Time to Change BC Friday Format

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

Margaret Ann — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 20:57:51 GMT

A future Friday sounds fine. Giving the Distaff back it's true title would be great.

I still feel there are too many races in the Breeder's Cup. Yes, under the "old" system, some horses were not running at their best distance. I never thought of Cherokee Run as a Sprinter, but, Wow, he did sprint, won and received an Eclipse for it.

I feel that the BC folks are trying to make a spot for everyone at the table and the table is getting overly crowded. I don't work anymore so I don't care what day the BC races are run, I'll watch anytime. Sundays could be hard on my marriage though.

Lastly, I hope the BC folks DO NOT decide to run the races at one track premanently. I would like to see it go back to Woodbine or Lone Star again sometime. My favorite site has always been Belmont, it would be nice to see it at Monmouth without rain also.

Ah, such dreams are made.

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

melanchthon — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 17:02:11 GMT

I like the filly friday. I would not change it.

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

Slew — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 23:49:01 GMT

I haven't been on line for a week, so forgive me if I digress.

The idea of a Friday devoted to future stars is great. But if a track like Churchill can squeeze in a 13 race card, why not a 14 race card. Have all the races on Saturday. And I like the idea of rotating the event to different tracks so that they can all be showcased, and have a chance to earn a profit.

Distaff simply refers to anything female. Lady, on the other hand, gives much more respect to the champion females who have qualified for the BC races. I, personally, prefer the term ladies.

Meydan draws an international audience with the size of the purses. Perhaps it's time to up the purses of the BC races.

I watched the Coral Eclipse on Saturday. Wow!!! my hat is off to the beast from down under. Congratulations to So You Think, Aidan O'Brien, and all connections. New Zealand gave us Phar Lap...and now...So You Think. 2f from the wire, SYT seemed to be struggling behind Workforce. There was little rhythm to his stride. It's not as though he found his stride at all. But he was all muscle, and moved like a run away freight train. He has sooo much power and determination (and muscle), he was simply magnificent to watch as he over powered Workforce to win. So You Think really reminded me of the Slew in that final furlong.

Steve, do you think we'll have a chance to see him in the BC since O'Brien seems to be bringing a lot of his stable over for the races?

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

Dawn in MN — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 13:33:43 GMT

Steve,

While I continue to ponder the merits of brevity, please forgive me for the long, long comment that I wrote. I continue to struggle to express my comments in 500 words, or less. Goals.

Play Frisky, Thanks for the suggestion, the 1984 Classic, was definitely a great stretch drive. Since I was looking at YouTube I watched a 2008 version, montage of the top 10 Breeder's Cup moments.

Ferdinand, Da Hoss, Sunday Silence, Cigar, Tiznow, Alysheba, High Chaparral, Arazi!, Wild Again, Personal Ensign.

The story of Rick's Natural Star was very interesting. I liked the way his trainer would not stand down when the reporters mocked him. I like the happy ending for the horse.

Mr. Haskin, thank you again, as usual things go off topic at the end.

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

JerseyBoy — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 10:54:13 GMT

Steve:

Here is a radical suggestion. Since the Breeders Cup races are run so late in the year, we should open the Classic to 2yos. They are already running 10 furlongs by that time in Europe. It would be real fun.

To facilitate this, we should raise the weight-for-age scale 7 pounds to prevent some European jockeys having to starve to make the weights. We should do this even if we do not allow 2yos in the Classic. The current scale is a form of cruelty. The Breeders Cup is supposed to be international.

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

Vince — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 23:07:17 GMT

I agree with the posters on here who say that the BC should go back to just one day's racing. it has lost some of its magic for me, been diluted a bit. it was the single finest day's racing in the world, every race a championship event of sorts. now I am not so sure. I know why they changed it - money. but you know, sometimes less is more.

steve I think the poster talking about the separation of the sexes was trying to say that the more distaff races you put on, the more the fillies will not face the colts. and surely he has a point. I would scrap the fillies and mares turf race. maybe instead have both a 10 furlong and a 12 turf race open to all. there are in fact plenty of fillies races in england and france, it's just they aare not considered too highly because they are just that - fillies races.

and finally, if you can get to a tv or the net tomorrow, watch the eclipse at sandown. bests european race of the season so far, featuring the filly snow fairy against the colts. only 5 go, but should be a treat.

