2013 Breeders Cup at Santa Anita....again

[passrush2011]

If I were to send a letter to the Breeders Cup Board here's what I would say about their decision.

Dear Breeders Cup Board,

I see that you are going to have the BC at Santa Anita again for two years in a row. I know you have had it at Churchill for two years in a row as well. You do realize that there are horse racing fans that are in the midwest and east coast right? Whatever happened to the theory of moving the BC around to different tracks to let people have a chance to see a Breeders Cup? That was a brilliant idea, now it seems that you have gotten away from that. The sport of horse racing needs fans, and this idea of having it at only two places in four years is not a great idea to get more fans involved with the sport.

I have seen a Breeders Cup live, at Arlington. I will say that it was a very fun event to go to. However with your theory now, I will never get to go to another Breeders Cup event. Is that fair to the people on the east coast that would like to go but would have to go 2,000 miles to go see a Breeders Cup? Is it really fair that the mid westerners would also have to travel a GREAT distance? Is this best for the sport? In my humble opinion, it is NOT the best for the sport and I feel it's a major detriment to the sport of horse racing.

Every year I go to the Arlington Million and have a GREAT time. I wish you would consider different venues outside of Santa Anita and Churchill so that others can enjoy the two days of championship racing. It could only help the sport.

This is what I would write...I am disappointed that they have decided that only two tracks should have the BC....to me it simply isn't fair. Just my two cents.

[Curlin]

They pick the venues with potentially the best profit (as in, attendance, etc) and the best weather, not necessarily in that order. Another BC like Monmouth's? Yikes.

[samm]

If I were to send a letter to the Breeders Cup Board here's what I would say about their decision.

Dear Breeders Cup Board,

I see that you are going to have the BC at Santa Anita again for two years in a row. I know you have had it at Churchill for two years in a row as well. You do realize that there are horse racing fans that are in the midwest and east coast right? Whatever happened to the theory of moving the BC around to different tracks to let people have a chance to see a Breeders Cup? That was a brilliant idea, now it seems that you have gotten away from that. The sport of horse racing needs fans, and this idea of having it at only two places in four years is not a great idea to get more fans involved with the sport.

I have seen a Breeders Cup live, at Arlington. I will say that it was a very fun event to go to. However with your theory now, I will never get to go to another Breeders Cup event. Is that fair to the people on the east coast that would like to go but would have to go 2,000 miles to go see a Breeders Cup? Is it really fair that the mid westerners would also have to travel a GREAT distance? Is this best for the sport? In my humble opinion, it is NOT the best for the sport and I feel it's a major detriment to the sport of horse racing.

Every year I go to the Arlington Million and have a GREAT time. I wish you would consider different venues outside of Santa Anita and Churchill so that others can enjoy the two days of championship racing. It could only help the sport.

This is what I would write...I am disappointed that they have decided that only two tracks should have the BC....to me it simply isn't fair. Just my two cents.

May I read you letter on air this evening??

[KEYSTONE-KING]

They pick the venues with potentially the best profit (as in, attendance, etc) and the best weather, not necessarily in that order. Another BC like Monmouth's? Yikes.

Rather another chance at Monmouth then a breeders cup with little international entrants and no circulating venues. as It stands now the breeders cup is literally at a stand still.

[serenassong]

They pick the venues with potentially the best profit (as in, attendance, etc) and the best weather, not necessarily in that order. Another BC like Monmouth's? Yikes.

Yes, and no. If it was brought out again to either Belmont or Monmouth, you would have alot of surrounding people to the area go, and we are used to ever changing weather conditions. Just because the weather was crappy years ago does not guarantee that it will be again. I seem to remember that Cali not that long again got some monsoon type of rains- bad weather can happen anywhere at any time.

I think it's very sad that only 3 tracks put in for it, I guess this time around there were to many problems with NYRA. Belmont Park is PLENTY big enough to host this, can't speak for Monmouth since I have never been. Just my two cents.

[The Tin Man]

This from DRF today ...

Santa Anita was selected as the 2013 host over Churchill and Monmouth Park,
which has hosted the event once, in 2007. The decision to focus on those tracks
has frustrated New York racing fans, but Breeders’ Cup officials are reluctant
to commit to tracks operated by the New York Racing Association because of a
fickle and sometimes hostile political environment surrounding racing in the
state.

http://www.drf.com/news/breeders-cup...013-host-track

[Buckpasser]

It does rain in Kentucky in the fall - remember the 1988 BC.

