2009 Breeders' Cup confirmed for Santa Anita

By: SPORTS NETWORK

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Breeders' Cup President and CEO Greg Avioli confirmed Wednesday that this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships will be conducted at Santa Anita Park during the Oak Tree Racing meet.

Avioli released a statement following a court ruling in Delaware that affirmed the lease agreement between Oak Tree Racing and the racetrack.

"At a hearing earlier today (Wednesday)," said Avioli in a statement, "the Delaware court overseeing the MEC bankruptcy fully affirmed Oak Tree Racing Association's lease with Santa Anita through the end of 2009. As a result we can now officially confirm that this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships will be held at Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park on November 6 and 7 as originally planned. Together with our colleagues at Oak Tree and Santa Anita, we are very excited to showcase another outstanding Breeders' Cup from Southern California to our fans and horsemen around the globe.

"We also want to take this opportunity to thank Bob Evans and the Churchill Downs organization for agreeing to serve as back-up host site for this year's Championships, and we very much look forward to our return to Churchill Downs in 2010."

Magna Entertainment (MEC), which owns Santa Anita, filed for bankruptcy early last month.

Oak Tree Racing hosted the 2008 Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita. Churchill Downs, which will have the 135th Kentucky Derby this Saturday, has already been awarded the 2010 Breeders' Cup. Churchill Downs was prepared to step in this year if the Breeders Cup could not be held at Santa Anita.