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

Matt Helm — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 22:13:40 GMT

Hey Dawn you tube 1984 BC Classic.Hands down one of the top five stretch drives of all time.Wild Again,Gate Dancer and Slew O Gold gettin down.

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

predict — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:18:08 GMT

I forgot to mention what made me think of this, I always wanted to name a horse that was I was never sure if she was going to run or not, Sarah Palin.

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

It aint easy being good! — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:44:12 GMT

I say get rid of the ladies classic. The girls are catching up to the boys they are a handful that are good enough now. Look at goldi she is a beast! Its time we stop seperating the men from the gals and let the best horse win regardless of sex.

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

predict — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:33:59 GMT

In light of Sarah Palin's trademarking of her name to prevent unauthorized profiteering in the use of her name; I thought it would be interesting to come up with a phrase about what happened to his horse in the race he was just in, that a jockey could trademark so he alone could use it after a race. Such as:

" He had a hard time getting ahold of the track" ..........or:

" I don't know, he just didn't feel like running today"

Not intending to change the theme of this Blog, just a little bored here on the first of July, and thought this group might have some good suggestions, that jockeyes might use , say after losing a breeder's cup race. oh hummm....

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

Auburndee — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:20:58 GMT

Couldn't agree with you more: but I would like to add:

Horse Racing NEEDS good marketing, and I would sugest looking to tennis. Whenever the male stars have fallen into an uninteresting slump, the females have sucessfully carried billions in advertising revenue.

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

Criminal Type — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:13:53 GMT

Once again, another brilliantly executed, thought provoking article. First of all, I agree, bring back Distaff. Secondly, I really like the Future Friday idea.

I think it's important to keep the Juvenile races, all of them. These are the stars of tomorrow but I also agree if they are not grade one races they should be run Friday. Saturday is the BIG show. It is when ALL the big divisional races should be run. Maybe the BC needs to look at adding additional races to the Saturday card. Starting the first race earlier, less time between races is something they can look at. Steve is also right about the track conditions not being the same from one day to the next. The Distaff and the Classic need to be run on the same day.

I would love to see the 2012 BC run at Saratoga. It is so gorgeous there. Horse Heaven.

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

calico cat — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:08:08 GMT

Enough with the mourning over the demise of the word Distaff. I had to look it up when I first got interested in horse racing. It's another word for women or females. The origin of that word relates to the spinning of flax. Hardly descriptive of modern females (human or equine). Horse racing has far greater problems than the word Ladies. No wonder very little gets done. People get all hung up on unimportant details.

I like your idea of moving the races around Mr. Haskin, in order to give the greatest exposure to the most important races, and "Future Friday" is a flash of genius.

To those who insist that the two days should be on Saturday and Sunday, get real!!! Football is the only word I will say about this.

Call me Pollyanna but I'm as happy as a pig in mud when the Breeders Cup comes around. I look forward to it every year because I know I'll be treated to two great days of racing. Can it be tweaked? Yes! but it was a great idea to begin with and remains a great one no matter how much NON-constructive criticism is heaped upon it.

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

Matt Helm — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:05:55 GMT

Dawn 1984

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

WWSTP — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:10:10 GMT

Steve I am so happy to see this topic being brought up. The fillies have been the major "news" for the last few years, and it looks as though they will be this year as well. Let's get them the media coverage they deserve, let's get this exciting racing on a day when more fans can be present, and let's make this a real classic by getting them running on "classic day". I hope the BC people are reading this blog and taking it seriously.

