Competing Globally - by Eric Mitchell

re: Competing Globally - by Eric Mitchell

Arts and Letters — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 01:14:51 GMT

Yes, the Marathon is one I would keep, in addition to the original 7, since it wouldn't dilute the fields any. And it's a pity the Steeplechase is long gone, but it seems there aren't enough US steeplechasers, and the timing probably wouldn't be right for English horses, since the steeplechase season is just getting underway at this time of year.

re: Competing Globally - by Eric Mitchell

Pedigree Ann — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:58:21 GMT

I agree that the races have been diluted by too many additions. The fillies and mares were doing just fine running with the guys in the Sprint, Mile and Turf; there was no need to spin out female versions of any of them. We don't produce enough turf-specialist 2yos to have 2 turf races, if any at all. (I contend that running 2yos around 2 turns on tight infield turf courses is detrimental to their leg joints.) If 2yos want to sprint, let them do it with their elders, LIKE THEY DO EVERYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD. The only ones I would keep are the turf sprint (perhaps) and the Marathon. The Breeders' Cup, with its G1 Sprint, has been one of the major reasons for the sharp turn to short racing in the US (no G1 6f races before 1984 - none, nada!, and only one at 7f). The Marathon restores balance by giving dirt stayers a place to shine as well.

re: Competing Globally - by Eric Mitchell

Arts and Letters — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:02:18 GMT

OK, Breeders Cup organizers (if any of you are reading this blog) - I was looking at this year's pre-entries and thinking about what might have been. If you went back to the 7 original races, for instance, there would be just one Sprint, instead of the Fillies Sprint, the Turf Sprint, and the Sprint. So, instead of 3 fairly ho-hum looking races, we'd have the best from all 3 of those, facing off against each other, just like in the old days. Maybe something like this:

Aikenite, Big Drama, Caleb's Posse, Euroears, Jackson Bend, The Factor, California Flag, Chamberlain Bridge, Hoofit, Regally Ready, Champagne d'Oro, Switch, Tar Heel Mom and Turbulent Descent.

Still not the greatest lineup in the history of horse racing, perhaps, but a lot more interesting than what we're going to get. Yes, some horses may prefer turf over dirt, but that makes it even more special when they prevail.

Now picture all the milers back together, all the juveniles back inthe original 2 races, etc. Wouldn't that be more fun? And yes, maybe some horses that are entered now wouldn't show up if they had to run on dirt, or at a distance they didn't like, but based on the early breeders cups, enough would come to make it interesting and exciting.

Oh yeah, and if you insist on calling the Distaff something different, at least go with Fillies and Mares Classic. Why is this race called "Ladies" when all the others aren't?

re: Competing Globally - by Eric Mitchell

Byron Rogers — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:55:01 GMT

You can throw in the Melbourne Cup as a major reason top European horses are not coming over to compete at the mile and a half on the turf. In order of entry 10 of the top 20 entrants are trained in Europe. The Cup is worth A$6.175m which is on today's exchange rate is US$6.5m, the same as the Japan Cup.

re: Competing Globally - by Eric Mitchell

Frank J. — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:52:45 GMT

Don't worry breeze10, I'm sure your absence will be felt by the millions that will be watching next week. Oh and thanks for that plug for HDG and Larry like that was really what the article was about. The fields of American horses are not mediocre, they are the best of the best, yeah horses get hurt and retire, it's part of the game. And if the Euros would rather go to Japan and face much less competition then go for it. Euros are only interested in the grass races anyways.

re: Competing Globally - by Eric Mitchell

Brigitte — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:50:10 GMT

Too many races, definitely. When I lived in NY I went to the BC at Belmont and have great memories of it, but two days - too much. The BC should concentrate our attention, not dilute it.

re: Competing Globally - by Eric Mitchell

breeze10 — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:33:06 GMT

I agree with kincsem: who would want to devote the time and money into betting on this years Breeders Cup races? For the first time ever, we will not be betting! The fields of American horses is mediocre...an honest perspective, without spin, is: racing in the U.S. has been filled with mediocre horses (this year). How sad that racing has reached this point ! Everyday another horse is injured and retired or otherwise out of the races! I don't think we can blame the horses for this...perhaps the trainers (in their final quest for some type of glory this year), are pushing the horses too hard)...whatever the reason, I say let's just have HOY NOW and give EVERYTHING to HDG!!!! (She has done far more than any other U.S. horse this year...in fact, in my opinion...she is the superior horse and the only one of this season that will be remembered years from now!) Additionally, Larry Jones should receive Trainer of the Year. I have often criticized him and complained about his whining...but if he and HDG do not get these awards...he should "cry"//I will also be crying! The breeders, owners, trainers in the U.S. need to get their act together....before fans (in this hurting economy) lose ALL interest in racing ! So sorry..but our family's attention will be elsewhere (not at Churchill Downs) this year ! And as for next year...we sincerely hope it is not another year of mediocre,boring, and inconsistent racing !

re: Competing Globally - by Eric Mitchell

Arts and Letters — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 01:30:28 GMT

I agree with Kincsem. They should go back to the original 7 races. That way, the top males and females have to compete together, which leads to a lot more interest from the general public, especially now that fillies and mares are doing so well world-wide.

Increase the prize money. It should be do-able if there's just 7 races again. That would also make the tv scheduling and viewing easier on everyone.

Go back to having it at a different track each year (even if it's just a rotation of 4, although I'd like to see alternative tracks get a shot, the way they used to). That way, if a European trainer has a top horse but, say, hates California, there's still a chance the horse could come to a different track the next year.

Give some kind of bonus or incentive to horses that stick around and don't retire young. Maybe some added money if they've entered prior breeders cups, increasing by the number of races/years they've run.

re: Competing Globally - by Eric Mitchell

kincsem — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:13:02 GMT

The Breeder's Cup has become so diluted. Really, do we need all the added races, especially for juveniles? I am a racing fan and it even causes me to yawn. Who can devote two days and many hours to actively participate (bet)? More is not more, in this instance.

re: Competing Globally - by Eric Mitchell

Pedigree Ann — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:52:12 GMT

The Breeders' Cup made itself a laughingstock when it added the 'World Championships' to its title. Southern Hemisphere horses are in the midst of their spring classic seasons and major carnivals - they don't come, and these include some of the best horses in the world. The Japanese have better and more valuable options in the Far East.

The Breeders' Cup will always be an afterthought for the Euros, a place where horses who haven't quite made their mark can get lucky (Dangerous Midge! for pete's sake, or Arcangues). We made a hero of BCFTurf winner Ouija Board, but in Europe it was the mare Pride (second in the Arc) who had the better year.