The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has announced a
partnership with Betfair TVG that includes the creation of the Betfair TVG
Triple Tiara,
comprising the Acorn S. (G1), Coaching Club American Oaks (G1)
and Alabama S. (G1).
If a filly is able to win all three prestigious Grade 1 races, Betfair TVG
will present her
owners with a $50,000 bonus to go the charity of their choice. Since 1931, the
first year
that all three races existed, only five fillies have been able to pull off the
sweep: Sky
Beauty (1990), Open Mind (1989), Mom’s Command (1985), Shuvee (1969) and Top
Flight (1932).
“It’s fitting that our first major sponsorship in New York should be for
fillies races,”
TVG CEO Stephen Burn said. “Ten years ago Betfair’s first ever betting market was on
the
Oaks (Eng-G1) at Epsom, when we had only 36 customers. A decade on and now with three
million
customers, it is thrilling to realize an ambition by being able to support races
for fillies in
the United States.”
All three legs of the Triple Tiara will be broadcast live on the
TVG network,
starting with the Acorn on Belmont Stakes Day, June 5.
“We’re thrilled to announce this partnership with Betfair TVG,” NYRA
President
and CEO Charles Hayward said. “It is a cutting edge, innovative company that has
enjoyed
tremendous success on both the national and international stage. The Betfair TVG
Triple Tiara will add a lot of excitement to what should be a sensational spring and
summer of
racing in New York.”
This year will be the inaugural running at Saratoga Race Course of the
Coaching Club American Oaks, scheduled for July 24. The race has
previously
been run at Belmont Park, going back to the first running in 1917. This year
will be the
93rd running. The final leg of the Triple Tiara will be the 130th running of
the Alabama at Saratoga on August 21. Not only the oldest leg of the
series,
it is also the longest, run at 1 1/4 miles.
If a filly does not sweep the series, Betfair TVG will give $30,000 to the
chosen charity
of the owners of the filly who accumulates the most points over the three
races, based on a
10-5-3 system for horses finishing first, second or third, respectively, with
all starters,
including the first three finishers, getting an additional point. The tiebreaker
is wins, and
if it is still tied, the bonus will be evenly shared among the fillies with the
most points.
At the conclusion of the three races, Betfair TVG will also donate $10,000 to
The Breast
Cancer Research Foundation on behalf of NYRA.