It takes a village of idiots

[Linny]

With the pricing and seating issues over the years, the BC is clearly not geared to racing fans or bettors. Bettors are far better off at home or someplace where they can view the track feed for current info and get updates from the internet. Fans (who's primary interest is the racing, not the betting) wont get to see much unless they are very well off or very well connected. A friend of mine watched last years mudfest from a very cushy place near the finish line. She was the only person within shouting distance who actually knew anything about or cared for anything that was going on out there. Everyone else chatted about dresses and jewelry or mutual funds or how the new Mercedes handled. I was out in the bleachers with my hardcore fan friends and the girl in the clubhouse was dying to have us join her so she'd have someone to talk "horse" with. The irony is that she's a professional horsewoman and only got to sit there because her sister's employer is connected to a big BC sponsor.

Rupert is spot on. Most of the people in luxury accomodations at major sporting events from Ascot to Yankee Stadium are corporate bigwigs.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Linny

With the pricing and seating issues over the years, the BC is clearly not geared to racing fans or bettors. Bettors are far better off at home or someplace where they can view the track feed for current info and get updates from the internet. Fans (who's primary interest is the racing, not the betting) wont get to see much unless they are very well off or very well connected. A friend of mine watched last years mudfest from a very cushy place near the finish line. She was the only person within shouting distance who actually knew anything about or cared for anything that was going on out there. Everyone else chatted about dresses and jewelry or mutual funds or how the new Mercedes handled. I was out in the bleachers with my hardcore fan friends and the girl in the clubhouse was dying to have us join her so she'd have someone to talk "horse" with. The irony is that she's a professional horsewoman and only got to sit there because her sister's employer is connected to a big BC sponsor.

Rupert is spot on. Most of the people in luxury accomodations at major sporting events from Ascot to Yankee Stadium are corporate bigwigs.

I love the track and I love to people watch.. I think Breeder Cup is a great time.. not the derby but what is.... At Monmouth last year the weather was horrible and great seats outside the gate were VERY affordable for all folks.. I think racing has to earn as much as they can on the elite days like it or not it takes money to make the sport better.. The real issues are can they use the money correctly if so the fan will be well served giving up their spot on th efinish line one day so that the rest of the year things are improved..