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| Staff Writer |
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A new initiative launched by The Breeders' Cup, comprises of a series of existing Graded stakes races at a variety of distances taking place from May through October at six U.S. tracks, that will award monetary credits–funded by Breeders' Cup–for first- through third-place finishers in selected races for horsemen to use for entry fees in six Grade I Breeders' Cup Dirt races–the US$2-million Breeders' Cup Distaff, the US$2-million Breeders' Cup Sprint, the US$2-million Breeders' Cup Juvenile, the US$2-million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, the US$1-million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint and the US$1-million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.
The initiative named as the 'Breeders' Cup Dirt Dozen', offers a bonus tier within the US$2-million Breeders' Cup divisions that is paid out US$30,000 for first, US$15,000 for second, and US$7,500 for third. In the $1-million race division, the bonus tier is US$15,000 for first, US$7,500 for second and US$3,750 for third.
The Gr.1 Derby City Distaff was the first of the 'Dirt Dozen' races to be contested this year. The series continues on July 2 with the Gr.2 Fleur de Lis S. at Churchill and the GIII Smile H. at Gulfstream Park.