Belmont Oaks InvitationalI1 1/4 Miles (Turf)3 YOFilliesFilly & Mare TurfLady EliPreviewRecap
7/5/2015Gulfstream Park (Florida, USA)Princess Rooney HandicapII6 Furlongs3 YO & UpFillies & MaresFilly & Mare SprintMerry MeadowPreviewRecap
7/5/2015Gulfstream Park (Florida, USA)Smile HandicapII6 Furlongs3 YO & UpOpenSprintFavorite TalePreviewRecap
7/5/2015Monmouth Park (New Jersey, USA)United Nations StakesI1 3/8 Miles (Turf)3 YO & UpOpenTurfBig Blue KittenPreviewRecap
7/25/2015Ascot Racecourse (United Kingdom)King George VI & Queen Elizabeth StakesI1 1/2 Miles (Turf)3 YO & UpOpenTurfPostponed (IRE)PreviewRecap
7/26/2015Del Mar (California, USA)Bing Crosby StakesI6 Furlongs3 YO & UpOpenSprintWild DudePreviewRecap
7/29/2015Goodwood (United Kingdom)Qatar Sussex StakesI1 Mile (Turf)3 YO & UpOpenMileSolow (GB)PreviewRecap
8/1/2015Del Mar (California, USA)Clement L. Hirsch StakesI1 1/16 Miles3 YO & UpFillies & MaresDistaffBeholderPreviewRecap
8/2/2015Monmouth Park (New Jersey, USA)William Hill Haskell InvitationalI1 1/8 Miles3 YOOpenClassicAmerican PharoahPreviewRecap
8/8/2015Saratoga (New York, USA)The WhitneyI1 1/8 Miles3 YO & UpOpenClassicHonor CodePreviewRecap
8/15/2015Arlington Park (Illinois, USA)Arlington MillionI1 1/4 Miles (Turf)3 YO & UpOpenTurfThe Pizza ManPreviewRecap
8/15/2015Arlington Park (Illinois, USA)Beverly D. StakesI1 3/16 Miles (Turf)3 YO & UpFillies & MaresFilly & Mare TurfWatsdachancesPreviewRecap
8/16/2015DeauvillePrix du Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard Jacques le Marois I1 Mile (Turf)3 YO & UpOpenMileEsoterique (IRE)PreviewRecap
8/19/2015York (United Kingdom)Juddmonte International StakesI1 1/4 Miles (Turf)3 YO & UpOpenTurfAustralia (GB)PreviewRecap
8/20/2015York (United Kingdom)Darley Yorkshire OaksI1 1/2 Miles (Turf)3 YO & UpFillies & MaresFilly & Mare TurfPleascach (IRE)PreviewRecap
8/21/2015York (United Kingdom)Coolmore Nunthorpe StakesI5 Furlongs (Turf)2 YO & UpOpenTurf SprintMecca's Angel (IRE)PreviewRecap
8/22/2015Del Mar (California, USA)Del Mar HandicapII1 3/8 Miles (Turf)3 YO & UpOpenTurfBig John BPreviewRecap
8/22/2015Del Mar (California, USA)Pat O'Brien StakesII7 Furlongs3 YO & UpOpenDirt MileAppealing TalePreviewRecap
8/22/2015Del Mar (California, USA)TVG Pacific ClassicI1 1/4 Miles3 YO & UpOpenClassicBeholderPreviewRecap
8/29/2015Saratoga (New York, USA)Ballerina StakesI7 Furlongs3 YO & UpFillies & MaresFilly & Mare SprintUnbridled ForeverPreviewRecap
8/29/2015Saratoga (New York, USA)Forego StakesI7 Furlongs3 YO & UpOpenSprintPrivate ZonePreviewRecap
8/29/2015Saratoga (New York, USA)Personal EnsignI1 1/8 Miles3 YO & UpFillies & MaresDistaffSheer DramaPreviewRecap
8/29/2015Saratoga (New York, USA)Sword Dancer Invitational StakesI1 1/2 Miles (Turf)3 YO & UpOpenTurfFlintshire (GB)PreviewRecap
9/5/2015Baden (Germany)T. Von Zastrow StutenpreisII1 3/8 Miles (Turf)3 YO & UpFillies & MaresFilly & Mare TurfShivajia (GER)N/AN/A
9/5/2015Saratoga (New York, USA)Spinaway StakesI7 Furlongs2 YOFilliesJuvenile FilliesRachel's ValentinaPreviewRecap
9/6/2015Baden (Germany)Longines Grosser Preis Von BadenI1 1/2 Miles (Turf)3 YO & UpOpenTurfPrince Gibraltar (FR)N/ARecap
9/12/2015Leopardstown (Republic of Ireland)QIPCO Irish Champion StakesI1 1/4 Miles (Turf)3 YO & UpOpenTurfGolden Horn (GB)N/ARecap
9/12/2015Leopardstown (Republic of Ireland)The Coolmore Stud Matron StakesI1 Mile (Turf)3 YO & UpFillies & MaresFilly & Mare TurfLegatissimo (IRE)PreviewRecap
9/12/2015Leopardstown (Republic of Ireland)Willis Champions Juvenile StakesIII1 Mile (Turf)2 YOOpenJuvenile TurfJohannes Vermeer (IRE)N/ARecap
9/12/2015Churchill Downs (Kentucky, USA)Iroquois StakesIII1 1/16 Miles2 YOOpenJuvenileCocked and LoadedPreviewRecap
9/12/2015Churchill Downs (Kentucky, USA)Pocahontas StakesII1 1/16 Miles2 YOFilliesJuvenile FilliesDothraki QueenPreviewRecap
9/12/2015Woodbine (Canada)Natalma StakesII1 Mile (Turf)2 YOFilliesJuvenile Fillies TurfCatch A GlimpsePreviewRecap
