Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

WinnahPickah — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:57:09 GMT

"Monmouth doesn't deserve it."

Geez Louise, talk about beating a dead horse. It rained, get over it!

I would argue that Monmouth '07 slop surface was fairer than Churchill Downs surface in '06, '10, or '11.

I heard CD sealed the track after BC Friday. Is that true?

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

Victoria — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:36:07 GMT

I really think the Breeders' Cup should be rotated among the major tracks, including Woodbine, Lone Star, the Florida tracks, and any other track that is able to handle the crowds.

I have been a horse racing fan for decades, and must say that the proprietary attitude of entitlement on the part of Churchill Downs regarding their regular role in hosting the Cup leaves me feeling a bit hostile. I really dislike it when Churchill Downs hosts the Cup. The track surface is so fluky and weird; you never know which horses will take to it and even those that have run over it well once may not like the way it's dried out or been prepared on the "big day." I also feel sorry for the connections of horses who work all year to prepare these horses for their races, and then it's thrown away at the start as the horse doesn't like the track. This happens once in a while at most tracks, but not with the astonishing regularity as it does at Churchill.

I also agree with those that say there are way too many races now. I would go back to the original races, plus change the dirt female championship race back to the Distaff...it's patronizing and silly to call it the Ladies' Classic. These are horses we're talking about.

I also agree with those who lament the shortening up of the prep races. I really miss the Jockey Club Gold Cup at 1 1/2 miles.

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

The Rock — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 04:46:25 GMT

What's sad is Friday's races are almost an afterthought. And there's no reason why the performances of My Miss Aurelia & Royal Delta should be treated as such. I was disappointed in the BC Juvenile Sprint as well. I'd thought the field would be loaded. Instead it looked like a glorified N2L allowance sans the favorite. Get rid of that race, F&M Turf, F&M Sprint and Dirt Mile. I initially was a big fan of these races when they first came out, but let's face it. These races are taking away from the BC Turf, & BC Sprint. Females have proven they're very capable of holding their own against the males. Let's put some meat on these fields. I'm not a big fan of the juvenile turf races, but they fill up. So I'm OK with that.

Santa Anita rules as a BC venue, although I wouldn't mind one more shot at Hollywood before the inevitable.

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

Bill Two — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:33:10 GMT

Blind Luck, I think you better check out the BC logo - it's billed as a world championship. That's why it's not presumptious to suggest that the event be held at venues outside the USA.

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

TorontoPunter — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 15:14:11 GMT

I am extremely upset with the BC for the lack of information on "adjunct Lasix". Most of the winners were given this medication, and the DRF had nothing in the past performances.

The "Little-Guy" like me, get's burned again. Knowledge is POWER, and the fans were denied access. JUST PLAIN AWFUL.

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

Blind Luck — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:19:03 GMT

I can't afford to go to Kentucky, no matter how much I would love to. SA is where I can attend. So, you are going to get "us" people no matter where it is held. To go to Dubai, Europe or Canada? What is that about? This is about the US and our championships. Really?!!

I love two days of racing. I may not remember certain horses but I love every race. There did seem to be a lot of shorter races this year? I got lost there.

I would love to see more longer races as well. To have the speed and be able to maintain it for 1 1/2-plus miles is absolutely awesome.

My long time dream is to make it to Kentucky, take in some great races and visit farms. OR I could handle doing that in Saratoga some day also. A girl can dream, right?

I'll see you next year with my friends at SA. Yes, I got to see Zenyatta win her Classic and I'll always remember the great "lady" of horse racing. The roar of the crowd when she won was absolutely awesome.

The Breeders' Cup races absolutely ROCK!

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

rednedtugent — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:05:57 GMT

"New York doesn't deserve it."

You are right. It should have read Monmouth doesn't deserve it. Never going back there. I had a great time at CD this year. (third time was the charm) For me, the best place to see the BC has always been Rue Nugent.

