Donn Handicap first up for 'The Jockey Club Tour on FOX'

By: SPORTS NETWORK

New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Gulfstream Park's Donn Handicap will be the initial stakes race that will begin "The Jockey Club Tour on FOX." The Jockey Club reached an agreement with FOX Sports last August to have important thoroughbred stakes races broadcast on FOX Sports 1.

"We're excited to begin our relationship with The Jockey Club on February 9 with live coverage of the Donn Handicap on FOX Sports 1," said David Nathanson, general manager and chief operating officer of FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. "FOX Sports is planning to take a fresh approach to horse racing coverage with a focus on the horses, jockeys, trainers, owners and horseplayers that make the sport one of America's best pastimes."

There will be nine shows featuring 20 races. The second broadcast will include the $10 million Dubai World Cup on Saturday, March 29. Future programs will include the Blue Grass Stakes for 3-year-olds, United Nations Stakes for grass horses and Woodbine Mile from Canada that has been won the last two years by two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan.

"As we have often stated, increasing the national television presence of Thoroughbred racing continues to be a key component of our fan retention and development efforts under the America's Best Racing banner," said Ogden Mills Phipps, chairman of The Jockey Club. "This uniquely structured series will help casual fans follow the stars of our sport beyond the Triple Crown and into the summer and fall as many of them aim for the Breeders' Cup. The inclusion of the Dubai World Cup certainly brings the sport's international flavor to the series, and we are grateful to all of the participating racetracks for making these races available for our series."