Breeders' Cup Going for Grade 1's Again

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I also dont understand why we necessaily are looking for more European competitors. Outside this year I dont remember the lack of Euros being an issue. I also think a 1 1/4 turf race would be overkill. The worst race and the worst idea is the idea of a dirt marathon. What kind of field would this race attract? The thought that that sort of race would keep horses in training or change breeding patterns is ludicrious.

If we aren't looking for foreign horses in a turf sprint then there is no reason for a purse over $250,000. The exact same American horses will show up either way. Spread that money elsewhere.

You mean there shouldn't be a million dollar race for Malibu Moonshine?

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

If we aren't looking for foreign horses in a turf sprint then there is no reason for a purse over $250,000. The exact same American horses will show up either way. Spread that money elsewhere.

You mean there shouldn't be a million dollar race for Malibu Moonshine?

Dont even joke about that....

[King Glorious]

I actually think that a dirt race at 12f would be a good thing. I know that for the first few years, it's going to be very hard to watch because we simply don't have that many horses that can run well at that distance anymore. But I think that if there is a BC race for them and if there were to be a series in place throughout the year, say 6-8 12f races with purses of $500k or more in each and a points bonus attatched to it, in a few years, there would be horses to fill these races. Today, there is no incentive to breed these kinds of horses because the races for them don't exist. But create a market for them and I think that more breeders would look to fill it.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I actually think that a dirt race at 12f would be a good thing. I know that for the first few years, it's going to be very hard to watch because we simply don't have that many horses that can run well at that distance anymore. But I think that if there is a BC race for them and if there were to be a series in place throughout the year, say 6-8 12f races with purses of $500k or more in each and a points bonus attatched to it, in a few years, there would be horses to fill these races. Today, there is no incentive to breed these kinds of horses because the races for them don't exist. But create a market for them and I think that more breeders would look to fill it.

And I think there should be world peace.

I'll take my hope happens before yours.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I actually think that a dirt race at 12f would be a good thing. I know that for the first few years, it's going to be very hard to watch because we simply don't have that many horses that can run well at that distance anymore. But I think that if there is a BC race for them and if there were to be a series in place throughout the year, say 6-8 12f races with purses of $500k or more in each and a points bonus attatched to it, in a few years, there would be horses to fill these races. Today, there is no incentive to breed these kinds of horses because the races for them don't exist. But create a market for them and I think that more breeders would look to fill it.

You dont create a market with 6 to 8 races regardless of the distance or purse. That kind of thinking shows little understanding of modern breeding practices. And the scary thing is that a lot of people are actually behind this idea. WHich is another reason why the sport rarely does anything right.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

If we aren't looking for foreign horses in a turf sprint then there is no reason for a purse over $250,000. The exact same American horses will show up either way. Spread that money elsewhere.

Despite the negativity to the contrary, turf sprints are a staple of European , Australian and Asian racing. I find it hard to believe that a few of them wouldn't venture over. Personally I believe that the first couple races would draw alot of foreign interest as our turf sprinters are considered 2nd rate internationally chiefly because there are only a few graded races for them. There is no reason why we dont have a stronger turf sprint division. Everybody wrings their hands about so much overlapping of the same type of races drawing short fields but when we talk about creating a new division of races, pretty much from scratch, which can be properly placed throughout the calander with the BC as the final, legit championship race, all I hear is that turf spinters are too inferior to have their own race.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Despite the negativity to the contrary, turf sprints are a staple of European , Australian and Asian racing. I find it hard to believe that a few of them wouldn't venture over. Personally I believe that the first couple races would draw alot of foreign interest as our turf sprinters are considered 2nd rate internationally chiefly because there are only a few graded races for them. There is no reason why we dont have a stronger turf sprint division. Everybody wrings their hands about so much overlapping of the same type of races drawing short fields but when we talk about creating a new division of races, pretty much from scratch, which can be properly placed throughout the calander with the BC as the final, legit championship race, all I hear is that turf spinters are too inferior to have their own race.

If the shoe fits.....

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

If the shoe fits.....

Too simplistic of an argument. There is no reason that we dont have a series of turf sprints ending with a BC race. No one said that the winner would be assigned to the Hall of Fame.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Too simplistic of an argument. There is no reason that we dont have a series of turf sprints ending with a BC race. No one said that the winner would be assigned to the Hall of Fame.

Apparantly you don't read all the threads.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Apparantly you don't read all the threads.

How so?

[blackthroatedwind]

It was joke about some of the crazy suggestions people make.

Chuck, the same horses will show up for $250K. The money is better spent elsewhere ( or nowhere ). Look at the Juvenile turf races this year. The Filly race, for $250K, was exactly the same as the Colt BC for $1 Million. European and foreign participation? You're kidding....right? We get very little and frankly the BC doesn't seem to want any. With many horses not nominated and thus forced to pay exorbitant supplemental fees along with no perks offered by the BC ( as opposed to enormous perks from Japan and Hong Kong ) the best we could hope for were European mediocrities who happened to be nominated. Boy, is that exciting....and really what championship racing should be all about.

Why should racetracks around the country begin to construct a program of races to lead up to the BC? The BC has done the opposite to major races all around the country. They have drained, minimized, and even eliminated major races in just twenty short years. What obligation does the racing community have to work with a group that doesn't work in their better ( not even best ) interests? And, quite frankly, just pumping up purses, and/or creating races, doesn't alter the fact that many, if not most, of these supposed races would be extraordinarily weak fields. And furthermore, if the industry is going to work together on something, a great idea, they shouldn't waste it on the superfluous BC.

Frankly, considering the greed displayed by the BC I am beginning to wonder what major venue will be even interested in hosting it in the future. One can dream, I suppose, that the whole thing just goes away.