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

TXLonghorn — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:10:32 GMT

"New York doesn't deserve it."

That's an interesting comment with no rationale or explanation. I'm sure the East Coast stables that have been and continue to be the backbone of the industry appreciate the notion that their home circuit doesn't deserve racing's richest weekend and that they should be expected to go on the road every year.

What a stupid, throwaway comment.

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

Jennifer in Columbia — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:02:03 GMT

I love Churchill Downs as a venue. Where else can you enjoy morning workouts, visit all the horse farms, and attend the sales? It should also be noted that Churchill Downs has consistently high attendance and handle compared to other tracks.

As you said Tom, when you go out to dinner in the area, you end up talking horses with the locals. I live in a state with no horse racing, so it is astounding to me to be able to go out to dinner and talk horses with my waitress or fellow diners.

Additionally, for selfish reasons, I could not afford to travel to California for the BC, so having the BC in KY allows me to drive for 8.5 hours and attend this wonderful event. I know I am in the minority, but I love the weather at Churchill. Beautiful fall leaves, crisp air: Delightful!

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

JerseyTom — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:01:55 GMT

When you are considering a venue for BC, you have to remember it's not just about the fans. (I hate to say that but it's true.) It's also about BC catering to owners, breeders, high-rollers, etc., and no facility I know of has the dining space/suite areas like Churchill. It's a big factor.

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

JerseyTom — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:00:19 GMT

I'm with Terry M. on marathon/distance races. I've always liked watching and betting them. The problem with such races at the higher class is there aren't that many to serve as preps. Until this changes, we may have to get our fix in the various $5,000 starter races at 2 miles or more several tracks still card each year.

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

Terry M. — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:57:45 GMT

Woodbine has parking for 14,700 vehicles. There is public transit available to the track as well. The largest crowd to date is more than 42,000 people. Actual capacity is not mentioned on its website.

Yes, Churchill is bigger, I will grant you that. Yes, there are slots. That is one reason why the purses at Woodbine are so good! I really think this event needs to go to more than just two tracks.

I think the BC races should all be grade I and some of the races should be dropped. Forget the Juvenile Sprint, the Juvenile Filly Turf and the Dirt Mile. That brings it down to 12 races. The Marathon should be at least 1 3/4 miles if no 2 miles. And the Ladies' Classic needs to be called the Distaff again.

The Marathon is one of my favorite races to watch and I wish it was given more value as a marquee race. We aren't seeing the great handicap horses anymore and maybe it's because so few races are held for them.

Do you know that Kelso still holds the dirt record for 2 miles? He set in in the Jockey Club Gold Cup in 1964! Part of the reason is that hardly any races are held at distances past 1 1/4 miles, never mind 2 miles, these days.

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

Bill Two — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:09:53 GMT

If they would build a dirt or synthetic track at Newmarket or The Curragh or Chantilly it would be neat to stage the BC in Europe for a change. Of course we would get our posteriors handed to us in the turf races, but who knows what would happen on the dirt or synthetic? At least it would be sporting for us to go over there and take our chances for a change. Why should they be the ones always taking the chances?

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

Slew — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:37:33 GMT

I think all the major tracks should rotate the BC. The weather might not always be great, but all the tracks really need help right now to boost their patronage.

And what is it having a Friday card? Why can't they run the BC on Saturday and Sunday? Is the NFL afraid of the competition?

Sorry, no joke. ... The only consistent horse all year has been Rapid Redux. Think of the PR for the smaller tracks and the small-time training operations. What a boost it would be!

Tom: Hit in the chest with a full bottle of beer? What a waste of booze! My kids went to the Renaissance Fair in York, Pa., and in the parking lot they were caught in the crossfire of 2 gun-toting patrons arguing over a bumper sticker (which one of the gun -oters read wrong.)

