Breeders' Cup Set For Churchill, But Deal May Hinge On Tax Break

MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME: BLOODHORSE.com's Tom LaMarra reported the Breeders' Cup World Championships' return to Churchill Downs in 2010 could begin a "regular run of the Kentucky racetrack serving as a host site." Churchill has hosted the event six times and "has accounted for six of the seven largest crowds." Yesterday's announcement "also marked a major shift, as until a few months ago it appeared Churchill and Breeders' Cup officials were at odds over a revenue-sharing deal the track would accept." Avioli said that Breeders' Cup is "seeking a 'multi-year rotation' for the event, but it's too soon to speculate on the tracks or the number of tracks that would be involved." The Breeders' Cup this year will have its 25th running from October 24-25 at Santa Anita Park in California. Santa Anita also will host the '09 event. LaMarra noted the race "has been held at 10 different tracks, though most have been repeat hosts" (BLOODHORSE.com, 10/8). Meanwhile, Avioli "discounted" NYRA President Charles Hayward's assertion that there "had been an informal agreement between NYRA and the Breeders' Cup for Belmont Park to host the 2010 event." Avioli: "We had a discussion. There was never a deal" (DRF.com, 10/8). Hayward last month said that the NYRA "reached a handshake agreement with Breeders' Cup" this spring for Belmont Park to be the site for the 2010 event. Hayward indicated that Breeders' Cup "decided to go with Churchill instead this summer without offering NYRA a chance to respond" (THOROUGHBREDTIMES.com, 10/8).

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