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Originally Posted by Holland Hacker
Some of my own observations:
Breeders Cup:
Is it possible that the Breeders Cup is destroying racing to some degree. I know that at the end of the year there is one great day of racing, but what has been the cost of that one day? Now the entire Fall Championship meetings whether at Keeneland, Belmont or Santa Anita have become "prep" races for the Breeders Cup. Prior to the Breeders' Cup these races actually had full fields and were competetive. Do any of you remember when the Woodward or Jockey Club Gold Cup were races with full fields and the outcome had year end award implications?
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Uh-oh, I'd better get my editorial on this topic finished before you scoop me. The Breeders' Cup is not only destroying stakes racing in the fall, its "Win this and you are the champion" message is totally wrong for the sport. Horse racing isn't like the NFL - win the Super Bowl and you're the champion. It's more like golf or NASCAR; you can win one of the big ones (the Masters or Daytona) without being the best of the year - the body of work has more impact on championships. And far too often, the best horse in a division isn't even nominated (from South America, usually) and has to sit out or pay enormous supplemental fees.
I have another argument having to do with how having a BC Sprint is destroying the breed, but this forum probably isn't interested.