9/12/2015Woodbine (Canada)Summer StakesII1 Mile (Turf)2 YOOpenJuvenile TurfConquest DaddyoPreviewRecap
9/13/2015Curragh (Republic of Ireland)Moyglare Stud StakesI7 Furlongs (Turf)2 YOFilliesJuvenile Fillies TurfMinding (IRE)PreviewRecap
9/13/2015Woodbine (Canada)Canadian StakesII1 1/8 Miles (Turf)3 YO & UpFillies & MaresFilly & Mare TurfStrut the CoursePreviewRecap
9/13/2015Woodbine (Canada)Ricoh Woodbine MileI1 Mile (Turf)3 YO & UpOpenMileMondialiste (IRE)PreviewRecap
9/25/2015Newmarket (United Kingdom)Shadwell RockfelII7 Furlongs (Turf)2 YOFilliesJuvenile Fillies TurfPromising RunN/ARecap
9/26/2015Newmarket (United Kingdom)Juddmonte Royal Lodge StakesII1 Mile (Turf)2 YOColts & GeldingsJuvenile TurfFoundation (IRE)N/ARecap
9/26/2015Belmont Park (New York, USA)Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational StakesI1 1/2 Miles (Turf)3 YO & UpOpenTurfBig Blue KittenPreviewRecap
9/26/2015Belmont Park (New York, USA)Vosburgh Invitational StakesI6 Furlongs3 YO & UpOpenSprintRock FallPreviewRecap
9/26/2015Santa Anita (California, USA)Awesome Again StakesI1 1/8 Miles3 YO & UpOpenClassicSmooth RollerPreviewRecap
9/26/2015Santa Anita (California, USA)Chandelier StakesI1 1/16 Miles2 YOFilliesJuvenile FilliesSongbirdPreviewRecap
9/26/2015Santa Anita (California, USA)FrontRunner StakesI1 1/16 Miles2 YOOpenJuvenileNyquistPreviewRecap
9/26/2015Santa Anita (California, USA)Rodeo Drive StakesI1 1/4 Miles (Turf)3 YO & UpFillies & MaresFilly & Mare TurfPhoto CallPreviewRecap
9/26/2015Santa Anita (California, USA)Zenyatta StakesI1 1/16 Miles3 YO & UpFillies & MaresDistaffBeholderPreviewRecap
10/2/2015Keeneland (Kentucky, USA)Darley Alcibiades StakesI1 1/16 Miles2 YOFilliesJuvenile FilliesGomoPreviewRecap
10/2/2015Keeneland (Kentucky, USA)Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix StakesIII6 Furlongs3 YO & UpOpenSprintRunhappyPreviewRecap
10/3/2015Belmont Park (New York, USA)Flower Bowl Invitational StakesI1 1/4 Miles (Turf)3 YO & UpFillies & MaresFilly & Mare TurfStephanie's KittenPreviewRecap
10/3/2015Belmont Park (New York, USA)Foxwoods Champagne StakesI1 Mile2 YOOpenJuvenileGreenpointcrusaderPreviewRecap
10/3/2015Belmont Park (New York, USA)Frizette StakesI1 Mile2 YOFilliesJuvenile FilliesNicknamePreviewRecap
10/3/2015Belmont Park (New York, USA)Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational StakesI1 1/4 Miles3 YO & UpOpenClassicTonalistPreviewRecap
10/3/2015Keeneland (Kentucky, USA)Claiborne Breeders' FuturityI1 1/16 Miles2 YOOpenJuvenileBrody's CausePreviewRecap
10/3/2015Keeneland (Kentucky, USA)Shadwell Turf Mile StakesI1 Mile (Turf)3 YO & UpOpenMileGrand ArchPreviewRecap
10/3/2015Keeneland (Kentucky, USA)Thoroughbred Club of America StakesII6 Furlongs3 YO & UpFillies & MaresFilly & Mare SprintFiorettiPreviewRecap
10/3/2015Santa Anita (California, USA)Santa Anita Sprint ChampionshipI6 Furlongs3 YO & UpOpenSprintWild DudePreviewRecap
10/4/2015Keeneland (Kentucky, USA)Dixiana Bourbon StakesIII1 1/16 Miles (Turf)2 YOOpenJuvenile TurfAiroforcePreviewRecap
10/4/2015Keeneland (Kentucky, USA)Juddmonte Spinster StakesI1 1/8 Miles3 YO & UpFillies & MaresDistaffGot LuckyPreviewRecap
10/4/2015Longchamp (France)Longines Prix de L'OperaI1 1/4 Miles (Turf)3 YO & UpFillies & MaresFilly & Mare TurfCovert Love (IRE)N/ARecap
10/4/2015Longchamp (France)Prix Marcel BoussacI1 Mile (Turf)2 YOFilliesJuvenile Fillies TurfBallydoyle (IRE)N/ARecap
10/4/2015Longchamp (France)Qatar Prix Jean-Luc LagardereI1 Mile (Turf)2 YOOpenJuvenile TurfUltra (IRE)N/ARecap
10/8/2015Keeneland (Kentucky, USA)JPMorgan Chase Jessamine StakesIII1 1/16 Miles (Turf)2 YOFilliesJuvenile Fillies TurfHarmonizePreviewRecap

A race preview and recap will be provided for nearly all the United States races, but some international previews and recaps may be unavailable.

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