Breeders' Cup Challenge Series adds two South Korean races

Two stakes races held in South Korea have been added this year to the slate of contests that provide fees-paid berths to one of the 14 races for the Breeders’ Cup event, according to a schedule of the races distributed by Breeders’ Cup on Monday.

The Korea Cup and the Korea Sprint, both Group 3 races scheduled for Sept. 8 at Seoul Racecourse in South Korea, were added to the list, which comprises 82 races this year in 12 countries. The Korea Cup, a 1 1/8-mile dirt race, will provide a berth to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, while the Korea Sprint, a six-furlong dirt race, will provide a berth to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

The two South Korean races are part of a schedule of 41 stakes races held outside the U.S. that will provide the berths this year. Under the program, called Win and You’re In, winners of the designated stakes have their entry fees waived and receive travel stipends. The program is in its 18th year.

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Breeders’ Cup added three races in England to the schedule this year. The Aug. 21 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes at York will provide a berth to the Juvenile Turf; the Aug. 24 William Hill Prestige Stakes at Goodwood will provide a berth into the Juvenile Fillies Turf; and the British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes on Oct. 19 at Ascot will provide a berth into the Filly and Mare Turf.

Forty-one races will be run domestically as part of the series, kicking off with three races scheduled for June 8 at Saratoga Race Course as part of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. All races in the series are graded stakes. For a full schedule of the stakes and their qualifying races click here.

Last year, 42 horses who won a designated race competed at the Breeders’ Cup, and eight of those horses won their races.

This year's Breeders' Cup will be held at Del Mar on Nov. 1-2.

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