where do you rank this past b cup?

[Thunder Gulch]

I think this is the first time I've come out firmly ahead in several years. Track conditions really help narrow down these deep, deep fields for me. Sure I ended up tossing a few winners simply because of track conditions (English Channel), but the Maryfields and Kip Deville's of the world more than made up for it at the end of the weekend.

[eajinabi]

This yrs BC was crap.

1) Track conditions were sloppy and crappy
2) The addition of 3 more races makes shorter fields in the classic. Without the dirt mile, we might have seen wanderin boy, corinthian, discreet cat and others fill in the BC Classic field making it a fat 12 horse + field.

The 16 race BC program next yr will bring even shorter fields.

[ELA]

I think the racing was great. I'm biased, but regardless, I thought the racing was great. Jeez, how can you not be impressed with what Curlin has done this year. Most impressive performance of the day, and off the cuff, Midnight Lute second, Corinthian third; maybe I'm missing something.

The weather was lousy. It was what it was, Mother Nature -- what can you do. I think "Monmouth Park" as a facility was great. I think they did a super job, facility wise. The teller situation seemed very good, concession stands as well, and there didn't seem to be too many people in a facility that couldn't handle it. The ticket distribution and pricing strucuture is the abolsute worst I've ever seen it. In all the years of the Breeders Cup, it has now achieved a level of being pathetic. It must be changed. The Breeders Cup needs to be "a lot more" of a lot -- a lot more accessible to the masses, customer friendly and conducive, etc. Of course, this is not a host track issue however, it's a Breeders Cup issue.

I believe that the mindset of the Breeders Cup people/management is that they are more concerned about the business aspect, corporate sponsorship, revenues, etc. -- than they are about the show.

Eric

[Rudeboyelvis]

After initially destesting the idea of the Friday -Saturday format, I must admit I LOVE it - Man, taking the afternoon off on Friday to head over to the track (locally, not Monmouth ) for the prelude to Super Saturday was awesome, and something I'll look forward to for years to come.

Overall the racing was above par - and the Classic was one for the ages (save for GW ). Such a shame that the weather played such a huge factor, but one way to look at it is that we had the chance to see what truely great horses will overcome to become champions.

English Channel's Victory in the Turf was epic; what a way to go out!...Ginger Punch silencing (finally!) her critics, the list goes on.....The only strange twist was that I was glad I didn't go this year, and enjoyed the day from home....Nothing against Monmouth, but it ain't Santa Anita

Too bad the track was sloppy but I really enjoyed
the Classic. And of course English Channel winning
the turf in the manner he did was wonderful. The sprint
was really impressive. I enjoyed it.

George Washington's mishap clearly put a damper
on things. The racing itself was enjoyable for me.
Of course I like it almost every year.

[_ed_]

I really enjoyed it until I heard about George Washington. That totally ruined the day for me unfortunately.

I loved the racing up to that point though, despite the weather. Highlights for me were Indian Blessing, War Pass, Midnight Lute and the stretch battle in the Distaff.

I'm hoping next year's will be better.

[JJP]

Its too bad the weather had to suck. I thought the fields for both the Classic and Sprint were excellent. Top performances of the day? Midnight Lute and War Pass. Haven't seen Midnight Lute's Beyer but I'm guessing its in the 120 neighborhood. The Turf could've been a great field if some more top Euros came over; it did have two previous BC Turf winners and an Arc winner.

top performance: Midnight Lute
most tenacious: Ginger Punch
biggest disappointment: Dylan Thomas
worst decision: running GW on the main track, and in slop at that

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by ELA

I think the racing was great. I'm biased, but regardless, I thought the racing was great. Jeez, how can you not be impressed with what Curlin has done this year. Most impressive performance of the day, and off the cuff, Midnight Lute second, Corinthian third; maybe I'm missing something.

The weather was lousy. It was what it was, Mother Nature -- what can you do. I think "Monmouth Park" as a facility was great. I think they did a super job, facility wise. The teller situation seemed very good, concession stands as well, and there didn't seem to be too many people in a facility that couldn't handle it. The ticket distribution and pricing strucuture is the abolsute worst I've ever seen it. In all the years of the Breeders Cup, it has now achieved a level of being pathetic. It must be changed. The Breeders Cup needs to be "a lot more" of a lot -- a lot more accessible to the masses, customer friendly and conducive, etc. Of course, this is not a host track issue however, it's a Breeders Cup issue.

I believe that the mindset of the Breeders Cup people/management is that they are more concerned about the business aspect, corporate sponsorship, revenues, etc. -- than they are about the show.

Eric

I agree, there were some 'wow' performances on the day, even the Distaff division, which everyone had been saying was very dull outside of RTR, gave the best horse to horse battle down the stretch.

Because of Mother Nature I can say I was definitely glad to be watching from home though.

[ELA]

I hate the #'s game, but I came up with about the same, so I think that # is somewhat on. I think Curlin's # will be substantially higher. I won't throw it out there but I think you are at 10% or so.

My "impressive" performances weren't based on #'s however.

Anyway, I can apprecaite watching from home. I like that too, often better than live. I'm just glad it was a great BC week.

Eric