my handle is Seabird

This will be fun

I'm glad they're slowly introducing the 1 and 1/2 mile back into the mix. That is the easily the best thing they have done, in my opinion.

However it doesn't outweigh putting it at Santa Anita 2 YEARS IN A ROW.

Awful. And on polytrack. So all those California horses have the advantage and we get no definite answers. I hope the new polytrack installment comes up sour, too. [Not to put anyone in danger. Just to have it on dirt. :(]

Yes it is going to be interesting, espeically since Notional won the Salvator Mile and he's very notional about not liking synthetic track. His connections thought they had him finally figured out when they took him off synthetics and turf and put him on dirt and watched finally him go. So it's Win and He's In, and we'll see who comes up to beat him at Santa Anita's synthetic track.

my handle is mangosteen......let's get started

Should be fun.   My handle is roc525.

New distance focus will be a great boon to breeding in America, but two years of Santa Anita synthetic will leave turf races as only hope to see real championship events.

lol thats awesome. i forgot to play this weekend...i woulda picked precious passion tho...oh well

my name is ILOVEBIGBROWN (although dont think ill pick him anymore)

Only after marrying a man who grew up and went to college on "Tobacco Road" did I get interested in participating in these sort of virtual betting games (and you can imagine how much it annoyed him that my first year in an NCAA pool I beat him!! :) ) At any rate, my username is FSF, and I look forward to seeing how we all do here.

For the record, I had both Notional and Presious Passion Saturday!

Can anyone tell me why Santa Anita 2 years in a row?  Even before Big Brown's problems at the Belmont and the announcement that Curlin would race overseas in the Arc (and possible the Irish Stakes), there was no way these two were going to face-off on poly in the Classic.

I'm always excited to see more races. I'm not so excited to see all the fillies and mares race on "female" day. Nothing says "first class" like Friday. I'll get my accountant on my sick days and have my lawyer mail my wife a letter explaining how it's all equal. The filly and mare turf has always been one of my favorite races: Ouija Board, Islington, and many others. Now I won't see it live.

I'm not happy about Santa Anita either, but the S. Cal stats show significant gains in horse safety. I'd like to see them put up against the stats of some of the really good dirt track, however, to get the best comparison.  

Sure, synthetic tracks have their pros, such as decreased numbers of breakdowns on front legs, but they've led to INCREASED injuries in the hind legs.  Stick with dirt tracks and quit drugging the horses...forget about synthetic tracks

16 days to go before Saratoga opens up and I am psyched! Got my reservations and my seats.  Even the cancellation of "Bobblehead Day" cannot dampen my spirits at this point.

While any mention of choosing a handle always has me racing to get dibs on "Ilsa - She-Wolf of the S.S.", I think that I will go for the simpler, Curmudgeon.

My handle name is NIATROSS.I have really grown to dislike the poly tracks and am becoming more of just a turf bettor.I also had both of the place horses.

Great to have a second day, except it's on FRIDAY and real people work...why not Sunday? I also noticed the girls run on Friday, so I guess that's putting the females in their place, the day less people will be watching.

With regard to Rachel's complaint, the answer is pro football.  On Sundays during NFL season, NTRA probably could not get the air time.  I know having major races on Friday is tough on people who work (lucky I don't), but hey, if you really like the girls maybe it's worth a vacation day.  

Jason,

I get my high speed back tomorrow, hope, and will give sign up for handle then. can't deal with the dial.

Hate to admit it but Benny looks far the best in the Smile, can't be a chalker though contrarian pick Man of Danger (hey there's a good handle, my nickname) Princess Rooney also anti chalk on Dream Rush, maybe Dougie and Mistical Plan. Will come back with the handle when I have my HS email back.

Rachel, I agree with us girls getting pushed to the Friday. One of my favorite races in the BC is the Juvenile fillies, a lot of the time they beat the boys times. Still working on my picks and my handle, decisions, decisions.

