How has Lone Star's facility changed to where it is no longer practical to host the BC? I have not been there since the 2004 Cup but found it quite satisfactory. Being located in the central time zone would also seem ideal for TV at that time of year. Separately, you can't mess with the Sprint. The, by far, most common distance in racing has to have a race.
They are currently located in a state that isn’t allowed to send their signal out for simulcasting 😳
The issue with the Sprint is there aren’t many actual graded 6f stakes races and the Dirt Mile is a junk drawer race. For whatever reason the dirt spriting talent in this country has been thin on top class horses. At 7f you still get the vast majority of those entered in the Soeint and pick up quite a few from the Dirt Mile. It might add a horse or two to the Classic depending on the year but IMO a lot more guys would feel more comfortable cutting back to 7f than 6f.
I mean it’s not going to happen because believe it or not a great deal of people at the top of the bloodstock market (who have all of the influence at BC) don’t even see the need to cut out some of the redundant stakes that are now getting weak fields on a regular basis
I missed the forest for the trees on the Lone Star issue by forgetting about their signal not going out. I think you missed it on the sprint by ignoring the damage the F&M sprint has done to it. Whether winning or through valiant placings, the participation of Safely Kept, Desert Stormer, Soviet Problem, Meafara (twice) and Xtra Heat resulted in some epic and memorable races. Of these, only Xtra Heat is a cinch to have chosen the sprint over the F&M sprint. The open sprint division was weak in some of those years but the fillies more than made up for it.
Chuck: A very good analysis as to the current problems concerning the BC, and its deleterious effect on what was once the Fall Championship Season. As to the TV issues, I believe that you are correct as to the expiration of the NBC contract. However, I think that the BC's logical landing place will be with FOX/NYRA rather than a streaming service. FOX/NYRA has done a terrific job with the Saratoga shows and FOX, as opposed to NBC, has several cable channels available to supplement the main Network ( FYI, the Turf Sprint & Sprint were only on FD/TVG). Moreover, with the renovation of Belmont shortly happening ( Chuck, its Thanksgiving-NYRA hasn't even announced any 2024 race dates yet-what gives?), it would the perfect time to switch to NYRA/FOX.
You may be correct as Fox seems to want to be in the racing business. My philosophy with streaming is partnering up with new media creates dynamics that the younger generation can relate to. Being on the Fox main channel is fine but they have invested heavily in college football as well and it’s hard to see them opening a window outside of a couple hours. Yes Fox has streaming options too but the seem quite underexpose and they likely want exclusivity as well BUT it’s easy to see where the successful sports are heading and it seems like racing despite having been first BY FAR at streaming, will be left behind once again.
I'd like to find issue with what you have written, because after all that is what one does. but I can't. You open my eyes even wider to the faults of everything about the Breeders Cup. I hope against hope that the issue you name will be addressed. And again I so much enjoy your language describing the races you analyzed and the results which could have been different but weren't. Thanks.
100% agree that it is too expensive. Not just the Breeder's Cup, but many of the race days are now too expensive.
Horse racing is similar to a party. Paid-for assigned seats for the major days aside, we shouldn't be overcharging people to secure a minimum revenue, but inviting people in to take part in our party. Saratoga, Del Mar, and Keeneland are the perfect examples (although I think tix to these are too dear as well (think of paying for a family, not just yourself). A lot of people go to these venues for the social aspect, aka the party.
Create a schedule - you can't expect the non-avid fan to know who the top FMT runner in the country is, but you can expect them to be familiar with the Derby or Belmont winner. Focus on a few divisions (Classic, Turf, Distaff, and Sprint) and create a 2 hour show. Have a schedule from March to Veteran's Day. The rest of us can watch Turf Sprint on TVG or USA or whatever.
How has Lone Star's facility changed to where it is no longer practical to host the BC? I have not been there since the 2004 Cup but found it quite satisfactory. Being located in the central time zone would also seem ideal for TV at that time of year. Separately, you can't mess with the Sprint. The, by far, most common distance in racing has to have a race.
They are currently located in a state that isn’t allowed to send their signal out for simulcasting 😳
The issue with the Sprint is there aren’t many actual graded 6f stakes races and the Dirt Mile is a junk drawer race. For whatever reason the dirt spriting talent in this country has been thin on top class horses. At 7f you still get the vast majority of those entered in the Soeint and pick up quite a few from the Dirt Mile. It might add a horse or two to the Classic depending on the year but IMO a lot more guys would feel more comfortable cutting back to 7f than 6f.
I mean it’s not going to happen because believe it or not a great deal of people at the top of the bloodstock market (who have all of the influence at BC) don’t even see the need to cut out some of the redundant stakes that are now getting weak fields on a regular basis
I missed the forest for the trees on the Lone Star issue by forgetting about their signal not going out. I think you missed it on the sprint by ignoring the damage the F&M sprint has done to it. Whether winning or through valiant placings, the participation of Safely Kept, Desert Stormer, Soviet Problem, Meafara (twice) and Xtra Heat resulted in some epic and memorable races. Of these, only Xtra Heat is a cinch to have chosen the sprint over the F&M sprint. The open sprint division was weak in some of those years but the fillies more than made up for it.
Chuck: A very good analysis as to the current problems concerning the BC, and its deleterious effect on what was once the Fall Championship Season. As to the TV issues, I believe that you are correct as to the expiration of the NBC contract. However, I think that the BC's logical landing place will be with FOX/NYRA rather than a streaming service. FOX/NYRA has done a terrific job with the Saratoga shows and FOX, as opposed to NBC, has several cable channels available to supplement the main Network ( FYI, the Turf Sprint & Sprint were only on FD/TVG). Moreover, with the renovation of Belmont shortly happening ( Chuck, its Thanksgiving-NYRA hasn't even announced any 2024 race dates yet-what gives?), it would the perfect time to switch to NYRA/FOX.
You may be correct as Fox seems to want to be in the racing business. My philosophy with streaming is partnering up with new media creates dynamics that the younger generation can relate to. Being on the Fox main channel is fine but they have invested heavily in college football as well and it’s hard to see them opening a window outside of a couple hours. Yes Fox has streaming options too but the seem quite underexpose and they likely want exclusivity as well BUT it’s easy to see where the successful sports are heading and it seems like racing despite having been first BY FAR at streaming, will be left behind once again.
I'd like to find issue with what you have written, because after all that is what one does. but I can't. You open my eyes even wider to the faults of everything about the Breeders Cup. I hope against hope that the issue you name will be addressed. And again I so much enjoy your language describing the races you analyzed and the results which could have been different but weren't. Thanks.
100% agree that it is too expensive. Not just the Breeder's Cup, but many of the race days are now too expensive.
Horse racing is similar to a party. Paid-for assigned seats for the major days aside, we shouldn't be overcharging people to secure a minimum revenue, but inviting people in to take part in our party. Saratoga, Del Mar, and Keeneland are the perfect examples (although I think tix to these are too dear as well (think of paying for a family, not just yourself). A lot of people go to these venues for the social aspect, aka the party.
Create a schedule - you can't expect the non-avid fan to know who the top FMT runner in the country is, but you can expect them to be familiar with the Derby or Belmont winner. Focus on a few divisions (Classic, Turf, Distaff, and Sprint) and create a 2 hour show. Have a schedule from March to Veteran's Day. The rest of us can watch Turf Sprint on TVG or USA or whatever.
The TV situation was a disaster! Whoever made that programming deal needs a career change.