On your marks, get set, go! Are you ready for one of the best horse races in the country?
While many people tend to first think of the Kentucky Derby when it comes to racing, true race enthusiasts know that the Breeders Cup is actually one of the best horse races of the year.
The Breeders Cup weekend includes 14 different races across a Friday and Saturday, with some of the best thoroughbreds in the world competing for the trophy.
How much do you know about this historic horse race? To learn more and get ready for this year’s big races, keep reading to find nine key things to know about the Breeders Cup.
And they’re off!
- The Location of the Breeders Cup Is Always Changing
Where and when is the Breeders Cup? While the race is always held in early November, you may be surprised to learn that the race’s location often changes from year to year.
In recent years, it has been held in Churchill Downs, Santa Anita Park, and Del Mar Racing. Moving the race from state to state lets fans across the country be able to attend, and it’s always a popular weekend, no matter where the races are being held.
We recommend getting a ticket early each year, to avoid missing out.
- It Has International Appeal
The Breeders Cup is not only popular with American riders and horses, but the prestige and prizes of the race also attract international entrants.
Most years there are plenty of international horses involved, from countries such as Australia, England, Qatar, and Brazil. The international component of the race adds excitement, as owners and jockeys from all over the world love the thrill of the Breeders Cup.
- Improbable Is the 2020 Favorite
Who are the Breeders Cup favorites for 2020? This year, the early favorite to win is Improbable, a four-year-old colt out of Kentucky.
His speed, strength, and track record make him one to watch this year. We also recommend keeping an eye on Maximum Security and Tiz the Law.
However, it’s anyone guesses as to who will take home the trophy, as race enthusiasts know that it’s often the underdog who can take the race by surprise.
- The Race Has a Strong Charity Focus
The Breeders Cup isn’t all about profit, with the organization having a strong focus on charity. The Breeders Cup Charities was founded in 2008 as the official charity outreach program and has donated over $1 million to various charitable organizations.
As a race supporter, you can feel good in knowing that the race cares about the local community.
- There Are Millions in Prizes
One of the reasons the race is so popular is due to the prize money. It varies yearly, but the Cup is expected to give away over at least $8 million in prize money this year.
With so much at stake, it’s easy to see why horses are brought in from other countries, all vying for the big prizes.
The Breeders Cup isn’t the richest horse race in the world, but it is close! This year, it ranks third, behind the Dubai World Cup and the Everest.
- Do You Know Where the Name Comes From?
Ever wondered why the race is called the Breeders Cup? Good question!
The answer is simple—the race was founded back in 1982 by a group of thoroughbred breeders from Kentucky. They imagined it as the ultimate race to see which horse was the best of the year.
The thoroughbred breeding industry is still important to the race, as all horses need to be nominated in order to enter the race. The focus of the race remains on highlighting the important history of thoroughbred breeders.
- It’s Run at a Distance of 11/4 Miles
How far is the Breeders Cup? It’s run at a distance of 1 ¼ miles, usually on a dirt track—although it has been run on a synthetic surface.
It’s known as the American Classic Distance.
- The 2020 Race Is Held in Kentucky
In 2020, the race is going back to its roots, being held in Keeneland, in Lexington, Kentucky. It’s a location racing fans know well, thanks to the famous Kentucky Derby.
However, even if you’re not able to make it to Keeneland, you can still catch all the action on TV or online.
- There Is No Official Fastest Time Record
Which horse holds the fastest time for the race? This is actually a trick question, as no official records are kept.
The reason for this is because the race location frequently changes, so it wouldn’t be possible to have consistency across all records.
However, the quickest time recorded was done by a horse named Ghostzapper, who ran the race at Lone Star Park in 1:59:02. For the Keeneland track, the record is held by American Pharoah, who finished at 2:00.07.
Get Ready to Enjoy the Breeders Cup 2020
Are you ready for all of the excitement of this year’s Breeders Cup? It’s something many racing fans eagerly look forward to all year.
Thanks to the tips above, you hopefully now have a better understanding of the history of the race and key points to look forward to. This should help you make the most of race weekend, and hopefully even win a few bets!
Get started today by researching more on the horses in this year’s race and you’re sure to have a fantastic race weekend.
Did you find this useful? If so, please keep reading for more great sports and recreation content.