   I don't see the issue with having the "all girls" day on Friday.  First off, I think it's great that the Breeders Cup has added additional races and spread their product out over 2 days.  Last year's addition of the F&M Sprint and Juvenile Turf were absolutely great.  My personal favorite addition was the F&M Sprint because we have seen some pretty good F&M sprinters be forced to either miss the BC, run against the boys in the sprint or try to go 2 turns in the Distaff.  Case in point was Lady Tak in 2003.  The F&M Sprint would have been taylor made for her, but the connections were forced to try her in the Distaff, despite knowing she was a true 1 turn horse and she failed miserably.  Second, all the biggest races are run on Saturday and since the Classic is the supposedly the king of them all, that card has to be run on Saturday (even though I think the Distaff will be a much better race this year).  If they didn't, it would kind of be like running the Derby on a Friday and the Oaks on Saturday or running the Derby on Sunday, neither of which seem very appealing.  The KY Oaks is run on Friday and still draws over 100,000 and the handle is pretty hefty so why can't the girls do the same thing in the Breeders Cup on Friday when the overall racing is better?  Their only other option would be to mix and match the races, but then you wouldn't have an "all girls" day, which personally I like.  How about having 12 total Breeders Cup races, putting them on 1 day and having 2 Pick 6 sceanrios.  Crazy I know, but imagine the money flying around that day.

    However, I am in the same boat as everyone else when it comes to the dislike of having the BC at Santa Anita 2 years in a row.  I hate polytrack and in my opinion, this might be the year since Curlin is going overseas, Big Brown is unproven over poly and nobody else stands out in the male handicap division that a foreign horse takes the BC Classic.  I would hate that more than I hate polytrack!  I personally would love the BC to rotate every three years from out East (Belmont), then the Midwest (Churchill) and finally out West (Santa Anita).  I think that would be the most ideal situation, but I don't make the decisions.

    Anyway, I'm looking forward to this blog Jason.  If it's anything like your TC blog it will be a huge success.  Keep up the good work.

Sorry Jason I have to pass. I'm just to busy at work right now (12 hour days). It sucks big time,however I will follow the comments when I can drag my poor tired body over to the computer.One comment tho my fav Dennis of Cork is out for 60 days with a hairline fracture. Bummer ! On the up side Curlin may be entered in a turf stake. I hope it's the Man o'War,cross your fingers.

Though I'm not the biggest fan of synthetic tracks,I think it's a helluva' lot better than having these Championship races back East where you'll surely get awful racing surfaces,as always.And "Female Friday" is just plain stupid!..either have the races on Sat.&Sun. or consecutive Saturdays,or..best case scenario(ala the Sunshine Millions races),split the races evenly,1/2 on the West Coast,1/2 on the East Coast on the same day.That way racing outfits have a choice where to best enter their charges..and I agree that this is going in the right direction as far as generating more positive publicity for the sport.Just my thoughts on the matter...bbl with my handle,though I think I'll stick with Slew.em.All..catchy ain't it? Peace..

I don't like the Friday girls deal either but I got lost just reading Slews plan, although I love your handle. I just hope they can figure out the surface at SA before the BC, another new surface after last years debacle. And Curlin I think what a lot of us don't like is so many work on Friday that it won't showcase the fillies and mares. Some of the girls are absolutely amazing and I would like everyone to see how great they are. Yes those of us who are big fans can take off work and if we're going we will be there for both days. It's just the fans that watch on TV who will miss out.

My handle will be AdamsTurf =)

Smile: Benny the Bull obviously, but I think that Blue Pepsi Lodge, Indian Chant, and Man of Danger are contenders to upset

Rooney: Miraculous Miss with Mistical Plan,Dream Rush and Casino Transaction having a chance

I also don't think that Santa Anita should be getting two BC's in a row. If your going to go to So Cal for two years, then have one of the two years go to Del Mar or Hollywood. Also, I think Saratoga should get the BC after the trip to So Cal since it like Del Mar is one of the top tracks in the country.

