Straight Site Talk - By Dan Liebman

re: Straight Site Talk - By Dan Liebman

marktoothaker — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 01:32:58 GMT

Well said Dan, I believe the BC should continue to move the sites around. I love getting to see the different tracks and what a boom to the local economy. SA has been great but if permnant spot would be a step backwards.

re: Straight Site Talk - By Dan Liebman

nmhiplains — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:12:14 GMT

Dan Liebman

Just a wild thought but has the powers that be considered the possibility of changing the purse structure (maybe not Stakes races) from the tradition 60/20/10/5--to a 45,40/25,30/15,20/ etc,etc and the benefit this would have on the whole racehorse industry.

The present system is based on steeped tradition where racing was the sport of Kings and the glory of owning the winner was more important then the purse--the structure now puts horses at risk(the purse is more important that the life of the horse) starves the small owner/trainer who's horses are necessary to fill those race cards that generates that huge amount of wagers that funnels through simucasting betting sites. This 60/20/10 purse encourages those owner /trainers to use what ever means possible(drugs,ignoring lameness,etc) to make the big score.Maybe its time the industry looked at a CHANGE!!!

re: Straight Site Talk - By Dan Liebman

CRob87 — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:10:56 GMT

Actually I "Love" the idea of having it at Santa Anita permanently.

No offense to any others, but i've always believed it to be Racing's most beautiful Showplace.

Also on another note...

What would be so wrong with having it there for lets say the next 7 years and then after that going back to a rotation again ???

It's like when a car company stops production on a specific model for a good number of years and then brings it back as the "All New Camaro or Mustang".

It always seems to be a pretty successful move when they do such things.

It's like it gives their industry a "Shot In The Arm" as we all like to say in this one when something good finally happens......ya know ???

re: Straight Site Talk - By Dan Liebman

Heidi G — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:04:57 GMT

Putting aside this Breeders Cup dilemma what I really want to know in laymens terms is why of all the states in the country Kentucky Legislation can't or wont get on the same page as Kentucky Racing. Are things that corrupt and out of control that one can't benefit from the other in any way? Racing is to Kentucky what apples are to pie for cryin' out loud!

Simply ridiculous. The Thoroughbred industry in Kentucky is huge. It looks like the legislators are biting the hands that feed them.

The whole story is not being told and it ought to be. Does anyone really know the truth behind why there is such turmoil here?

re: Straight Site Talk - By Dan Liebman

Zookeeper — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:04:02 GMT

The point of this article is not whether Santa Anita should be the permanent site for the Breeders Cup; it is whether or not everything should be kept a secret until a decision is made. At the time that Satish Sanan made some of it public, I commented that "he had let the cat out of the bag" in spite of what BC or Sanan said afterwards. Politics conducted exclusively behind closed doors is as distasteful and unhealthy in racing as it is in government. Mr. Liebman, I completely agree with you (a rare occurence) that the people affected by the BC's decisions should be made aware of what is going on and why.

I expect that this article will open the door to more trashing of synthetic tracks and California in general, but the people who do such bashing will be missing the point of your article.

I live in California, I would be delighted to have the BC conducted here every year, but I'm not so closed-minded that I would not understand the people who are against it. However, the point is: Should the BC's insiders be the only ones in the know? I say NO and I support anybody who attempts to open the door and let some fresh air in. Bravo Mr. Sanan!

re: Straight Site Talk - By Dan Liebman

Slew — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:41:21 GMT

I find myself believing that the Breeders Cup is the best way to showcase some of the best tracks in the country. Since that was its purpose, why the sudden shift?

I think one permanent site, while beneficial to one track only, does little to enhance the sport itself on the national scene. Rotation is the best way to spread out not only the costs, but also the rewards, and a way to engage even more of a fan base.

re: Straight Site Talk - By Dan Liebman

AGS — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:10:46 GMT

I applaud Satish for speaking his mind.

re: Straight Site Talk - By Dan Liebman

Rachel — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:32:57 GMT

They only admonished him because now they can't pretend.

re: Straight Site Talk - By Dan Liebman

watcher — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:22:12 GMT

Did anyone else watch the recent TV show in which the Churchill CEO went undercover at Calder and Arlington Park? Nice guy, but clearly not a horseman. Barely knew the front end from the business end of a horse. Therein lies a big part of our problem---our "leaders" don't understand the sport.

Churchill president Robert Evans is paid almost $5 million a year. Wouldn't our industry be better served if the CD board shifted $4 million of that sum into PURSES???

re: Straight Site Talk - By Dan Liebman

Karen in Indiana — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:01:54 GMT

I've been struck lately by the difference in management and how that affects the industry and the fans by the examples set lately by stories about Oaklawn and it's promotion of a race between Zenyatta and Rachel, Monmouth Park and it's scheduling and purse changes, and Mr. Sanan's comments that seem to confirm opinion about Churchill.

Oaklawn is privately owned and therefore has the flexibility to do things that would send shareholders screaming. But look at the publicity it generated, not just for that track but also for the sport! Monmouth is operated by a state affiliated corporation and is thinking outside the box and trying new ideas in order to survive. Churchill Downs is a corporation that has shareholders it has to answer to and I think they have lost something because of that.

I agree with your opinion of Mr. Sanan and why negotiations and decisions should be more public. A lot of the frustrations we face today could be erased if that was more the rule, instead of the exception.

re: Straight Site Talk - By Dan Liebman

Edward — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:42:24 GMT

Breeders Cup at one site will complete the de-legitimization of the entire event as a championship.

re: Straight Site Talk - By Dan Liebman

Kevin — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:24:48 GMT

I agree with you Jennie. Openness, more truth, could help this sport, this industry. Some believe not, and others fear not.

It is a shame that their fears, their lack of faith in truth, caused/forced Mr. Sanan to issue an explanation/apology. Mr. Sanan, I thank you for your frankness, and the truth as it appears to you. Many in this industry thank you. Please do remember, those who thought otherwise, those who did not support you in your right to express an opinion, bare watching in the future. Those who said privately they agree with you, but hedged and said maybe you should not have been so public, trust even less.

Always, the best to you and yours sir, just keep telling it as you see it, please do.

re: Straight Site Talk - By Dan Liebman

Rowner — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:39:53 GMT

Very BAD MOVE!!!!!!!! To restrict the Breeders Cup to one sight especially Santa Anita and its on again off again Synthetic surface. They might make the euro's happy but to Piss Off most of the east coast horseman and tracks like Churchill Downs is like eliminating half the american horses. When did this become the Euro Cup??????

re: Straight Site Talk - By Dan Liebman

Jennie — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:05:51 GMT

What this sport needs is more people like Satish Sanan.