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

Dawn in MN — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:40:43 GMT

Wait, did the Breeder's Cup begin in 1982, or 1984? I don't remember exactly which year. My kids were born 1983 and 1987 and that decade is a blur.

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

Dawn in MN — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:33:03 GMT

Mr. Haskin, ...you are ever fearless in opening the proverbial can of worms, aren't you?

This is a great topic. The comments are typical of what I have seen on Bloodhorse. The ideas are all over the map. That's why I read these articles. Step one in brain-storming is to record ALL the ideas, and then sort through them. This is the ultimate brain-storming forum.

As I read through all the comments and suggestions there are some recurring themes that really caught my attention.

I find it ridiculous to refer to any of the filly and mare races as "Ladies." If the powers-that-be would name them by proper terms it would present an educational opportunity. I have read with great interest the many comments about explaining racing terms. I for one wouldn't mind watching educational explanations during coverage. It would save me talking over the show and answering the questions for the people who watch with me. When a person is new to a sport the terminology can be intimidating. We don’t want new fans intimidated. All education begins with learning the terminology. I really do think that the story coverage should focus most on fan education dovetailed with highlighting the competing horses, their history, and past performances. I find the horses' stories and the education of racing fans far more interesting than what someone is wearing, or which celebrities are in attendance-gag.

Some of the usual suspects' comments are really funny. Needler; "...Other Races That We Judge Minimally Important Day..." hilarious and good point. Play Frisky; "...if it's not a grade 1 then they should not run it on a so called championship day." Exactly.

I did hear of the Breeder’s Cup during my self-imposed exile from racing 1975-2006. In 1984, when it began, I saw it as a gimmick. I sensed a weak ploy to bring attention and a championship atmosphere to a sport in which people are increasingly aware that the best athletes sometimes die in their efforts, and the minor league athletes are sometimes run into the ground, or shipped off to die. Thoroughbred horse racing has got to clean up this part of the act, or the future looks very, very dim for the sport.

I love the idea of coverage on Saturday and Sunday. I follow football too, and wouldn’t mind missing football on Sunday. For new fans and fans of both sports having to choose between football and the Breeder’s cup may well result in a loss of viewers for the Breeder’s Cup. I strongly object to the coverage being interrupted by other sports, and don’t like to see it switched from one television network to another during the event.

The idea of multiple tracks hosting the event during the Breeder’s Cup weekend is interesting, but your point of providing a level playing field by running all of them same day, on the same track is a valid one.

The Claiming Crown-Karen D… you are right on that one. In fact how about Friday being a day to honor those horses who run and run and run, and bring the claimers to the attention of the new fan. These are the horses fans will see on the programs at their small local tracks, and the claimers and their connections deserve recognition. It may also bring new owners to the sport at the claiming level. Like taxpayers it is the little guys who shoulder a large load.

Last thing…Churchill Downs, in November? Dumb and dumber. I would really like to see a better method of awarding the event to the host track. How about the track with the best safety record? Kill two birds with one stone, enhance the safety of the participants, and award those efforts?

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

Johnny — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 13:29:43 GMT

Nice article Steve and I agree with it all.

Z should of got horse of the year.

Grest idea the 2year old races on Friday and all the others on Sat.

Just one problem in a society were all that matters is $$$ this just makes to much sense.

Happy 4th

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

Matt Helm — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 04:25:51 GMT

TJ,Woodbine hosted in 96 doubt if they get another shot also google Ricks Natural Star for a laugh.

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

Zen4Zen — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 04:18:18 GMT

What you say makes sense, Steve; thanks. As a woman, it also does seem almost like a sexist relegation to 2d-class citizenship for the fillies and mares -- especially inappropriate, as you note, since they've been and still seem to be the best of any sex in their generation(s).

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

Matt Helm — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 01:16:34 GMT

Breeders Cup:1st Permanent home Santa Anita.2nd Ten grade1 races Saturday only,if it's not a grade 1 then they should not run it on a so called championship day.And finally an early and late pick five with two million guaranteed on both.

