Breeders’ Cup back to Arcadia 2016?

Breeders’ Cup will make an unprecedented announcement early Tuesday setting the location of the two-day global competition for the next three years.

According to early unconfirmed reports in USA Today, among others, that schedule is expected to include a return trip to Santa Anita Park in 2016 after only a one-year absence next year. The event at Santa Anita this Oct. 31 & Nov. 1, 2014, will mark a never-before third consecutive hosting of the event at the same venue.

According to reports, next year’s event will be held at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, with a first-ever staging of Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in San Diego in 2017.

The formal announcement and details will be revealed at a media breakfast event tomorrow/Tuesday morning, June 24, at Clockers’ Corner at Santa Anita Park, with Santa Anita Park President Tom Ludt, Arcadia Mayor John Wuo, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, and Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith on hand. Breeders’ Cup Vice President of Media & Entertainment Peter Rotondo was also previously announced to be in attendance.

Last year Breeders’ Cup attendance at Santa Anita was nearly 59,000 on the main Saturday race day, with about 36,000 on the first Friday competition day.

— By Scott Hettrick