BC Board approves initiative plan; Sanan elaborates on ATR

[Kasept]

There are no decisions or commitments in place. Santa Anita is a possible site, as is Churchill or Hialeah or Belmont... Racetracks are being asked to offer proposals for partnership with BC Limited as possible permanent sites, and a process will evolve from there. And absolutely nothing related to Santa Anita will be determined until the resolution of the Magna bankruptcy.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Kasept

There are no decisions or commitments in place. Santa Anita is a possible site, as is Churchill or Hialeah or Belmont... Racetracks are being asked to offer proposals for partnership with BC Limited as possible permanent sites, and a process will evolve from there. And absolutely nothing related to Santa Anita will be determined until the resolution of the Magna bankruptcy.

The only way a track operator would want to be the perm host is if they own a piece of the action, at least the way the system is currently set up. Perhaps the BC is looking for a big cash infusion from the exclusive operator in exchange for a piece of the pie. That would be extremely dangerous and short sighted on their part. 5 years ago they would have partnered with Magna in a heartbeat and last year a slew of people would have loved to sign on with Halsey Minor. Both would have been huge errors according to the current situation. One of the things that made the BC unique was the different venues.

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

The only way a track operator would want to be the perm host is if they own a piece of the action, at least the way the system is currently set up. Perhaps the BC is looking for a big cash infusion from the exclusive operator in exchange for a piece of the pie. That would be extremely dangerous and short sighted on their part. 5 years ago they would have partnered with Magna in a heartbeat and last year a slew of people would have loved to sign on with Halsey Minor. Both would have been huge errors according to the current situation. One of the things that made the BC unique was the different venues.

I also thought it moved around to help promote and grow the sport...but I guess if the economics are breaking down that might be the reason.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

The only way a track operator would want to be the perm host is if they own a piece of the action, at least the way the system is currently set up. Perhaps the BC is looking for a big cash infusion from the exclusive operator in exchange for a piece of the pie. That would be extremely dangerous and short sighted on their part. 5 years ago they would have partnered with Magna in a heartbeat and last year a slew of people would have loved to sign on with Halsey Minor. Both would have been huge errors according to the current situation. One of the things that made the BC unique was the different venues.

BC is a bad idea already but it is here too stay. I like BC day, but I like Tuesdays in Feb at Aqueduct. The point of having it at CD every year is to build the day, make it a destination event. With it all over the place it is harder to market. Plus the configurations of different track make things even more dodgy. CD does a great job with the Derby and the weather in KY can be suitable. I really dont care if it is a rotation or at CD, or even dropped for that matter, but it would be a lot easier to market if it was in one place.

[johnny pinwheel]

Originally Posted by freddymo

BC is a bad idea already but it is here too stay. I like BC day, but I like Tuesdays in Feb at Aqueduct. The point of having it at CD every year is to build the day, make it a destination event. With it all over the place it is harder to market. Plus the configurations of different track make things even more dodgy. CD does a great job with the Derby and the weather in KY can be suitable. I really dont care if it is a rotation or at CD, or even dropped for that matter, but it would be a lot easier to market if it was in one place.

i like your DROPPED idea the best at this point.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by freddymo

BC is a bad idea already but it is here too stay. I like BC day, but I like Tuesdays in Feb at Aqueduct. The point of having it at CD every year is to build the day, make it a destination event. With it all over the place it is harder to market. Plus the configurations of different track make things even more dodgy. CD does a great job with the Derby and the weather in KY can be suitable. I really dont care if it is a rotation or at CD, or even dropped for that matter, but it would be a lot easier to market if it was in one place.

If its going to be put at a permanent spot.. it wont be at CD, it will be at SA.

[Travis Stone]

The Breeders' Cup has made a lot of good moves... yeah, the two day event wasn't completely won over at first, and it still has kinks, but its young. Ultimately, the amount of money wagered on those two days is a significant number to plop into the BC.XLS spreadsheet.

