Pay To Rename Races

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by Kasept

How is it different than the 'Shadwell Travers' or 'Darley Test' or 'Coca Cola Bassinet'?

They didn't change the name of the race.. just added the sponsorship co-branding. And kicked the purse up to boot.

I just think there's a difference between corporate sponsorship of a race and what this is. I get where you're coming from Steve, and I'm sure when the race actually gets here I'll just roll my eyes and move on. It's not like it's all bad, it's just not giving me the warm fuzzies. When a horse or a person gets put onto a race, it should be, I feel, an attempt to honor them by the sport, not to pimp their stud career. And what about promoting people that didn't do something noteworthy in the sport? Surely that's fair game if they cough up the dough. Heaven help us if Spencer Pratt's name gets slapped onto a Derby prep. I think The Real Housewives of Atlanta Fountain of Youth Stakes would be a fun mouthful. NeNe could give out the trophy.

I'm still steamed about renaming the Sir Barton, La Troienne, and Lady's Secret. At least there, it was honoring somebody though. I guess the problem I have here is that the answer to 'what's in a name?' is 'whatever you're willing to pay for.'