New 'special' launch for Breeders' Cup! A tradition like no other..

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

These threads always turn into little contests of wit and sarcasm and that's cool but remember kids... fans either become - or are - bettors. The couple of threads every year about generating new anything, bringing new people to the sport, wwhhhaaahhh-it's-dying-what-do-we-do-oh-lookie-here's-an-email-askng-for-suggestions etc...you've got to be able to accept this kinda thing cause it's just the way it is.

I have to disagree with the highlighted part. The "fans" that would most likely be interested in this are the same people talking to her on facebook as if she is really responding and checking her blog everyday to see if there is an exciting update like she made a big sh.it or something. These aren't bettors and never will be. Not that they have to be, but betting $2 a year in the Derby on the horsey with the bestest name doesn't make you a bettor.

She was and continues to be an incredible PR machine though. I just wish these efforts actually did something that helps the sport grow where it needs to.

Besides Freddy and Stonegossard, who really wants Jerry Moss's autograph anyway?

[Gate Dancer]

Blame!!

I hear they're shipping in a 'synthetic' dance floor to really enhance the 'experience'..................

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

I have to disagree with the highlighted part. The "fans" that would most likely be interested in this are the same people talking to her on facebook as if she is really responding and checking her blog everyday to see if there is an exciting update like she made a big sh.it or something. These aren't bettors and never will be. Not that they have to be, but betting $2 a year in the Derby on the horsey with the bestest name doesn't make you a bettor.

She was and continues to be an incredible PR machine though. I just wish these efforts actually did something that helps the sport grow where it needs to.

Hossy you're right in that I shouldn't have announced that they all become playahs. I really just meant the people I know or have met.

It's interesting because they're the ones who actually go to the track while I know a lot of people just wager online for the most part - myself included.

Zenyatta came along at the single perfect time in terms of the PR machine thing, as you kinda pointed out.

These people do understand the value of it and have done a fantastic job keeping their fans interested.

This whole event is, apparently, for charity so at least there's that.

I hate bullies and always have and sometimes the fans get bullied on racing boards.

We all have people we remember from differnt boards and different times...

On the old TT forum there was a guy who went by Royal Blue (I won't say it...) and while he was fanatical and annoying and silly and a lot of other things that one could just call tiresome he did have enthusiasm.

Now even the most hardened posters there... no one tried to crush that.

Know what I'm saying?

Let's not round up and kill the Zenyatta crowd.

They're not hurting anyone and they're not too vocal these days.

I mean right?

Originally Posted by Dahoss

Besides Freddy and Stonegossard, who really wants Jerry Moss's autograph anyway?

[Riot]

Well ... can't knock a charity event.

[Dahoss]

I do know what you are saying, but I also think that her crowd was so over the top (not every fan, but there were a lot) and continues to be that it's okay to laugh at it.

I think even the prettiest horsey person in the world can see why some might think it is funny (or weird or whatever) to talk to horses online as if they are responding back. Instead of taking offense to it (not saying you, just in general) maybe if they had a little sense of humor about themselves and what they were doing there wouldn't be the resentment.

[pointman]

I think they should allow only Zenyatta to enter the Classic let her run around the track and give her horse of the year.

This would give her faithful a stronger case for winning it than last year and the Mosses won't have to lobby as much for it.

[Danzig]

the scream.jpg

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

I do know what you are saying, but I also think that her crowd was so over the top (not every fan, but there were a lot) and continues to be that it's okay to laugh at it.

I think even the prettiest horsey person in the world can see why some might think it is funny (or weird or whatever) to talk to horses online as if they are responding back. Instead of taking offense to it (not saying you, just in general) maybe if they had a little sense of humor about themselves and what they were doing there wouldn't be the resentment.

Absolutely!

[TouchOfGrey]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

I think even the prettiest horsey person in the world can see why some might think it is funny (or weird or whatever) to talk to horses online as if they are responding back. Instead of taking offense to it (not saying you, just in general) maybe if they had a little sense of humor about themselves and what they were doing there wouldn't be the resentment.

You mean, that's NOT really Uncle Mo I'm talking to on his Facebook page?

[OldDog]

Originally Posted by TouchOfGrey

You mean, that's NOT really Uncle Mo I'm talking to on his Facebook page?

Or Shackleford?

Really, there is too much of this going on for my taste. Look, I'm a guy who admits to giving my dogs a smooch on the head now and then, and my love for the horses is what brought me to this sport. But this bit with horses "posting" on their facebook page is over the top. I try to ignore it.

I'm also a fan that enjoys visiting retired horses at the farms. But I enjoy that and admire them for what they are, and I feel that attempts to humanize them, particularly with cutesy-talk, somehow diminishes that. Yes, they have personalities, and they are individuals, but they are horses. Admire them for being great horses.

[GenuineRisk]

I just wish someone would talk to Shackleford about his excessive use of the em dash in his status updates.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by OldDog

Or Shackleford?

Really, there is too much of this going on for my taste. Look, I'm a guy who admits to giving my dogs a smooch on the head now and then, and my love for the horses is what brought me to this sport. But this bit with horses "posting" on their facebook page is over the top. I try to ignore it.

I'm also a fan that enjoys visiting retired horses at the farms. But I enjoy that and admire them for what they are, and I feel that attempts to humanize them, particularly with cutesy-talk, somehow diminishes that. Yes, they have personalities, and they are individuals, but they are horses. Admire them for being great horses.

the whole love affair with facebook is something i still don't understand. but knowing how some are in general regarding that site, i can imagine they'd be into such nonsense as a page with a horse that 'posts'.
as for what i'd do if i had a horse that everyone wanted to pester...i'd probably arrange for days people could see her at the farm, since many farms don't showcase the mares. keeping her racing a bit longer would have been an acceptable move-she hadn't shown any sign of losing her ability when they chose to send her to ky.

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by Danzig

the whole love affair with facebook is something i still don't understand. but knowing how some are in general regarding that site, i can imagine they'd be into such nonsense as a page with a horse that 'posts'.
as for what i'd do if i had a horse that everyone wanted to pester...i'd probably arrange for days people could see her at the farm, since many farms don't showcase the mares. keeping her racing a bit longer would have been an acceptable move-she hadn't shown any sign of losing her ability when they chose to send her to ky.

I think it's an easy, inexpensive way for fans to keep up with their favorite horses. Visitation days are great, but not everyone can afford to travel out to visit a farm, especially one that's across the country from them. And definitely takes less effort from a horse's connections than having to answer a lot of emails individually.

Though I just popped over to FB to see the page and it mainly seems to be a vehicle to drive traffic to the Zenyatta website.