Good time to bring out a quote from last year by BC president Greg Avioli:

Yet Avioli was unfazed by the prospect that top American dirt runners might bypass races on synthetic tracks. The Breeders' Cup's priority is to make itself more of an international event. "International stars," Avioli said, "are better than domestic stars."

That sums things up perfectly. The BC would rather have Sea the Stars than Rachel Alexandra and so they run the races on a surface that would help them achieve that goal. Blame Jackson all you want but you see where the blame should be.

Einsteinwithamajor upset

areasonforyouwhinerstocrymore

Synthetic Silicone

FUN

Lowerhandle

Blech!

SoldMyTicket

-bt-

apathy

Im.waiting.on.the.Byk.word.of.the.day.that.I.have. to.look.up.

Here's another.

Youdon'thavetogoorwtachsoquitwhininhandseewhatjoyc anfindin
watchingthegreatesthorsesandridersintheworlddothei rthing

The two best horses in the world aren't coming.

Here is another:

rubber.

Vic it is embarassing that championship day is on a third surface. At least recognize that this was not in the industry's best interest!

SAY IT!!!

classic 'back to school' reference right there

-bt-

I can only watch what is put before me. I choose to rejoice in that.

From Hoosiers: "I hope you will cheer for what we are. Not complain about what we are not"

That's well and fine but don't make it something that it's not. The best dirt runner in the world (Rachel Alexandra) is not going to be there. The best grass runner in the world (Sea the Stars) is not going to be there. The best grass runner from this country (Gio Ponti) is not going to run on grass. The best European grass runner coming over (Rip Van Winkle) is not going to run on grass. The two best sprinters on the East Coast and arguably the two best dirt sprinters in the country (Fabulous Strike and Kodiak Kowboy) won't be there. The two best 3yo males in the country (Summer Bird and Quality Road) are question marks on the surface. Arguably the top older female from the East (Icon Project) likely won't be there.

Surely, there will be some really good horses that do show up. There will undoubtedly be some outstanding performances put on. The show will go on and overall, I'm sure it will be a great two days of racing. Some champions will be crowned and some history will be made. But there are too many good horses that are missing to say it's the best horses in the world running. I know, every year there are some top horses that miss the races due to injuries but that's not the case this year. This year, we are getting a best of what's left and who best handles the surface rather than true world championships.

Huge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cannotwait

ricksnaturalstar

What we are getting is undoutably the best two days of racing of the year. Could it be better? Sure. I choose to get excited about what it is rather than lament what it's not.

Absolutley..it's a great betting opportunity and there are still great horses.

sidebar..How can you blame the BC on Sea the Stars not coming? There was a better chance of him showing this year than next. Would the dirt lovers disparage the BC then?

Dirt didn't stop Sahkee and Giant's Causeway from trying.

Well...ok..so it that the fault of the surface or the connections now? Not to go down that road now.

So..it's the surfaces' fault that STS isn't running?

churchill

Of course not, but you implied dirt would have stopped him from coming. History shows otherwise.

I'm very slow. Can't be me.

I'llstillgambleanddrink

IhopeSummerBirdtakestosynthetic

WhoNeedsTickets

Surprising

Boxcars !!!!!