I'll ask Satish how that factors in Wednesday..

The weather plays a big factor, who wants to bet horses on off tracks like we seen for the Triple Crown days?!!

I think the Marathon is worth keeping around just to see Calidoscopio.

It used to mean something to win one of these races when there were 6 or 7, now that there is 14, ehh not that big of deal.

I agree completely. Last year's 5-horse Juvy Sprint was rock bottom.

If they’re going to keep it at SA for the 3rd straight year, let’s at least open up some more races
Arabians, let’s give something back to those full blown degenerates who play/handicap the last race at Delaware Park every day!!!!

It didn’t always have to be at such a “high end” venue, people forget when it was at Woodbine, pre-slots, and Lone Star

-bt-

As someone who has been to many Breeder's Cups, Santa Anita is far and away the best option. Great location, great weather, dirt track again, easy access from multiple airports and tons of hotel rooms nearby.

I, too, like the idea of moving around to new tracks. But, other than Gulfstream (which is no longer an option), what other site can give you all of the above?

That said, for those upset now, I would bet that it moves the following year but stays in California and is held at Del Mar.

Paul

Isn't Stronach spending $700 million or so to revamp GP with some sort of temp seating, build hotels and some other nonsense to get the BC to S. FL?


http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...et-for-apr-nov

If this happens, they will get a Breeder's Cup for sure. It would be a great spot too.

Paul

The '99 BC with the 3 day 'mini meet' was fabulous. Track was inside speed-biased for the Cup, but was one of my favorite BC's... (and I was working the Barbecue the whole time.)

It seems that the BC is a punishment and not a reward to the Host track. In this case SA being chosen 3 yrs in a row is probably punishment for installing a synthetic track 2007-2010.

Oh. And I can't wait for Satish to comment if he comes on Steve's show this week regarding the decision to go back to SA :eek:

Redboard.....Epic day at the windows for me. Silic and Anees.

Why is great weather a must? Plenty of very good races have been run on cold and/or wet days.

:tro:

i can see if the climate in ky and ny kept the bc committee from considering tracks there...

but what about arlington, or a fla track, or back to texas? monmouth, woodbine?

the whole point of the day(s) was to support breeders all over the country, which was why they wanted the change of venue every year. so much for that.

but like so many other things any more, it's probably mainly about the bottom line now. not what's best for the sport, the horsemen, but what's best for the entity known as breeders cup and it's profit margin. it's no longer interested in continuing it's original mission, now it's just another business enterprise.

:tro: agree

since attendance at churchill are higher than at other tracks (whether back in the one-day bc, or now) i agree about the weather completely. it's obviously not a deciding factor.



http://www.courier-journal.com/artic...ucky-tax-break

'Churchill’s two most recent years as host — 2010 and 2011 — were the best attended and most wagered upon since the Breeders’ Cup went to a two-day format in 2007.'


if the attendance and handle are higher at churchill than anywhere, why keep it at santa anita? the more i find about this, the less sense i can make of the decision. bcl gets the handle cut, why would they not want to race where they get the biggest check, if money is the issue?

Woodbine is out, along with any slot track. Since installing the slots, attendance capacities have been limited, and the Breeder's Cup wants the slots to be shutdown during their occupation of the plant. So that is not going to happen to any slot venue.

It has also become one of the most expensive locations to attend as well - though it sounds as if that is their goal with the whole "lifestyle platform" thing.

They always cite the weather, yet as pointed out, Churchill always brings the better numbers attendance and handle wise. While it was cold the last time Belmont hosted the BC, it is the last thing that sticks out in my mind since it was a tremendous experience all around.