My first Breeders' Cup was 1998 at Churchill Downs and there was then a section of first come, first serve seats.  The past years have seen increasing prices for all-including poor-seats, now over two days.  Soaking the fan base-in a betting sport-won't build interest.  And no way I'll fly two years in a row to California.  Thanks for the memories of great Cups at Churchill, Belmont, Arlington, Gulfstream(RIP) and a hot Santa Anita in 2003.

This seems like it will be a lot of fun.  My handle for the game is Aristides77.

Katsan, point taken & understood.  I work on Fridays as well, but I take a vacation day every year and go to the KY Oaks with the masses and it is well worth it, trust me.  I'll do the same for the girls in the BC this year only I will be doing simulcast instead of watching it in person.  Don't you people have sick days in the bank or are we playing hooky too early in the year?:)

    As for Slew.em.all, your idea of splitting the races in the same day over 2 tracks is crazier than my idea of having 12 races on 1 day.  I think splitting the races at 2 tracks would tick off the owners, trainers, jockeys, etc. because it would force them to make decisions.  Interesting.

Jason whats up cuz? Your homeboy from Philly here Johnny Mas.

The BC Challenge, I love it to! Most of all it keeps you in tune with many of the horses that will run in the Breeders Cup. If this year AMONG ALL OTHERS hasn't taught us all that "there is no sure thing in racing!" I picked the two favorites in the July 5th schedule of the BC Challenge and they both took a "fish hook". I'm going back to the old days and start handicapping each G1 or G2 races for 3 hours and look at EVERY ANGLE. No more "locks" must treat this with the head not the heart. Regardless this game like poker is for the people that have IRON PATIENTANCE. It can and has been beat by me and others for years but been putting to much weight on certain angles instead of all the angles the last 2 years.

The Breeders Cup with all the new races on both days give us all a very good chance at winning big money. I'm gonna key on 3 races each day with a bankroll of 1.000g's for each day. I think the BC Challenge even though I won't make real bets on most will give me better insight on many horses who I normally wouldn't see.

My handle is Huh.

Hey Jason, I don't have a handle yet however I'm still tryin' to get a handle on what my handle will be! I think the fact the B.C. is adding more race is splintering the divisions, making the choice for year end honors tough in some cases not counting the juvenile or Juvie fillies on dirt. Eventually I think you'll see more horse going in preferred distances/surfaces thereby eliminating some tasty matchups in some cases. I can see adding the filly & mare turf however the dirt mile? In my opinion, by splitting the B.C. over two days dilutes the prestige of the races. Kind of like when NYRA decided to spread out the Spa's meet from 24 days to 5 and a half weeks. If they want to add races, sure go ahead and write some $100,000 added money events to get the card started like they did in '84 or at the end of the card to generate money at the windows.

Curlin,yes I know it sounds tricky,but my observation was from the Sunshine Millions stand-point,in which they race Cal-breds vs. Fla-breds on both coasts,same day,rotating races on each coast.It's a big hit here in So.Cal & Fla..and you get your choice of Synthetic or Dirt tracks.Yes it might tick some people off,but it'll also allow very capable,low-profile,locally based jockeys an opportunity to pick-up "live" mounts,and showcase their talents..All I want is: to see All the BC races on the same damn day.Just my thoughts..Peace!

Personally, I'm not a big fan of the new changes. Most of the divisons are pointless, the 2 day thing makes it impossible to watch the whole thing if you have work, and Ladies Day was a bad. bad idea. Also, holding the Cup at SA for two years in a row, on polytrack no less, was also very dumb. However, the BC Challenge was a good idea, although I wish it would expand to places like Austrailia, Japan, and South America. Tell me what you think.

