The Future of the Breeders’ Cup: Location, Location, Location

By | July 22, 2014

The Breeders’ Cup World Championships are branching out in the upcoming years and leaving behind the beautiful Santa Anita Park for a short hiatus. This race course right outside of Los Angeles has been the home to “the richest two days in sports” consecutively since 2012, in addition to the years 1986, 1993, 2003, 2008, and 2009, but it’s finally time to see a new location.

Several weeks ago, the Breeders’ Cup released the schedule of locations for the next three years, stretching the world championships across three unique race courses, in three different cities and two different states.

Take a look at the race courses on the schedule, what they are famous for and learn why this variety of location is a good thing for YOU!

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2015 Breeders’ Cup: Keeneland Race Course

Located in Lexington, KY, Keeneland Race Course will be hosting the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for the first time Oct. 30-31, 2015. The track is known to be the center of American Thoroughbred breeding and sales in the greater Lexington area, hence its selection to hold such a large event.

Keeneland will be the first track since Monmouth Park in 2007, to host the Breeders’ Cup apart from Santa Anita Park. The track is already under preparations to accommodate the mecca of horse meets, and is adding more than 7,000 seats including new box seats, dining and hospitality areas. In addition, the reserved seating capacity will be raised to 21,000!

Because of the lack of lights at Keeneland, the race will need to be held during the daytime on the east coast, so the start time of both race days will be earlier than the Breeders’ Cup is used to. However, don’t think for a second the lack of night racing will hinder the impact of the world championship races – the competition and elements of the racing will be stronger than ever! 

Get On the Wait List to Attend the 2015 Breeders’ Cup

2016 Breeders’ Cup: Santa Anita Park

In 2016, the Breeders’ Cup will make its return to Santa Anita Park after its one year hiatus. When championship racing makes its debut back at Santa Anita on Nov. 4-5, it will mark the track as the most frequent host venue in the history of the event, surpassing Churchill Downs!

Santa Anita Park has a deep history in hosting the Breeders’ Cup and no doubt the event will be more extravagant than ever when it makes its return in 2016.

Get On the Wait List to Attend the 2016 Breeders’ Cup

2017 Breeders’ Cup: Del Mar Racetrack

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On Nov. 3-4, 2017, Del Mar Racetrack will see the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for the first time. The track, located north of San Diego, has been in the process of rennovating to make it larger and more compatible for large meets such as the Breeders’ Cup.

Just recently in 2013, Del Mar widened its turf course to accommodate more in the gate, and the Polytrack synthetic surface was replaced with dirt just this summer. Combine this news with the recent close of Hollywood Park, and Del Mar as a Breeders’ Cup host track was a no-brainer!

Del Mar also plans to construct temporary seating closer to the date of the 2017 Breeders’ Cup, offering luxury suites and box seats in an area west of the main grandstand.

Get On the Wait List to Attend the 2017 Breeders’ Cup

Location is Key!

So why all the sudden decisions to rotate the site location of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships? Well, it’s simple really. The Breeders’ Cup consulted with leading owners, trainers, breeders, and stallion farms around the country in order to make the decision. It was decided that it's important to visit different sites, under different conditions, different race lengths, and different weather conditions.

But not only is this a fantastic decision for those involved in the races, but it’s also great news for spectators and horse racing fans! The future Breeders’ Cup will each be unique keeping the audience on its toes, and with locations across the country, spectators from different areas have a chance to see racing LIVE without traveling far!

Attend the 2014 Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita Park

While all this talk of the future Breeders’ Cups can’t help but excite fans for the debuts at Keeneland and Del Mar, you can’t help but also get pumped for the 2014 Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita Park!

Scheduled for Oct. 31-Nov. 1, the 2014 Breeders’ Cup will take Santa Anita by storm, leaving its mark before its break from the track. With
Official Ticket Packages direct from the Breeders’ Cup, you can have prime seats in the stands to watch the championships races, access to an exclusive in-track hospitality area complete with open beverage and menu selections, and plenty of additional VIP amenities such as official gift bags, luxurious accommodations and transportation.

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be able to attend the Breeders’ Cup, so why not check it off your bucket list now? Get more information on how you can attend the 2014 Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita by calling 1-866-834-8663 to speak to a Breeders’ Cup Experiences representative or by visiting QuintEvents website today.

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