That said, I think where the BC is pinched right now are the fields.... some of the races this year were rather "lame" races to bet. Yeah, lots of quality, but I never was excited to bet the F&M Turf for example. With the BC I want 14 horse fields, some craziness and good times.

I think one of their initiatives should be growing the event state-side in addition to worldwide. 7 versus 14 horses is a massive handle difference that equates to millions in revenue.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

If its going to be put at a permanent spot.. it wont be at CD, it will be at SA.

i sure hope not.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

If its going to be put at a permanent spot.. it wont be at CD, it will be at SA.

That is what I heard too...

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

If its going to be put at a permanent spot.. it wont be at CD, it will be at SA.

Assuming a traditional dirt surface is brought back to SA, how will making SA the permanent site sit with the Euros. I thought they preferred the East Coast or Midwest venues because of the cooler weather and greater chance of getting soft turf in late fall.

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by DaTruth

Assuming a traditional dirt surface is brought back to SA, how will making SA the permanent site sit with the Euros. I thought they preferred the East Coast or Midwest venues because of the cooler weather and greater chance of getting soft turf in late fall.

Not to mention they like the synth too.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by DaTruth

Assuming a traditional dirt surface is brought back to SA, how will making SA the permanent site sit with the Euros. I thought they preferred the East Coast or Midwest venues because of the cooler weather and greater chance of getting soft turf in late fall.

The Euro's have been doing pretty well on SA turf!

If they make SA dirt I think I'd be okay with that. The BC has fallen so far down my list of exciting racing events anyway.

I enjoy the TC races, TC preps, all 36 Saratoga days, JCGC and many other events much more than the BC lately! Who knows though if it goes back to dirt I might get interested again.

[kgar311]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

If its going to be put at a permanent spot.. it wont be at CD, it will be at SA.

Paul Moran seems to think if this happens NY will counter.

The Breeders' Cup only works if it maintains a monopoly and should someone in authority at NYRA decide to add some cash to the pot and do a bit of autumn rescheduling, it is not far-fetched that the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, Beldame, Flower Bowl Invitational, Vosburgh, Kelso Handicap, Champagne and Frizette could be run on the same day at Belmont Park, effectively mirroring the entire Breeders' Cup spectrum with the exception of the Dirt Mile. All but the Grade 2 Kelso enjoy longstanding Grade 1 status. No one in this industry owes allegiance to the Breeders' Cup, which would most certainly render itself vulnerable to competition were it to station itself permanently on a synthetic surface. The schism would be irreparable.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/hor...aul&id=4742192

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by kgar311

Paul Moran seems to think if this happens NY will counter.

The Breeders' Cup only works if it maintains a monopoly and should someone in authority at NYRA decide to add some cash to the pot and do a bit of autumn rescheduling, it is not far-fetched that the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, Beldame, Flower Bowl Invitational, Vosburgh, Kelso Handicap, Champagne and Frizette could be run on the same day at Belmont Park, effectively mirroring the entire Breeders' Cup spectrum with the exception of the Dirt Mile. All but the Grade 2 Kelso enjoy longstanding Grade 1 status. No one in this industry owes allegiance to the Breeders' Cup, which would most certainly render itself vulnerable to competition were it to station itself permanently on a synthetic surface. The schism would be irreparable.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/hor...aul&id=4742192

another facet to the issue. having rotations keeps other tracks involved, albeit not every year. remove that carrot of being a future host, the track won't have a reason to avoid competing with the card. and as was mentioned above, not everyone likes cali tracks, or cali weather. several horses don't come from overseas each year due to the warmth in southern cal, as well as the firmer turf surface.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by kgar311

Paul Moran seems to think if this happens NY will counter.

