If you haven't seen Steve Crist's most recent zippy column, it takes dead aim at the silly braying for various horses to run in the Breeders' Cup "for the good of the game". For instance, John Pricci had one of those impassioned and idiotic calls for Zenyatta to run in the Classic that I thought was a particularly special display of grandstanding. Crist cuts to the core and is especially right here:
The theory seems to be that horsemen should ignore their own expert opinions about what would be best for their horses and run them where they don't really want to, because somehow this will send horse racing to the top of the charts and energize an apathetic general public.
When it comes to virtually any aspect of the game's qualities or deficiencies, Crist consistently can be counted upon to get it right and express it best. His work alone makes the DRF Plus subscription worthwhile...
Spare me, please, 'For the good of the game'
By STEVEN CRIST
http://www.drf.com/drfNewsArticle.do?NID=98991
NEW YORK - In these final days before the Breeders' Cup pre-entry deadline Tuesday, we've been hearing a lot about how various owners have a duty or obligation about if and when to run their horses under the banner of "for the good of the game."
This is why Curlin is supposed to run in the Classic despite his handlers' lack of enthusiasm for racing on a new synthetic track; why Zenyatta is supposed to take on the boys instead of being odds-on in the Ladies' Classic; why Commentator and Vineyard Haven and even Zarkava should be entered despite their connections' clear preference to call it a year.
In a sort of twisted version of "My country, right or wrong," owners and trainers are supposed to participate in and support the Breeders' Cup because this will draw more television viewers, create new fans, and attract hordes of new advertisers and sponsors.