The biggest event on the thoroughbred calendar just got even bigger – again.

After the success of the expanded two-day version of the 2007 Breeder’s Cup at Monmouth Park, the 2008 event at Santa Anita will see three more races added to the lineup: the $1-million Turf Sprint, the $1-million Juvenile Filly Turf, and the $500,000 Dirt Marathon. This trio will be run on Friday, Oct. 24.

The Sprint will be run at Santa Anita’s El Camino Real hillside course, but the Marathon (1-1/2 miles) might prove to be the most interesting addition to the Breeders’ Cup. An advisory panel has recommended to Cup officials that they establish a series of 12-furlong races as a warm-up for the Marathon.

There are a small handful of these longer stakes races in North America – the Belmont being the most famous. No doubt some of these recommended Marathon preps will become part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge. The more, the merrier.