The race was originally established in 2008 as part of the annual Breeders' Cup World Championships with its inaugural running on October 25, 2008 at a distance of 1+1⁄2 miles as the Breeders' Cup Marathon.

The inaugural running took place on the second day of the Breeders' Cup on the Pro-Ride synthetic dirt at the 2008 host track, Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.

The first year, the race was sponsored by the Las Vegas Tourism Board.

[6] However, the venue that holds the Breeders' Cup has been running the event with separate sponsorship.

[1] In 2024 the event was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Grade III status.