Jason, I think what the ladies are saying and my girlfriend said the same thing, that the hard core fans will watch it come h@#$ or highwater, but don't you think we need to try and attract some new fans if even the casual viewer who only watches the TC series and the BC? The other thing is I like the expansion to Europe and I think Japan is already included in the Challenge but I personally hope they don't take the BC championship days to other countries, there's been some vague rumors about that. Maybe that's selfish on my part but they already have their own championships over there and most Americans won't get to enjoy it and I think it will fade out here. I also don't think you'll see a lot of US horses going over there, you don't see it right now. That's why Curlin has a lot of people excited.

Curlin, I usually go to the BC and definitely will at SA, it's not that far away. Trust me I don't work in a bank (?) LOL, although I'm a frequent customer there. I just agree with Jordan's girlfriend about attracting some viewers and we'll hope all goes well. I think part of racings PR problem is we come off as an elitist organization and it's well known that we're very cliquish, stick together and shut out what a lot consider outsiders. That's why you see it as a generational thing, marrying within the industry and stuff like that. The only place it seems to carry outside of is to rodeo, and there are a lot of folks who are in both like Ty Murray's dad Butch was a starter, Tuff Hedeman's dad Red was a Valet, Cody Lamberts dad is a trainer, brother is a jockey, Carl Nafzger and Lukas rodeod. Rodeo people are a clique too. Maybe because we all understand the difficulties involved in the time travel and time spent away from families. Sorry for being so long winded.

Huh, HUH? Saratoga is a beautiful track, in a summer resort town. Everybody would have to sell the homestead to stay there or stay a distance away and what about enough room for a ton of fans, the logistics would probably be a nightmare just my opinion. Del Mar, that track was pathetic last year. The moisture killed the track and folks were mad and leaving there like the lemmings out to sea. Santa Anita has good attendance, good weather but I'm worried about the fires and the severe heat out here,not to mention the new track. Churchill and Belmont have the best attendance but Churchill said they didn't want it, I guess now they've changed their minds not sure.

Curlin, Did you mean PTO, that's what it's called out here in the wild west. Not much of that in your own business, not much time off period, but I do the BC, when it's close and others.

Someone mentioned Del Mar for a Breeder's Cup.  My brother says yes, it is for sure possible, yet someone I shared a box with at Churchill Downs for the 2006 Breeder's Cup said there was no way because the turf course is not wide evough.  Any thoughts?

Hmmm...call in sick on a Friday and lie...hmmm...since I'm the boss and don't appreciate that from others...I'll pass.

Mix it up and put it on Sunday!!

Hey, Dirt Tracks Forever--

I know Jason is going to rip us for talking about racing surfaces we have no control over, but the very early evidence does suggest we may be trading one set of problems, front end issues, particularly fracture-related ones, on the dirt, for problems with tendons, ligaments and soft tissue issues arising more frequently when on the synthetics, and perhaps more prone to the rear as you suggest.

If synthetics are used, I sure prefer the Tapeta on the training track up at Fair Hill, MD. Sure would have enjoyed having Eight Belles training up there in the new barn Larry Jones has at Fair Hill housing his stable. RIP, Girlie.

Synthetic racing surfaces MAY ultimately prove to be part of the solution, but the jury still very much out on that one. Getting horses back on hay, oats, and water, and 30 years worth of stronger breeding practices should not be discounted, as you wisely suggest.

As for me, I prefer the turf, period, hence one of the reasons why I enjoy the BC.

Wonder what Curlin will think of the stuff? Will he run on it or try to graze on it? :-) Based on breeding and his temperment first time out training on it, have to like his chances-- his Sire, Smart Strike, has sent a number to the turf, including, as I recall, English Channel....

Does anybody know when you can actually get on the BC Challenge website and make picks for this weekend? When I log in, all I see is last weekend' races. Am I in the wrong part of the website? Thanks!

Now we have enough divisions to allow each horse to run their best distance.  If only we had 2 days at 2 surfaces, we would get best horses in both distance and surface  on 2 tracks on 2 coasts; attendance and handle up-instead of money wasted and travel.

