On Thursday, it was announced that Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, already set to host the 2008 Breeders' Cup World Championships, has also been selected to host it again in 2009. Following a lengthy review process by the Breeders' Cup Host Site Selection Committee which involved discussions with multiple racing venues in different regions, Santa Anita was recommended to the Breeders' Cup Board of Directors which unanimously approved the selection.

"We are pleased that Breeders' Cup has placed this confidence in Oak Tree and our Santa Anita management team to host the Breeders' Cup in consecutive years," said Sherwood Chillingworth, executive vice president of the Oak Tree Racing Association. "We're delighted to be selected again. 2008 will be the third time that I have been involved in the hosting of a Breeders' Cup and I never tire of it."

2009 will mark the fifth time the Oak Tree Racing Association will host the Championships, having hosted in 1986, 1993, 2003, and 2008. "We are excited about the prospect for consecutive years in America's second largest media market. Santa Anita is a fantastic venue and the Oak Tree Racing Association has been a great partner during our 25-year history," said Bill Farish, chairman of Breeders' Cup Ltd. The 2009 Championships will be held on Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7.

While this is the first time the event will be held at the same site two years running, the Breeders' Cup has been in the same market in consecutive years. Three of the first four Breeders' Cup events were held in southern California, beginning in 1984 at Hollywood Park, at Santa Anita in 1986 and again at Hollywood Park in 1987.

Greg Avioli, president and CEO of Breeders' Cup Limited confirmed that this announcement does not indicate a permanen change to a consecutive year format. He said, "We will pursue discussions for the 2010 Breeders' Cup and years beyond with Churchill Downs, Del Mar and the New York Racing Association, among others."

By Cindy Pierson Dulay, About.com