Breeders' Cup released April 8 the 2024 schedule for the Breeders' Cup Dirt Dozen, an incentive-based participation bonus program for horsemen pointing runners to dirt races in the Breeders' Cup World Championships.
Launched in 2022, the 12-race program is comprised of existing graded stakes races scheduled from May-October at six tracks throughout the United States.
"We are happy to once again offer our lucrative Dirt Dozen program," said Dora Delgado, executive vice president and chief racing officer of Breeders' Cup. "Each year $525,000 is offered in awards, and many horsemen benefit from the credits offered towards entry fees for our championship dirt races. We look forward to extending this incentive once again to connections preparing for a dirt division race at Del Mar this November."
The Dirt Dozen program will again award bonus credits funded by the Breeders' Cup for first through third finishes in the 12-race schedule. Horsemen may use those credits toward entry fees for one of six Breeders' Cup World Championships dirt races: the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), and the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).
In Dirt Dozen races in the $2 million Breeders' Cup race divisions, the bonus tier is allocated at $30,000 for first, $15,000 for second, and $7,500 for third. In Dirt Dozen races in the $1 million Breeders' Cup race divisions, the bonus tier will award $15,000 for first, $7,500 for second, and $3,750 for third. Horses may bankroll multiple awards earned and apply towards their championship entry fees.
2024 Dirt Dozen Races by Division
Dirt Mile
- San Diego Handicap (G2), July 27 at Del Mar, 1 1/16 miles
- Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3), Aug. 17 at Monmouth Park, 1 1/16 miles
Distaff
- Fleur De Lis Stakes (G2), June 29 at Churchill Downs, 1 1/8 miles
- Zenyatta Stakes (G2), Sept. 29 at Santa Anita Park, 1 1/16 miles
Filly & Mare Sprint
- Derby City Distaff (G1), May 4 at Churchill Downs, seven furlongs
- Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G3), Aug. 25 at Del Mar, 6 1/2 furlongs
Juvenile
- Del Mar Futurity (G1), Sept. 8 at Del Mar, seven furlongs
- Iroquois Stakes (G3), Sept. 14 at Churchill Downs, one mile
Juvenile Fillies
- Spinaway Stakes (G1), Aug. 31 at Saratoga Race Course, seven furlongs
- Pocahontas Stakes (G3), Sept. 14 at Churchill Downs, one mile
Sprint
- Maryland Sprint Stakes (G3), May 18 at Pimlico Race Course, six furlongs
- Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2), Sept. 28 at Santa Anita Park, six furlongs
