Breeders' Cup sets new regulations for Grade 1 races

The Breeders' Cup is setting limits on all Grade 1 races that receive purse

supplements from the organization. Beginning July 1, these Grade 1 events must

be run under weight-for-age conditions. This decision was made in order to

create equal conditions for horses entered in Grade 1 races by the Breeders'

Cup board of directors at a meeting in Lexington, Kentucky, on Sunday.

The races affected by the new ruling are the Ancient Title Breeders' Cup H. at

Santa Anita; Bing Crosby Breeders' Cup H. at Del Mar; Gamely Breeders'

Cup H. and Triple Bend Breeders' Cup H., both at Hollywood Park; and Garden City Breeders' Cup H.

at Belmont Park. Grade 2 races will not be affected by the change.

The board also approved a contract for the Thoroughbred Championships Tour,

which is set to begin in 2006. Proposed by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders'

Association, the Tour is designed to promote racing by setting up a system of

races at various tracks that will be televised nationally.

Also approved at the meeting was an agreement from the Breeders' Cup to

become a founding member of the Friends of New York Racing, a foundation created

to study the New York racing industry.