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race in the chute.
The Cup horses will jump 16 of the national fences along the 2% mile route — two on the front side the first time, then four on the back and all seven the final circuit finishing out over three fences in the final straight. _
To be eligible for the weight-forage race, entries must be Thoroughbreds age three and older. Horses by stallions nominated to the Breeders’ Cup will require a $500 nomination fee with another $1,500 tacked on if the horse’s sire is not nominated to the program. To continue eligibility, owners must come up with another $2,500 for their horses on Monday, Oct.20 and the same again nine days later when the final entries will close. The nomination fees are hefty by steeplechase standards, but considering the purse is $250,000 and the winner will get 50 percent of that, there will be many owners clamoring to get their horses in the race.
Early response to the announcement of the race was enthusiastic from horsemen in this country and Europe. Fair Hill has permission from the Maryland Racing Commission to start as many as 18 horses in the Breeders’ Cup Steeplechase.
“The limit was set in keeping with Breeders’ Cup standards,” Mr. Groat explained. “We will have to see how the race fills. If we have to limit the field, 65 percent of the horses will gain admission by their lifetime earnings. The other 35 percent will be determined on ability by a panel of experts.”
96.5%