Santa Anita set to land 2012 Breeders’ Cup

[Travis Stone]

Much like the major golf tournaments, part of the appeal of say the US Open is that it changes venues every year. It presents new challenges and gives fans from the various regions a chance to experience it. And they re-visit those sites which do a better than average job.

Interestingly, when they did the prime time US Open last year at Pebble Beach, ratings were through the roof... but they did not marry themselves to it despite the success. This year they announced it's headed back to Shinnecock.

My point is part of the appeal of the Breeders' Cup - for someone like myself, who grew-up with the Breeders' Cup already established - was its changing of venues. Bad weather, cool weather... it's all part of the game. I enjoyed watching the Breeders' Cup at Lone Star and Woodbine. I had a blast at Monmouth, even though it rained. And in 1995, that was one of my favorite days ever in horse racing.

This is one of obviously many bullet points/lines of thought, but certainly seems to be one fairly popular with the general fan base.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

Much like the major golf tournaments, part of the appeal of say the US Open is that it changes venues every year. It presents new challenges and gives fans from the various regions a chance to experience it. And they re-visit those sites which do a better than average job.

Interestingly, when they did the prime time US Open last year at Pebble Beach, ratings were through the roof... but they did not marry themselves to it despite the success. This year they announced it's headed back to Shinnecock.

My point is part of the appeal of the Breeders' Cup - for someone like myself, who grew-up with the Breeders' Cup already established - was its changing of venues. Bad weather, cool weather... it's all part of the game. I enjoyed watching the Breeders' Cup at Lone Star and Woodbine. I had a blast at Monmouth, even though it rained. And in 1995, that was one of my favorite days ever in horse racing.

This is one of obviously many bullet points/lines of thought, but certainly seems to be one fairly popular with the general fan base.

Travis The Master's is the better comparision. When they play Amen Corner the planet is watching and is fimilar, we all know 13/15 are reachable etc.. The reason why is because the course has been consistent. CD has the right dimensions to run the proper races. The juggling from place to place doesn't work IMO.

As a East coast resdent I would love it to be Belmont but that is just me being selfish

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Travis The Master's is the better comparision. When they play Amen Corner the planet is watching and is fimilar, we all know 13/15 are reachable etc.. The reason why is because the course has been consistent. CD has the right dimensions to run the proper races. The juggling from place to place doesn't work IMO.

As a East coast resdent I would love it to be Belmont but that is just me being selfish

Disagree. The juggling has worked fine, as Crist expertly noted. As for other sports, changing venue has not hurt the Super Bowl at all.

I like the 4-year rotation idea using Cal, NY, KY, with every 4th year open to a wild card like NJ or FL.

--Dunbar

[Thunder Gulch]

Agree with Dunbar. Move it around and let fans in all parts of the country experience the sports championship day as long as the venue is big enough to deal with the crowd. At least Santa Anita is back on dirt now so we don't have to crown a dirt champion running on synthetic.

[Clip-Clop]

If they can have the freaking Superbowl open air in NJ in February, they can have Breeders Cup anywhere. Though I think weather has become a major factor in the decision process after MTH. Although the horses all ran to form that day really.

[2MinsToPost]

The more things change the more they stay the same. In essence, it has become apparent the New York fan/gambling base is not on the top of the list at the BC lets get this done list of things to do. Support it, or don"t, with your wallet and your remote.