Despite 2020 Challenges, Horsemen Support Breeders' Cup

Despite a pandemic, horsemen have supported this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships, where pre-entries are up 7% to 201 for this year's 14-race event Nov. 6-7 at Keeneland.

Last year there were 188 horses entered for the event, which also offered 14 races and was conducted at Santa Anita Park. The previous time the Breeders' Cup was contested at Keeneland, there were 200 pre-entries for 13 races.

Breeders' Cup reports that 39 international horses have been entered for this year, despite added travel challenges. Top international trainer Aidan O'Brien said despite those extra hurdles, it was important to continue to support Breeders' Cup. The Irish-based trainer pre-entered 10 horses.

"Obviously everybody has to be careful and very respectful of each other's space and have their own space," O'Brien said. "That's the most important thing, that everybody stays healthy. And we just felt it's important for the racing industry and everybody in the business, buying, selling, breeding, training, and doing everything does, it is important that the standard of the Breeders' Cup is kept up."

As for some top horses that had race options, Preakness Stakes (G1)-winning filly Swiss Skydiver has been entered in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) as first preference, while the Longines Classic (G1) is listed as her connections' second preference.

Trainer Ken McPeek said they'll look over the entries for both races for the Daredevil filly who earned fees-paid berths in both races through the Breeders' Cup Challenge series. He said the decision is not set in stone, but it's fair to call the Distaff their first preference at this point.

Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap (G1) winner Vekoma  has the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) as his first preference, while he's also entered in the Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile (G1)—second preference. 

Filly Frank's Rockette looks like she'll take her four-race win streak to the Sprint, where she'll face males off back-to-back grade 2 wins against females. The Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) is her second preference.

There were 48 horses pre-entered who earned fees-paid berths through the Breeders' Cup.

For a list of all the horses, click here.

This story will be updated.