I'm DowninMS.  Looking forward to this weekend.

Does anyone else feel like I do about the Breeder Cup Tickets this year?

I read that horse racing is losing fans left and right. I plan my one vacation around the Breeders Cup for the past 10yrs. I have to budget to save for this so this year if anyone wants to have a seat they have to buy two days of seats.......This means to the average person taking a day off from work, (or a vacation day) an extra day hotel expense, rental car, food. I like to gamble when I go to the track and I am sorry but I find this pushing the ever day track visitor away from going to the Best Day of Horse Racing.

Personally I love visiting Santa Anita so 2 years in arow is fine with me but to ask fans even that live in Ca to take a day off if you want to have a seat is just not fair.....

Breeders Cup would not force a horse owner to race his horse in the Turf in order to race his horse in the Classic.

I am very disappointed that Breeders Cup there decision to make the patron buy seat tickets for two days.

Thank Goodness for online Betting!

Still no HS, have blown up 2 or 3 posts already.

Jason, isn't Tapeta Michael Dickinsons deal?

Aluminot, As far as Del Mar, the main track was like running through the deepest sand on the beach in the afternoons, great in the a.m. ocean dampness made the track uneven and no one could tell from a.m. to p.m. how it would play and how the horses would do. Turf course I think is 7F with a chute to  1/16 so not too sure how that would play.

Bryce, I read so much by eventers that I looked it up think you are the one who has a horse by that name saw your finishes on their site, good work though I'm not familiar with it per se anybody who's a winner gets kudos.

Carla, I don't think it's filling the track on BC days that the powers that be worry about (although last year wasn't very good). Most of the big races have waiting lists, draws and such for the tickets. I think it's the day to day and tv viewers, simulcasts that they're going after. Correct me if you think I'm wrong Jason

FSF, think they were waiting for the entries. Maybe later today, I couldn't get in either.

FSF, sorry I forgot to write that its 48 hrs prior to the race at the earliest I believe. Didn't get in for last week.

I know this is about the Breeder's Cup,  but they just put Champion 2 yr. old Vindication down because of colic.  This is so upsetting,  wasn't he the last son of Seattle Slew.? What a major loss to the industry, and he was only 8 years old.

Jason, you are right on that part. But my concern is also that they are closing down racetrack due to lack of interest in attending. I did not go to last years due to a few reason.....one being I was told if I had an outside seat and it rains I had no access to the inside for shelter. Since the seats were a little higher priced prior years and to me paying 150 to 200 to stand in the rain did not appeal to me I didn't go.....I do not think the BC/Monmouth Park handle the Event together as a team...But the two days of racing is great just I do not think they should make it mandatory to buy two days of seats.

We usually do get the best of seats but I am happy to have a seat at these events.

Racing is looking to get people interested in the sport and bring them in my point was this is more of a way to push the fans they have away.

Its just a thought......I have been honored or lucky enough to meet many owners, trainers of these horses and find them all to be amazingly great wonderful nice people.

JordanA:

To me Saratoga would be ideal for a BC for the following reasons:

1. unlike you said there aren't only farmers there, there are city people and plus there are many surrounding cities within a half hour of the track with decent hotels and many open rooms

2. Central New York horse racing fans like me would have a chance to go to a BC without traveling over 1,000 miles

Two more thoughts on my part:

1. Del Mar's track although it is terrible, I'm pretty sure there renovating it so it will be more like Santa Anita and Hollywood

2. Vindication's death absolutely stunned me since he was only 8 and plus many horses today live after having colic surgery (like Stormello last year).

Zenyatta on Friday...I'm there!  The down hill turf course for classic distances at S.A. is equally as funky as Del Mar's "infield shoot." Del Mar's synthetic is awfully slow...Both tracks are simply beautiful and very photogenic for T.V. Hollywood Park I think hosted the first BC but it was long before synthetics (Not sure what type it runs...some kind of crumbly white stuff) and the physical location of the track is less than stellar.  

