Friday, October 17, 2008

Schwarzenneger to Present Trophy

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 16, 2008)—Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger has announced he will attend the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park on Oct. 25, and he will become the first California governor to ever present the winner’s trophy for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, which will be run as the ninth race at approximately 3:45 p.m., PST.

The Breeders’ Cup will be hosted for the fourth time by the Oak Tree Racing Association, as the two-day event will be held on Oct. 24 and 25 and will be televised live on ESPN and ABC. This will mark the sixth time the Breeders’ Cup has been held in California, as Hollywood Park has hosted on two prior occasions.


“We are extremely pleased that Governor Schwarzenneger has chosen to attend Breeders’ Cup 25 and present the trophy for the biggest race in North America,” said Oak Tree Director and Executive Vice President Sherwood Chillingworth. “He will be presenting the Classic trophy along with Mrs. John Gaines, whose late husband was instrumental in formulating the Breeders’ Cup concept back in 1984.

“I think the governor recognizes the importance of the Thoroughbred industry here in California and his presence on Oct. 25 does indeed lend a great deal of prestige to the event,” he added.

The Breeders’ Cup Classic, for 3-year-olds and up at 1 ¼ miles, figures to have a strong international field, with reigning Horse of the Year Curlin set to defend his Classic title and join Tiznow as the only two-time winners of the Classic.

In winning the Gr. I Jockey Club Gold Cup for the second consecutive year on Sept. 27, at Belmont Park, Curlin surpassed the $10 million mark in career earnings and became North America’s all-time leading money earner.

Curlin was flown from New York and arrived at Santa Anita immediately following his Gold Cup win on Sept. 27. Under the supervision of majority owner Jess Jackson and trainer Steve Asmussen, he worked five furlongs in an impressive 59.12 breezing, between races here on Monday and was pre-entered in the Classic on Tuesday.

First post time on Friday, Oct. 24 is 11:05 a.m., and Santa Anita’s admission gates will open at 8 a.m.

First post time on Saturday, Oct. 25 is 10:10 a.m., with admission gates opening at 7 a.m.

For Breeders’ Cup ticketing information, call (626) 254-1300.

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