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

steve from st louis — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 21:34:02 GMT

The Cup should move every year and the committee should include all the mega-tracks: Santa Anita, Churchill, Belmont, Saratoga, Del Mar, Woodbine, Arlington and Lone Star. Also, I'd love to see Dubai and Melbourne get a chance to host.

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

Stevebiscuit — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:18:08 GMT

Santa Anita really is the best BC venue. Churchill was miserable. Could barely see the races, plus there were obnoxious vendors shouting "cold beer!" every 5 seconds in freezing cold weather. Churchill may be historic, but that's about it. I'd take Santa Anita any day.

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

Pedigree Ann — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:01:27 GMT

Izzybeth - Not really since 4 AND UP could run; we used to have the Santa Anita Maturity (aka Strub Stakes) at the Derby distance for the 4YOs, but it's gone now, like most of the other 10-furlong races.

The association with Churchill Downs would make it useful to include 'Derby' in the publicity, that's why I put it that way.

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

Izzybeth — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:21:18 GMT

Pedigree Ann - Wouldn't a 'Derby' for older horses be a Maturity?

I made money on Hansen. Can't believe he didn't receive more press, but I'm very pleased he didn't.

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

Carlos in Cali — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 22:32:22 GMT

How's the parking situation @ CD? I've heard horror stories about having to park miles and miles away then having to catch a shuttle bus. ... Yikes!

Jason, you forgot to mention LA Live & the broads, erra ... women.

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

sidekickflats — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 22:22:48 GMT

I have to agree with Jason on this one. Santa Anita is much better than Churchill Downs for Breeders' Cup. I've been to 3 BCups at Churchill and 3 at Santa Anita and 1 at Hollywood Park. It is easier to actually see the races at Santa Anita. At Churchill, between tote boards and cameras, etc., I might has well be watching from home and I had seats! About froze to death as well.

Santa Anita has easier parking, shorter lines, and did I mention better weather. And a whole lot less cigar smoke being blown in your face the entire day.

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

Jason Shandler — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:45:52 GMT

Couldn't disagree more on the best BC venue. It's Santa Anita by far. The weather is beautiful and the track is much more fan friendly. At CD, unless you have seats you cant see the races. At Santa Anita everyone gets a chance to walk the apron and the layout is much better. Clocker's Corner in the morning. Pasadena at night. Can't beat it. I'd love to see it there every year now that they have dirt again. No brainer. New York doesn't deserve it.

I do agree that the press box situation was a disaster this year. Writers are a complaining bunch to begin with, but you give us this fuel and we'll never hear the end of it again. Rightfully so.

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

saharagold — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:36:59 GMT

No, it's NOT tongue-in-cheek.

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

Carlos in Cali — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:20:41 GMT

2 days worth of 15 BC races is OK with me, it gives the bettor more chances to make money. At my household my buddies and I have had BC Bar-b-ques that spill over into Saturdays's races the last 3 years. Makes for good times and interesting side bets.

BTW: I raked in the dough when Pletcher laid an egg in the BC races. $$ :)

I don't have a problem with a rotating BC site, but I do have a problem with the off-tracks you get. Lone Star Park is also capable of staging it AND they have night racing to boot.

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

barryaksarben — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:38:04 GMT

Here we go again: If you want to re-energize the sport it must move the Breeders' Cup EVERY year, I want it in Texas, Florida, and Canada, This, with local advertising, could open up the sport to people who aren't exposed to it.

On a personal level I was thrilled that Stephanie's Kitten won as I made money on her and felt so good about it I bet my hunch in the next race which I hadn't planned on doing and made a ton on Musical Romance then had a very nice dinner on my winnings.

re: Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

josh — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:33:23 GMT

My biggest problems with what happened over Breeders' Cup weekend:

The track.

No pace in the Distaff for Ultra Blend to run at.

Castellano's bad ride on Union Rags.

Court Vision running the race of his life.

Oh, Did I mention Castellano's bad ride? Yeah, that too. Hahaha.

The 3-track rotation is nice, but I think they should throw in a small track every now and then.