Breeders' Cup 2015: Weekend Race Schedule, Prize-Money Info and More

One of the nation's most historic thoroughbred tracks welcomes one of horse racing's biggest events this year, as Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky, plays host to the 2015 Breeders' Cup. The action kicks off on Friday, October 30 at 3:30 p.m. ET with the one-mile Juvenile Turf and wraps up Saturday afternoon with the Breeder's Cup Classic, in which Triple Crown winner American Pharoah will attempt to add one more chapter to his legendary story. 

The complete schedule is as follows:

Race:	Post Time:	Distance:	Age:	Prize Money:
Juvenile Turf	3:30 p.m ET, October 30	1 Mile	2	$1,000,000
Last Vegas Dirt Mile	4:10 p.m ET, October 30	1 Mile	3+	$1,000,000
Juvenile Fillies Turf	4:50 p.m ET, October 30	1 Mile	2	$1,000,000
Longines Distaff	5:35 p.m ET, October 30	1 and 1/8 Miles	3+	$2,000,000
14 Hands Winery Juvenile Fillies	12:05 p.m ET, October 31	1 and 1/16 Mils	2	$2,000,000
Turf Sprint	12:45 p.m ET, October 31	5.5 Furloughs	3+	$1,000,000
Filly and Mare Sprint	1:25 p.m ET, October 31	7 Furloughs	3+	$1,000,000
Filly and Mare Turf	2:10 p.m ET, October 31	1 and 3/16 Miles	3+	$2,000,000
Twinspires Sprint	2:50 p.m ET, October 31	6 Furloughs	3+	$1,500,000
Mile	3:30 p.m ET, October 31	1 Mile	3+	$2,000,000
Sentient Jet Juvenile	4:10 p.m ET, October 31	1 and 1/16 Miles	2	$2,000,000
Longines Turf	4:50 p.m ET, October 31	1 and 1/2 Miles	3+	$3,000,000
Classic	5:35 p.m ET, October 31	1 and 1/4 Miles	3+	$5,000,000

The Breeders' Cup is the final big-time thoroughbred event of the year and always draws its share of attention. But there is an entire extra level of excitement this year, thanks to American Pharoah's memorable spring. By collecting the first Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978, the bay has already written one of 2015's biggest sports stories. 

Following the only loss of his career in August at the Travers Stakes in Saratoga, New York, American Pharoah will be attempting to retire as a winner in Lexington. 

The Breeders' Cup's own Twitter account put out this photo of American Pharoah looking strong in his warm-ups:

Another tweet by Racing Post emphasized the horse's unique, pop-star status:

However, after dominating the field at the Preakness, Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, America's favorite horse can expect some stiffer competition as he faces a field of horses that are three years old and up.

Not only will he face longtime rival Keen Ice, who topped him in Saratoga, but he'll also be up against two-time Breeders' Cup winner Beholder. Honor Code, sired by the great A.P. Indy and grand-sired by the immortal Seattle Slew, will also be in the field.

In earlier eras, horse racing was among the nation's biggest sports. Thanks to American Pharoah, we've been able to experience a small rebirth of that in 2015. That amazing run will come to completion next weekend in the Bluegrass State.