ESPN needs new Horse Racing crew

[FGFan]

Originally Posted by brianwspencer

Also, I thought that the inclusion of the MPH was one of the most stupid and useless pieces of information they could give us during a race. I see no point in having that information shown during the running of the race.

I found it interesting, not necessary, but interesting.
I enjoy ESPN, TVG and hope to enjoy HRTV when I add Dish.
As long as horse racing is broadcast, I'm happy.

[fpsoxfan]

I've always been a Jeannine Edwards fan, but standing behind the winners circle on Whitney Day sort of ruined it for me. She does have the vein thing going on, but I can look past that. The thing that surprised me was how anal and uptight she was kind of bossing everyone around when the camera wasn't on her. I guess that's just part of her job, but that was a little personality turn off for me. As far a Mayne, he could be a little more serious at times, but for the most part he's pretty good. Moss does a super job and Bailey is O.K. Hank doesn't bother me. You have to love unintentional comedy.

[2 Dollar Bill]

I wonder if the REAL question is.... Does Horse Racing Need ESPN. ?
After all ESPN will void a horse race if........ something....ANYTHING goes extra time.... and who suffers ? If Horse Racing could get there act right and let ONE place take bets, show ALL the tracks and make the $$$$$ paying customers Happy. After all,shouldnt business do that to the people who pay the bills ?

[ELA]

I won't get into the petty remarks or what have you, however, IMO, I think ESPN does a very good job vis a vis "the product" that is made available to them, time slots, programming decisions, etc. Remember, the on-air talent doesn't control content or context for that matter. As far as on-air talent, I personally think there should be more of a "Bob Costas" element to broadcasting. The warm and fuzzies are great, but there is always more.

Personally, personal feelings aside, reputation on the backstretch, etc. -- I like what Jerry Bailey brings to the table. I don't often like the delivery, voice inflection, and similar attributes, but I have always said that getting a jockey's perspective on various aspects of racing is something that most fans -- including most here -- don't see, know about, understand, and so on. Don't get me wrong, if you are not interested in that, great, take what you like and leave the rest. However, how many people have ever seen the starting gate up close and now about all the steps leading up to the break? And everything that happens at the break and into the start of the race. There's so much in our sport that is so great and the public should see that.

As far as being on camera, in my own field, professionally, I have been on national TV/cable numerous times. Let me say this -- it ain't easy, LOL. You could know everything in the world about the topic at hand and -- it still ain't easy, LOL. When you are the on-air talent for a segment, normally, you are in a zone of being able to perform -- that's what you do. You rely on many people to do many things so that you can perform.

Anyway, I think "the product" is not an easy one to televise, and it needs to be positioned or repositioned. There are some great stories that the public should see and hear about. The "behind the scenes" aspects are rarely seen and that too could enhance the product so to speak. Of course, like many, we should see more of it.

Eric