Breeders’ Cup adds more automatic qualifying races, total now at 62 in 7 countries

Breeders’ Cup qualifiers increased for 2009

NEW YORK — The Breeders’ Cup Challenge has added more races to its program of automatic qualifiers, bringing the total to 62 races in which the winner clinches a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Championships in November.

The $25.5 million two-day Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita features 14 races, including the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic. The races are Nov. 6-7.

Last year, there were 57 challenge races.

Most of the qualifiers are in the United States, with six other countries — Australia, Canada England, France, Hong Kong and Ireland — also hosting races.

The qualifying races begin July 4 with the United Nations Handicap and the Salvatore Mile, both at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J.