2005 Cup may go to New York

Provisional plans to hold the 2005 Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs in Louisville have been scrapped because of a scheduling conflict, opening the door for Belmont Park in New York to host the event that year.

The 2005 Cup is set for Oct. 29, the same weekend that the Future Farmers of America will hold a four-day convention in Louisville that is expected to attract 50,000 people to the city. According to Breeders' Cup officials, the conflict will put a strain on hotel accommodations in the city.

D.G. Van Clief, president of Breeders' Cup, said Friday that Churchill Downs will be considered instead for the 2006 event. In the meantime, Van Clief has started negotiations with the New York Racing Association, which hosted the Cup last year.

Santa Anita is scheduled to host the Cup in 2003. The event will be held for the first time at Lone Star Park in 2004.