NYRA reschedules four stakes due to expanded Breeders' Cup

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has rescheduled four fall stakes races to

accommodate the expanded presence of this year's Breeders' Cup World

Thoroughbred Championships.

The $150,000 First Flight H. (G2) for fillies and mares at seven furlongs and

the $100,000 Discovery H. (G3) for three-year-olds at nine furlongs, both

originally slated at Aqueduct on Breeders' Cup Day, October 27, have been

rescheduled. The First Flight will now be run on July 8, moving from Aqueduct to

Belmont Park. The Discovery will be run on the Cigar Mile H. (G1) undercard at

Aqueduct on November 24, four weeks after the Breeders' Cup.

In addition, two $75,000 turf stakes for two-year-olds, originally slated for

October 21, have been rescheduled. The Pilgrim will now be run on September 29

and the Miss Grillo will join an extraordinary day of racing that features four

Grade 1 stakes at Belmont Park on September 30 -- part of the Breeders' Cup

Challenge Series -- featuring the Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational S. (G1).

"The recent Breeders' Cup announcement adding the Dirt Mile, Filly & Mare

Sprint and Juvenile Turf forced this decision to re-position four of our

stakes," NYRA Chief Operating Officer Bill Nader said. "Given the expanded

Breeders' Cup schedule, these four NYRA stakes will better serve horsemen and

fans on their revised calendar dates."