"Win and You're In" expands for 2012

By: SPORTS NETWORK

New York, NY (Sports Network) - A total of 73 races have been scheduled as part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" program for this year. Racetracks in 10 countries will participate in the program where winners of designated races gain automatic entry into Breeders' Cup races.

"Expanding the global reach and upgrading the quality of races in the Breeders' Cup Challenge series are critical factors in increased participation and in generating awareness for the Breeders' Cup in the months leading to our Championships," said Craig Fravel, President and CEO of Breeders' Cup Limited. "We also look forward to horsemen taking advantage of our incentive program of free entries and travel allowances for Challenge winners into the World Championships, which was very well received last year."

Now in its sixth year, the Challenge Series includes races outside of North America from Argentina, Australia, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan and South Africa. The first of the overseas events was the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate at Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town, South Africa won by Gimmethegreenlight. The victory qualifies the four-year-old for the Breeders' Cup Mile on the turf.

New U.S. races included in the Challenge are the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs on June 16, Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 26, Gallant Bloom Handicap on Sept. 22 at Belmont Park, Pilgrim Stakes and Miss Grillo Stakes at Belmont Park on Oct. 7 and Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland on Oct.7.

This year's Breeders' Cup World Championships will be held November 2 and 3 at Santa Anita Park after two consecutive years at Churchill Downs.