Huh? I didn't say it was a farm town. I SAID you would have to sell the homestead it is such an expensive place to stay. That means you would have to sell your assets, property etc. It was sarcasm. Del Mar, have you been there since they put the new track in? It is holding moisture from the Ocean which is very close. They never did figure it out just like Santa Anita who lost like 11 days. They are a bit further inland and look they're replacing the whole thing, but I don't think DelMar will ever take moisture. Never been to Saratoga in the late fall, isn't it kind of rainy, cold and a lot like Belmont and Monmouth as far as weather that time of year?

HH actually Hollywood has the track figured out better than the other two. They've agred to stay open one more year but my personal guess is they won't be here after that especially if the housing market rebounds, developere right?

I don't know about you but I usually have to wear a wet suit in the ocean at Del Mar that time of year and the track was just way too unpredictable and they didn't ever seem to get it right from what I heard. I don't think the downhill will affect the Euro's do you? they have stuff like that over there from what I've heard from my Irish grandad. I threw a shoe so to speak broke a leg but they didn't have to put me down. I'm just down and out right now and bummed. Will probably sign off for a while, you folks have fun.

One last thing before I go, katsan. That was a very interesting commentary on racing and the closed circle. Most of the people are friendly, have clients from all walks but you're right. A lot of trainers are married to daughters of trainers etc. I know a long time ago they used to really close ranks and shut people out, and didn't like 'outsiders' coming into the game. Do you think it's as bad now as it used to be years ago? HH you're right about Vindication, sad.

Jordan, Sorry to hear about your leg, get well soon hope no surgery. could tell you were a little out of it that time of the morning , pain and your spelling was a little off. Yes you are right, remember how the Blue Bloods stonewalled Lukas when he came in? Not so bad when he first came into it full time at Sunland Park and Ruidoso but back then NO one married outside the game and fathers, sons etc passed down training, jockeying and ownership.

It is sad about Vindication, we had a 2 year old did the same thing so did her brother who was an early favorite for the All American Futurity a long time ago, once they rupture the gut it's over (0urs ripped her spleen loose). I had a mare colic yesterday, is okay but the interesting vet take on it is like migraines, barometric pressure changes can cause colic, interesting and it's been raining here.

Sure wish I knew a thing or two about betting and handicapping. I would play this game. But I wouldn't know where to start. Good luck to all of you. You all seem so knowledgable. Its fun to watch who each of you will pick and why.

Glad to see the comments about Vindication. I was very saddened to hear of his death. Its hard to remember that these majestic, powerful animals are so very fragile. RIP Vindication.

Karen2 just do like most (not the heavy duty handicappers like Jason and Jordan and a couple others) but we just take our best guess. It's fun, it's free. And I just forgot my handle, password etc am looking for where I wrote it down and trying to remember which of the pc's I used when I did it. See anyone, even a scatterbrain like me can do it if it's just for fun. Off to search.

A few thoughts of mine about synthetic tracks. From what I've read and heard from horseman that have run at Woodbine,you do have to train a bit differint.The track plays fair meaning there is no speed bias.You don't need to shoe with toe grabs which in MY opinion should be outlawed.They cause more injuries to the front end than anything.When we ran horses in the 80's we shod them with outer rims.Would I trade catastrophic break downs for soft tissue injuries? Yes in a heart beat.I agree with you all about Santa Anita 2 years in a row.What about Woodbine? It hosted BC once. They have a Grade/Group One turf course that is world class and a facility that can hold the media and masses.Why are they shut out every year,any opinions on that people?

Just read that toe grabs cannot be used at racetracks in Kentucky. The decision made by the racing commision is the right one.Good for them,do whats best for the rider and the horse.

Joining late, but my Challenge name is Dandy Lane.

Wish we all could get points for a show too. .