Breeders' Cup alters distance of two turf races at Del Mar
Two races on the Breeders’ Cup card this year will be run at non-traditional distances due to the configuration of the Del Mar turf course, Breeders’ Cup announced on Wednesday.
The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint will be run at five furlongs this year, while the Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Turf will be run at 1 1/8 miles, the shortest distance for the race since it was added to the event in 1999. The other 11 Breeders’ Cup races on the two-day card scheduled for Nov. 3-4 will be run at their traditional distances, including the four other turf races, Breeders’ Cup said.
The Del Mar turf course is seven-furlongs in circumference with a chute for 1 1/16-mile and 1 1/8-mile races.
The Turf Sprint was run at about 6 1/2 furlongs down the hillside turf course at Santa Anita last year. The year prior, the Turf Sprint was run at 5 1/2 furlongs when the event was held at Keeneland.
The Filly and Mare Turf was run at 1 1/4 miles in 2016 at Santa Anita, and at 1 3/16 miles when held at Keeneland the year prior. The race has been run at 1 3/8 miles seven times in its 18-year history, and at 1 1/4 miles 10 times.
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