Breeders' Cup 2014

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Some should post Paul Moran's espn article. I can't currently but it is very good.

It is a joke Belmont is not in a rotation with CD, SA, and GP. They are simply the best options.

http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/stor...nta-anita-park


'Breeder's Cup leadership has gone to great lengths to sully what was once the focus of the racing season. First, the expansion of the event into a two-day hodge-podge of races, many of which lack consequence and standing, abandoned the central concept that these are races intended to determine championships in every case. Now, on Monday, comes the announcement that the event will be couched at Santa Anita in 2014, a third consecutive Southern California renewal of what was once intended by its founders to be a moveable feast. After the 2014 running, five of the last seven Breeders' Cups will have been run at Santa Anita.'



'Originally, the founders established seven races, a program now expanded to 14 -- several meaningless in terms of the establishment of champions -- spread over two days. The present-day Breeders' Cup resembles the original concept in no more than the most obtuse sense and this is not a development for the better. Nine races run on one afternoon would be sufficient. The others do nothing for the event except create betting handle on an otherwise slow Friday. Only a fractional sliver of the current event -- one hour -- commands broadcast-network exposure. In the grand scheme, the Breeders' Cup is contracting in terms of importance and prestige. Squatting in Southern California will only deepen the self-inflicted wounds.'