re: Breeders' Cup Memories

Karen in Indiana — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:34:05 GMT

You bring up a point that is important. There has been much debate this year on the financial difficulties of horse racing - breeding to sell instead of race, takeout on gambling earnings, low purses and cut backs in race dates. There have been many answers put forward, but the one I've been hearing most consistently is that fans don't support racing, gamblers do. Technically, that's correct. But, if people would look at the bigger picture, catering to gamblers alone will insure a dying sport. NONE of the major sports do that - not football, baseball, or even soccer. There are too many opportunities for gamblers that don't involve the amount of research needed to do it well with horses. And if someone likes doing that kind of work, there is always the aforementioned other sports. So what does this sport have that makes it unique and attractive? The horses, of course, and jockeys, trainers, owners, in other words the stories and personalities. And don't forget the history and specialness of certain events. The Breeders Cup being one of them. When was the last time you saw a football game with women dressed to kill and having a blast? I admit - I don't gamble, I'm a fan. But I go to the tracks, pay for entrance and parking, buy the entry forms and the sometimes pretty awful food (depending on where you are) and dream of going to Saratoga in the summer or Gulfstream in the winter. And I talk to people about the horses and bring them with me when they'll go. And that's what builds a fan base which brings people in the door and keeps the gambling base steady, if not growing.

re: Breeders' Cup Memories

War Admiral — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:25:25 GMT

I have been attending the Breeders Cup since 1984 and my favorite memory would unquestionably be the 2009 Breeders Cup Classic on November 7, 2009.

I've been in box seats for every Breeders Cup since 1984 and I have "never" and I repeat "never" heard the crowd so loud and the grandstand shaking the way it was during the running of the 2009 Breeders Cup Classic.