Officials at Breeders’ Cup Ltd. announced that Churchill Downs has been selected to host the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Championship.
The 17th running of the Breeders’ Cup will be held for the fifth time under the Twin Spires. Last year, Churchill Downs set a record attendance for the Breeders’ Cup with 80,452, breaking the previous record of 71,671 set at Churchill in 1994.
Breeders’ Cup Ltd. also announced that it is seeking an agreement with NYRA to conduct the 2001 Breeders’ Cup at Belmont Park.
”We have received considerable interest from NYRA to host the BC in 2001 and we will work toward that goal in the coming months,” said D.G. Van Clief, Jr., president of Breeders’ Cup Ltd.
Tentative date for the 2001 Breeders’ Cup would be Oct. 27.
1ST RACE – Lake Placid broke on top and set early pace. Lost the lead around far turn when he kept changing leads. Came back to take lead for good in midstretch over Doc Keller, who with Slew O’Stars made aggressive moves to the lead around the far turn. Slew O’Stars tired entering stretch. Doc Keller took lead but tired late in stretch. Doc Keller was claimed by Richard Dutrow Jr.
4TH RACE – O Monica set early pace with crawling fractions of 25 1/5 and 50 2/5. Double Entendre stalked in second and took lead without much urging going into far turn. Screamin The Blues was moving to lead outside of Harborfields around turn and passed Double Entendre. Latter fought back to regain lead while Screamin The Blues tired. Harborfields was relentless and regained the lead over Double Entendre for the victory.
5TH RACE – Swan Lake chased early lead and took over entering stretch. Precedence was in midpack but made strong move entering stretch and took over near wire for victory. First Class is a big horse who was in good position early. Was all over track in stretch drive. With race under belt she will be tough to beat next out.
6TH RACE – Misbah broke last but rushed up to gain lead soon after start. No So Fast and Well Noted swept to outside of Misbah around turn and the three of them were in line in stretch. The three horses battled each other in stretch while Fourth and Six, who trailed early, closed well on outside to win going away.
7TH RACE – Buster’s Pineapple reared at start and was hard held early in race. Gracious Joan set extremely soft fractions of 25 4/5 and 51 4/5 while enjoying a five length lead. Mike Smith on Golden Borders couldn’t wait anymore and took over lead entering far turn. Golden Borders then went back to his hanging ways and gave it up badly in stretch. Gracious Joan regained lead and held off Buster’s Pineapple in hard fought stretch duel.
9TH RACE – Wing Lee made it interesting to watch from the post parade until the field crossed the finish line. In the post parade, Wing seemed to have a hard time trying to control Miz Koddington. Then in the race, when Avril A Portugal bore out before far turn, Miz Koddington reacted by bearing out. She bumped Lottsa Talk and carried her wide. In stretch, Miz Koddington was closing well and lost photo for second to Eve’s Obligation.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 1-7-10-4-5-5No winners32 consolation (5 of 6) winnerseach receives $326.50Carryover: $31,353.75