BC reverses decision to suspend supplements

By Matt Hegarty
The Breeders' Cup has reversed a decision to suspend a program providing supplements to stakes purses in 2009, the organization announced on Wednesday.
In a statement, Breeders' Cup chairman William Farish Jr. said that the board reconsidered the decision to suspend the program because of complaints from "a number of leading nominators and trustees" since the suspension was announced on Friday.
"Given the economic circumstances of our breeders and with our goal of being responsive to our nominators, we have listened and have authorized a portion of the Breeders' Cup reserve funds be made available to maintain the stakes program in 2009," Farish said in the statement.
The Breeders' Cup will announce the specific allocations for the program in early 2009, according to the statement.
The program provided $5 million in supplements spread over 100 stakes at 40 racetracks in 2008. The program has been in existence for 13 years