Your Race-by-Race Breakdown for the 2018 Breeders' Cup
By Evan Chronis | July 25, 2018
While it sometimes gets lost in the shuffle due to the unabashed hype surrounding the Triple Crown™, the Breeders' Cup World Championships® is held by many to be the biggest thoroughbred racing event of the calendar year. With the Classic holding one of the highest pursues in the sport, the event carries a significance and importance unlike most.
With 14 total races over an exciting two-day span, there is a total of $30 million in purses and awards on the line at Churchill Downs® this year! But outside of the Classic, you may not know how the races are broken down, either by purse, distance, qualifications or whatever else.
While it can certainly be tricky and a lot to take in at first, this breakdown should explain each race at the 2018 Breeders' Cup World Championships® and help you enjoy the entire weekend at the racetrack.
Friday, November 2
Juvenile Fillies
Purse: $2,000,000
Distance: 1 1/16 miles
Grade: 1
Age: 2
Most Recent Winner: Caledonia Road
Juvenile Fillies Turf
Purse: $1,000,000
Distance: 1 mile on grass course
Grade: 1
Age: 2
Most Recent Winner: Rushing Fall
Juvenile Turf
Purse: $1,000,000
Distance: 1 mile on grass course
Grade: 1
Age: 2
Most Recent Winner: Mendelssohn
Juvenile Turf Sprint
Debut of this race
Purse: $1,000,000
Distance: ~5.5 furlongs on turf
Grade: TBD
Age: 2
Sentient Jet Juvenile
Purse: $2,000,000
Distance: 1 1/16 miles
Grade: 1
Age: 2
Most Recent Winner: Good Magic
This race is typically a preview for the stars of the following year!
Saturday, November 3
Mile
Purse: $2,000,000
Distance: 1 mile around two turns on turf course
Grade: 1
Age: 3 years old and up
Most Recent Winner: World Approval
Turf Sprint
Purse: $1,000,000
Distance: 5.5 furlongs on turf course
Grade: 1
Age: 3 year olds and up
Most Recent Winner: Stormy Liberal
Filly & Mare Sprint
Purse: $1,000,000
Distance: 7 furlongs or 1,500 yards
Grade: 1
Age: 3 year olds and up
Most Recent Winner: Bar of Gold
Filly & Mare Turf
Purse: $2,000,000
Distance: 1 3/8 miles on turf course
Grade: 1
Age: 3 year olds and up
Most Recent Winner: Wuheida
Twinspires Sprint
Purse: $2,000,000
Distance: 6 furlongs or three-quarters of a mile
Grade: 1
Age: 3 year olds and up
Most Recent Winner: Roy H
Dirt Mile
Purse: $1,000,000
Distance: 1 mile around two turns of the main track
Grade: 1
Age: 3 years old and up
Most Recent Winner: Battle of Midway
Longines Distaff
Purse: $2,000,000
Distance: 1 1/8 miles on the main track
Grade: 1
Age: 3 year olds and up
Most Recent Winner: Forever Unbridled
Longines Turf
Purse: $4,000,000
Distance: 1 1/2 miles on grass course
Grade: 1
Age: 3 year olds and up
Most Recent Winner: Talismanic
Classic
Purse: $6,000,000
Distance: 1 1/4 miles
Grade: 1
Age: 3 year olds and up
Most Recent Winner: Gun Runner
Be at the Breeders' Cup 2018!
If you want to see every race at the Breeders' Cup 2018 while enjoying all there is to offer at Churchill Downs®, you can! An Official Ticket Package with Breeders' Cup Experiences helps you optimize your experience at the event. Choose between the Grandstand Yellow, Skye Terrace, Trophy Room or The Mansion packages and secure your spot at the Breeders' Cup 2018 today!