(Could the Fair Grounds, above, or Horseshoe Indianapolis, below, be possible Breeders’ Cup hosts in the future? / Photos by Holly M. Smith and Coady Photography)

By Dennis Trusty / AKA Trusty Picks on Twitter

Since the Breeders Cup is coming soon, I recently saw a “Youtube” video for the NASCAR schedule last year, and got inspired to think what it would be like to see the perfect Breeders Cup schedule for the next 10 years?

I thought:

“Well, there must be some criteria for this … so let’s lay some guidelines.”

We have to accept 2024. After all, it has already been decided that the Del Mar Turf Club will be the next host, and we can’t change that at all.

Also,  we have to accept that any new venue must have a turf course, right?

And, wouldn’t it be nice that all future homes of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships have a professional lighting system?

With those guidelines now being written, let’s get into it:

2024-Del Mar:

Like I wrote, we can’t change the fact that Del Mar will be next year’s host, and that is fine. I think Del Mar is a lot like Keeneland. In other words, an “OK” venue.

2025-Belmont Park:

With the upcoming upgrades to the grandstand, and, soon, to the track, as well, I think this facility is now on an even playing field with the “big boys” in towns.

The turf racing in NY is phenomenal throughout the year. The weather could be a problem, but I think the weather could be a benefit as well. After all, it is early November, and it is supposed to be colder. And, I think that really does provide a good destination for many of the Europeans, who enjoy that type of temperature.

In the end, I just think it would be great for the sport to get back to New York for Breeders Cup. After all, it is New York, New York. The city so nice they named it twice.

2026- Churchill Downs:

This is just logical. Period.

The track can hold it.

The track has proven to always be a good Breeders Cup destination in the past.

And, the weather is always “average” for this time of year.

When it does rain at this time of year, it normally is not a very cold rain.

When it is cold, we normally don’t worry about it freezing.

Overall, the track is centrally located, for the most part and the conditions are “positive” for both horses and humans.

It’s just a logical option. And, a good one, too.

2027 – Hong Kong Sha Tin OR Tokyo Racecourse Japan:

If the NFL can go to Europe, and MLB is massive in Japan…

If the NBA is loved in China, and NASCAR is going into Canada…

If the PGA can go to the UK for the British Open and the Ryder Cup…

I think after all this time, it is time that Breeders’ Cup takes a leap.

Of faith and in destination.

Look, Hong Kong could and would provide some of the largest betting pools in Breeders Cup history. The track there has a perfect surface and a massive capacity for crowds.

Tokyo, on the other hand, has similar positive things to offer, too. The track can hold over 200,000 people. That is even more than what Churchill Downs could offer. And, the track layout offers a long stretch that gives closers a big chance.

Both locales would give the international breeding farms a real shot in the arm.

Worth considering.

2028-Remington Park:

I love their dirt surface. I think they might have the best dirt course of any track on this list. That clay, IMO, gives an equal chance for both horses that offer speed, and for those that come from off the pace. It could be a very balanced experience.

The turf would have to be improved. No question. By November, the grass there is, well, “ehh.” But if they can implement a grass course that can hold up under the weather conditions there at that time of year?

It could turn out to be a fantastic Breeders Cup.

I don’t know how the grandstand and overall seating arrangement would work. I’ve heard a lot of positives, but that isn’t with tens of thousands of people there.

I just think they deserve a chance, and a lot of horse racing fans may love it.

2029-Santa Anita:

From the crazy side back to the backside, there just is not many draw backs here.

Weather? Perfect.

Grandstand views? Perfect.

I don’t like how the turf plays most of the time, and, seemingly, there is a bias to the dirt surface, too, that just plays to speed-oriented horses. But, frankly, I think that has improved a bit.

Just a logical pick.

2030-Gulfstream:

The in-between crazy and safe best option may Gulfstream Park, in and around Miami and close to South Beach parties galore.

The venue should have solid weather.

It’s the East Coast version of Santa Anita.

It’s a little speed-heavy on both grass and dirt, but maybe we could get an all- weather Breeders Cup Thursday there, as well?

At least this track could handle all three, right? That would be interesting.

2031-Keeneland:

A great track, admittedly. It’s always classy and it should be much better after the paddock improvements are completed.

Hopefully, they can hold more people, at some point in time, as well. For me, that is a must. It just feels too crowded there to accommodate that many fans.

The surface has “Zero” complaints. It is just a perfect race track to showcase the perfect horses.

2032-Horseshoe Indianapolis:

This could be a wildcard as well, but why not this track?

Indiana has been trying and improving a lot of things. Every year, the facility gets bigger and better.

And, guess what, the city has a great media presence.

The dirt surface is not my favorite, but the turf?  I actually like it. There are days when it does get a little bit of a speed bias, but there are also days when the closers dominate, too.

It might be a bit too small, right now, for the seating demands, but it could also be a fun track to try something new.

When Caesars’ finally gets the hotel built on location? Watch out.

2033-Fair Grounds:

When I asked this question on Twitter, I never had Fair Grounds in mind, but the first person who said this track I snapped my fingers and said:

“That’s a perfect track for Breeders Cup!”

The new and improved turf course may not have the “closer bias” that I have seen in the past, but that is fine, too.

The dirt can tilt towards speed bias, from time to time.

The long stretch gives all the horses a fair chance, and the long stretch means huge grandstand potential!

The weather can be colder, occasionally, but normally it is not.

I think this could be an interesting track where a BC would work. Plus, this market could be huge! And, New Orleans is always up for a party, right? 

2034-Woodbine:

The last one on the list…

I think Woodbine could be interesting, again.

Going back to the Gulfstream notion, this track has a wonderful AW surface, as well. They have 2 turf courses, both of which have a unique layout. There is a massive grandstand.

The only drawbacks?

It is cold, and there is not a dirt surface, either. They can’t fix the weather. But they have to address the dirt track. If they do that? It could be a time for a return.

Honorable Mentions:

I have seen a lot of these tracks on twitter, and a few are worth considering:

Both Saratoga and Ellis Park could be nice fits, for me, but they would need to be bigger and accommodate more fans and people.

They are also considered to be “Summer Time Tracks,” and vacation destinations for the summer-time crowds. I don’t think I would want to change. 

Canterbury Park could be an option, but the weather is just too unpredictable. Just too.