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Changes in Breeders' Cup race lineup; top Classic contender injured [Sports] [2]

Posted On: 26 Oct 2011 - 11:15am

LouLife [1]

By J.J. Hysell [3]

A change in the lineup of Breeders’ Cup races on Saturday brings champion turf miler Goldikova and aspiring Triple Crown hopefuls into the spotlight.

The Breeders’ Cup Mile, originally slated as the ninth race, was moved to the 10^th race, prior to the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The Mile features world-renowned European-based mare Goldikova, who will be seeking her fourth straight Breeders’ Cup Mile victory.

The Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf switches from the ninth race to the eighth race on the card. The Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile moves into the seventh race slot.

The Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, which features top 2-year-olds, moves from race seven to race nine.

“Due to the heightened international interest in Goldikova’s quest for an unprecedented fourth consecutive TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile, we believe that moving the Mile to later in Saturday’s program will provide a fitting tribute to this extraordinary challenge,” Breeders’ Cup president and CEO Craig Fravel said in a press release. “Given the Triple Crown implications of the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, we also believe that placing this race later in the program puts the spotlight on next year’s potential stars going into their 3-year-old campaigns.”

Television coverage of Saturday’s races begins with the Breeders’ Cup Marathon on TVG at 1:20 p.m. ABC-TV takes over at 2 p.m. ET, and ESPN and ESPN3 will provide coverage from 3:30 – 7:15 p.m., including the Classic, which is slated for 7 p.m.

The Breeders’ Cup Classic lost a top contender in Met Mile and Whitney winner Tizway. The 6-year-old son of Tiznow was retired Tuesday after a suspensory injury in his left front leg was discovered following a morning gallop.

“It was just bad luck,” trainer James Bond said. “It’s sad because I wanted him to have the chance to prove to everyone that he was the best horse in the world."

Photo: courtesy Breeders' Cup

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