LEXINGTON, Ky., July 20 (UPI) -- The first set of 2004 World Thoroughbred Rankings that comprise the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships were announced Tuesday, in Lexington, Ky.
An international panel of racing officials will produce weekly rankings for the world's top 10 thoroughbred runners in each division through Oct. 12 based on the horses' performances. The rankings are used to help determine starting positions in the Breeders' Cup.
The 21st Breeders' Cup consists of eight races with purses and awards totaling $14 million. It will be Oct. 30 at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Initial rankings, from race results through July 18, reflect the Nextel Distaff, Filly & Mare Turf, NetJets Mile, John Deere Turf, Sprint and the Dodge Classic divisions. The Bessemer Trust Juvenile and Juvenile Fillies divisional rankings begin later in the summer.
Smarty Jones, winner of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, is the Dodge Classic leader pointing to the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic.