The Breeders' Cup only works if it maintains a monopoly and should someone in authority at NYRA decide to add some cash to the pot and do a bit of autumn rescheduling, it is not far-fetched that the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, Beldame, Flower Bowl Invitational, Vosburgh, Kelso Handicap, Champagne and Frizette could be run on the same day at Belmont Park, effectively mirroring the entire Breeders' Cup spectrum with the exception of the Dirt Mile. All but the Grade 2 Kelso enjoy longstanding Grade 1 status. No one in this industry owes allegiance to the Breeders' Cup, which would most certainly render itself vulnerable to competition were it to station itself permanently on a synthetic surface. The schism would be irreparable.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/hor...aul&id=4742192

There are an awful lot of people who run in the BC because it's the BC - I don't think that tactic would work. There were only about 4 horses that were witheld from running in the BC.

There are not enough top horses in training to support this proposed card and the BC card so what they would get is a bunch of allowance type horses running for a lot of money in NY. Unless Jess Jackson gets a stable full of Champions of course.

[TouchOfGrey]

should someone in authority at NYRA decide to add some cash to the pot and do a bit of autumn rescheduling, it is not far-fetched that the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, Beldame, Flower Bowl Invitational, Vosburgh, Kelso Handicap, Champagne and Frizette could be run on the same day at Belmont Park, effectively mirroring the entire Breeders' Cup spectrum with the exception of the Dirt Mile. All but the Grade 2 Kelso enjoy longstanding Grade 1 status.

This would be awesome.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by freddymo

BC is a bad idea already but it is here too stay. I like BC day, but I like Tuesdays in Feb at Aqueduct. The point of having it at CD every year is to build the day, make it a destination event. With it all over the place it is harder to market. Plus the configurations of different track make things even more dodgy. CD does a great job with the Derby and the weather in KY can be suitable. I really dont care if it is a rotation or at CD, or even dropped for that matter, but it would be a lot easier to market if it was in one place.

Right but since the BC takes virtually all of the revenue under the current setup, what's in it for CD?

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Right but since the BC takes virtually all of the revenue under the current setup, what's in it for CD?

exactly! part of the bc's issue is they take every bit of the bc handle. that's why i don't see monmouth trying again any time soon to be host.

[docicu3]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Right but since the BC takes virtually all of the revenue under the current setup, what's in it for CD?

Although he went out of his way to say 1) there is no deal at present 2) they have spent a ton of money and time looking at these sites:

a) CD
b) SA
c) Belmont
d) Woodbine

3) They have spent more than enough time and money to solve this for the long term sometime in calendar year 2010.....

He made a couple comments that left you with the idea that CD has no interest in making a long term commitment to something that does not give them control of it.

It just seemed from listening to him yesterday, without saying it emphatically, that the permanent home will end up being SA and that the silly putty track will be ripped out for dirt as a condition of the agreement.

I would be very surprised if others listening didn't come away with the same conclusion.

At least he didn't cus like a sailor this week, you can hear the frustration in the poor guys voice when he talks about the continued lack of uniform agreement among the holy 47.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by docicu3

Although he went out of his way to say 1) there is no deal at present 2) they have spent a ton of money and time looking at these sites:

a) CD
b) SA
c) Belmont
d) Woodbine

3) They have spent more than enough time and money to solve this for the long term sometime in calendar year 2010.....

He made a couple comments that left you with the idea that CD has no interest in making a long term commitment to something that does not give them control of it.

It just seemed from listening to him yesterday, without saying it emphatically, that the permanent home will end up being SA and that the silly putty track will be ripped out for dirt as a condition of the agreement.

I would be very surprised if others listening didn't come away with the same conclusion.

At least he didn't cus like a sailor this week, you can hear the frustration in the poor guys voice when he talks about the continued lack of uniform agreement among the holy 47.

What's in it for Santa Anita? The host tracks doesnt make a windfall off of the event so why be the permanent host of an event that takes a tremendous amount of work to pull off but isnt compensating you? I just cant believe anyone would want to be a permanent host under the current setup.