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

Alex'sBigFan — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:42:00 GMT

I was just posting this and it disappeared from the blog so if it is a duplicate sorry. I too feel that I like the one day, Saturday for all the Breeders' Cup races. If they insist on continuing with Friday, then Steve's idea for it seems the most viable and makes the most sense. I also wish they would rename the "Ladies' Classic" back to the "Distaff." And speaking of "they" why is there such a revolving door of BC Execs? It seems every year they are appointing a new CEO or President. And I may be wrong but I have yet to see one that has the right passion for the sport and the right marketing background. My mental image of "them" is as they were in the movie "Dreamer." The little girl who owned Sonador goes before the staunchy, better than everyone, head in the clouds, BC Exec Board to try to enter Sonador in the BC Classic. She outsmarts them in the movie!!!

And Monmouth is a top notch, well run track. It can handle capacity crowds, is so easily accessible right off the Garden State Parkway, is clean, very flat and great for viewing from all angles. It is not so steeped in tradition and history as Belmont Park, but it is the most "fun" track to be at. Monmouth should be given another chance, they did a great job in dealing with a deluge of 4 days of rain when Curlin ran. I am counting the days before I drive out to the Haskell at Monmouth, now 30 days to go.

Mainstream doesn't even know about the BC Friday. It is demeaning to the fillies and mares who participate. Why can't they just use the correct terminology, fillies, mares for the older females, colts, and horses for the older males? At this rate this year the top fillies could go in the BC Classic and have a great shot at a win against this 3 yr. old crop of colts and the older horses.

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

Needler in Virginia — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 20:59:01 GMT

Another thoughtful and spot on column, Steve. Thanks very much, but you don't really believe the Breeders Cup powers will actually listen, do you? Theirs is an agenda which will forever remain pointless and clouded in mystery.

I HATE THE TERM "Ladies" when describing horses. Do the colts and geldings now get to be "boys" or "men"? Let's be totally fair; if we're gonna go so far out in center field we can't see home plate anymore, let's just go for it. The absurd terms should be as follows: "girls" and "boys" for the juvenile races, "ladies" and "men" for the adults. The poster above who mentioned how fans had to learn the terms of tennis has a great point; why don't racing fans have to know the terms describing the animals they watch? Beats me, but it seems that we now accept ignorance as a permanent state rather than pretending that those who view our sport have ......... drum roll, please...a brain!!!!

Get a grip BC; you messed with success, now you've changed "Ladies' Day" (AARRGGHH) to "Not Only Ladies' Day But Also Other Races That We Judge Minimally Important Day".

Fie on them and their foolishness.........let's go for a week long Racing Festival that actually MEANS something!

Cheers and safe trips to almost everyone.

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

robinm — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 20:00:56 GMT

Steve; I appreciate you have brought this matter up for discussion. I tend to agree with the comments of those who 1) don't hold with the concept that results of the Breeder's Cup races should determine year-end championships. They are Grade 1 races; not "championship" races. I understand why a Breeder's Cup win might have more weight than another Grade 1 race held on a less prestigious day and race card, just as I understand that winning the Kentucky Derby is more important to a 3-yr. old than winning a Grade 1 prep for the Derby, but a BC win in and of itself should not a champion make. 2) I also agree with those that believe the 2-day format is not necessary at all. I don't think there need to be so many BC races. Go back to the original format. Eliminate the "non" BC races early in the card and choose the best of the added races to fill a 10 race card and hold it on Saturday.

re: Time to Change BC Friday Format

Lmaris — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:49:03 GMT

Best idea yet, Steve if we have to hang on to the silly Friday concept at all.

I've always thought if it had to go to 2 days, Saturday & Sunday made far more sense. Afraid of football? Who cares.

Return the name "Distaff" and move everything but the Juvenile races to Saturday & all Juvenile races to Friday. Increase distance of "Marathon" to 2 mile too.