My problem with Churchill and SA for the BC are the turf courses both being around 7F (the El Camino Real Chute at SA doesn't do anything for me). The BC turf races at both sites are a joke and have low European represntation. My bizarro-world BC would be to run only dirt races at Churchill and the turf races at Kentucky Downs' Euro-style course. Run all the races on one day - with alternating races at CD and KD run every 15 minutes. It would be non-stop action and the racing would be better. You would still have the same crowd at Churchill with another at KD. The Europeans would love KD.

Back to reality, you need Belmont back in the rotation. I think Woodbine deserves another BC also.

[Jeff]

They pick the venues with potentially the best profit (as in, attendance, etc) and the best weather, not necessarily in that order. Another BC like Monmouth's? Yikes.

You think the weather at CD is considerably different in early November than in New York City? If so, I would take issue with that.

I think this has more to do with airing the Classic in prime time than anything else. The three-hour time difference between coasts allows that if they run at SA. And it also works at CD because they have lights.

To me, the observation by Hegarty at DRF that NYRA is shunned because of the "fickle" and "hostile" environment in NY racing is a bit of a stretch.

That fickle and hostile environment is currently hosting one of the richest meets in North American history at Saratoga.

[Somnambulist]

You think the weather at CD is considerably different in early November than in New York City? If so, I would take issue with that.

Yes, there is virtually no possibly of us standing in the snow in late October/early November. Didn't people deal with flurries two years ago?

I'm not holding my breath for another eastern seaboard BC. They seem to give the "smaller" tracks like Monmouth and Lone Star a one time deal, and who knows when that mess at NYRA is finally going to settle itself. I see amazing racing all year long and can deal.

[flytothestars]

Was hoping Belmont would get it, would be GREAT if Saratoga could, even Hialeah.

It would have been huge hits with fans for these three tracks, it gets kind of old of having Santa Anita and Churchill slugging it out lately.

[Somnambulist]

Was hoping Belmont would get it, would be GREAT if Saratoga could, even Hialeah.

It would have been huge hits with fans for these three tracks, it gets kind of old of having Santa Anita and Churchill slugging it out lately.

I think that Saratoga is the most wonderful place on all of the planet, but the weather in upstate NY that time of year is not friendly enough for the event. Snow starts falling by that time up there.

It's also not that large.

[serenassong]

I think that Saratoga is the most wonderful place on all of the planet, but the weather in upstate NY that time of year is not friendly enough for the event. Snow starts falling by that time up there.

It's also not that large.

It would be a logistical nightmare, just the size alone.

[flytothestars]

I think that Saratoga is the most wonderful place on all of the planet, but the weather in upstate NY that time of year is not friendly enough for the event. Snow starts falling by that time up there.

It's also not that large.

One idea of Saratoga's exception due to possible snow, do it in late September... Just a thought.

And to control the crowd, higher admission rates......

[TapitsGal]

If they keep holding the Breeders Cup in California i will NEVER get to see one.Shame really as going to the Breeders Cup(or a Breeders Cup) is on my bucket list as well as attending the Dubai World Cup,Melbourne Cup and going to see a race at Aintree or Royal Ascot

[Somnambulist]

One idea of Saratoga's exception due to possible snow, do it in late September... Just a thought.

And to control the crowd, higher admission rates......

That hardly seems fair.

Moving it up to September would a nightmare, for NYRA who would then need to alter their entire fall stakes schedule, and for the rest of the racing world.

[CoronadosQuest]

How come Gulfstream Park never tries for it? Last time it was held there was 1999. I do wish Arlington would get it but I imagine the synthetic track and size of the grounds has something to do with it. Such a shame.

[Jeff]

It would be a logistical nightmare, just the size alone.

From where I live, I can be at the Saratoga track in about 8 minutes.

If they held the BC here, I wouldn't go.

For many reasons.

[samm]

Steve Haskin was on and we had a lengthy discussion on this... very incitefull! the show is archived at joltnation.com and available on Itunes.

[Insane Crazy]

How come Gulfstream Park never tries for it? Last time it was held there was 1999. I do wish Arlington would get it but I imagine the synthetic track and size of the grounds has something to do with it. Such a shame.

Gulfstream was radically redone and can now hold only...1,000 people now? Something like that. Arlington would be ACE -- it was my first BC I ever watched -- but yeah, the synth on it is a problem.

Still have my fingers crossed for Hialeah to be redone as a viable east coast option.

New York needs it, though. Soon. And other tracks...is Pimlico not an option? Fairgrounds?

[passrush2011]

May I read you letter on air this evening??

Probably too late...but yes. It sums up what I feel about this.