Breeders' Cup Looking At Rotation Of Host-Site Racetracks

Breeders' Cup officials are "working on a five- to 10-year rotation of racetracks to serve as host sites for the World Championships," according to Tom LaMarra of BLOODHORSE. Breeders' Cup President & CEO Greg Avioli said the plan is "still in development and hasn't been presented" to the BOD, though that will likely happen early next year. Avioli: "We're working on a rotation with a set number of tracks. They would become, on many levels, strategic partners of Breeders' Cup. Host-site agreements would become part of a broader deal. There are important details we're still working through, including revisions to the Breeders' Cup Challenge and Stakes schedules." LaMarra noted after this year's event at Santa Anita Park on November 6-7, the '10 Breeders' Cup scheduled for Churchill Downs is the only future meet with a site already determined. Avioli said that the planned rotation likely would begin in '11 "and perhaps run through 2020" (BLOODHORSE.com, 10/21).

GOING TO THE FAIR: Breeders’ Cup Limited today announced simulcasting and licensing agreements with Betfair Group Limited, which will permit common-pool wagering on November's World Championships. The agreement marks the first time that Betfair will commingle into the Breeders’ Cup pools. The licensing agreement will allow Betfair to live video stream the races on its Web site and to promote exchange wagering for their int’l customers. The deal also gives Betfair use of Breeders’ Cup marks and advertising in marketing the event. The agreement will see the Breeders’ Cup receive agreed revenues from Betfair’s tote and exchange betting on the event (Breeders’ Cup).