Crist: The BC deserves NOT to have RA

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

No, my point is that as between the Preakness and the Belmont, the Preakness was the more opportune race in which to challenge the boys - and they opted for the Preakness (and having made that decision, I think they did the right thing by the filly in skipping the Belmont). Fast-forward to the summer, as between the Haskell and the Travers, the Haskell presented the more opportune race for her (on a speed-favoring oval at 9F against a stretch-out sprinter and a horse that had not competed since the Belmont and who was clearly prepping for the Travers).

i think they were considering the travers next all along-as long as she did well in the haskell. but with kensei's emergence, jackson has a second travers prospect. rachel seems better than the other colts, so i can a reason to try older horses in the woodward and try to get the travers with the up and comer. i just don't agree that they're taking the 'safe' route with her. that would be shirreffs doing that!

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i think they were considering the travers next all along-as long as she did well in the haskell. but with kensei's emergence, jackson has a second travers prospect. rachel seems better than the other colts, so i can a reason to try older horses in the woodward and try to get the travers with the up and comer. i just don't agree that they're taking the 'safe' route with her. that would be shirreffs doing that!

I resigned myself a long time ago that Rachel and Zenyatta will never meet (and the whole detention barn thing is a weak excuse for Zenyatta not to race in New York). Working from that assumption, IMO, the only appropriate spot for Rachel and the "good of the game," which Jackson says he's in this for, is the Travers, Kensei or no Kensei.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

I resigned myself a long time ago that Rachel and Zenyatta will never meet (and the whole detention barn thing is a weak excuse for Zenyatta not to race in New York). Working from that assumption, IMO, the only appropriate spot for Rachel and the "good of the game," which Jackson says he's in this for, is the Travers, Kensei or no Kensei.

I agree 100% If he wants to give the fans a show, then that's the spot, The Traver's. Sure die hard horse fans might think either the Personal Ensign or the Woodward is the better spot, but when you are talking about attracting people to the sport on a non Triple Crown, Non Derby event, this is it.
To them having the Ky Derby Winner, Preakeness Winner and Belmont Winner all in the same race peaks EVERYONE'S interest even the casual to non horse racing fan. And to be played out in front of a national audience instead of TVG is important.

This is what would be best for the sport.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by boswd

I agree 100% If he wants to give the fans a show, then that's the spot, The Traver's. Sure die hard horse fans might think either the Personal Ensign or the Woodward is the better spot, but when you are talking about attracting people to the sport on a non Triple Crown, Non Derby event, this is it.
To them having the Ky Derby Winner, Preakeness Winner and Belmont Winner all in the same race peaks EVERYONE'S interest even the casual to non horse racing fan. And to be played out in front of a national audience instead of TVG is important.

This is what would be best for the sport.

i don't think it's a given that mine that bird will run. or that summer bird will-especially if rachel runs. they both have suffered a loss at her hands, and with both vying for top colt, i don't see them taking her on again.

on another note-i have yet to see a good explanation as to why the 'casual fans' feelings should be taken more into consideration then the fans who actually keep this sport going? derby-goers plunking down $2 once a year on the horse with the cool name is NOT what keeps the derby going. yes, a few new fans being gained would be nice, but having rachel in the travers won't necessarily make that happen.
piquing interest is all well and good-but has the fan base grown because she ran in the preakness or the haskell? the casual derby fan wouldn't know what you're talking about when you mention the travers. they go to the derby because it's an event, like the super bowl-not because it's a horse race.

[Left Bank]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i don't think it's a given that mine that bird will run. or that summer bird will-especially if rachel runs. they both have suffered a loss at her hands, and with both vying for top colt, i don't see them taking her on again.

on another note-i have yet to see a good explanation as to why the 'casual fans' feelings should be taken more into consideration then the fans who actually keep this sport going? derby-goers plunking down $2 once a year on the horse with the cool name is NOT what keeps the derby going. yes, a few new fans being gained would be nice, but having rachel in the travers won't necessarily make that happen.
piquing interest is all well and good-but has the fan base grown because she ran in the preakness or the haskell? the casual derby fan wouldn't know what you're talking about when you mention the travers. they go to the derby because it's an event, like the super bowl-not because it's a horse race.

Or like Kid Rock said in his derby interview"I'm just here to Drink!!"

[boswd]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i don't think it's a given that mine that bird will run. or that summer bird will-especially if rachel runs. they both have suffered a loss at her hands, and with both vying for top colt, i don't see them taking her on again.

on another note-i have yet to see a good explanation as to why the 'casual fans' feelings should be taken more into consideration then the fans who actually keep this sport going? derby-goers plunking down $2 once a year on the horse with the cool name is NOT what keeps the derby going. yes, a few new fans being gained would be nice, but having rachel in the travers won't necessarily make that happen.
piquing interest is all well and good-but has the fan base grown because she ran in the preakness or the haskell? the casual derby fan wouldn't know what you're talking about when you mention the travers. they go to the derby because it's an event, like the super bowl-not because it's a horse race.

simply because you hope that casual and non fan start to become die hard fans. We all had to start somewhere.
You're right they may not know what we mean with Travers or Haskell etc. mean but they do know what the Derby, Preaknes and Belmont mean.
Of course nothing is a guarantee but this is what we have to work with, our Triple Crown winners are the stars and the fact that one of them is a female is just icing on the cake.

Just not doing anything will not draw anyone in, and I'm sure alot of die hards would love to see this race too.

Bottom line, no marque matchups and having big non TC races only being seen on TVG = no new fans.

all three winners in the same race + natiional telecast = a shot of drawing in the next die hard fan.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by boswd

simply because you hope that casual and non fan start to become die hard fans. We all had to start somewhere.
You're right they may not know what we mean with Travers or Haskell etc. mean but they do know what the Derby, Preaknes and Belmont mean.
Of course nothing is a guarantee but this is what we have to work with, our Triple Crown winners are the stars and the fact that one of them is a female is just icing on the cake.

Just not doing anything will not draw anyone in, and I'm sure alot of die hards would love to see this race too.

Bottom line, no marque matchups and having big non TC races only being seen on TVG = no new fans.

all three winners in the same race + natiional telecast = a shot of drawing in the next die hard fan.

if the biggest race in the world fails to draw new fans, why would the travers? i read all the time about the hottest horse (curlin, smarty, barbaro, etc, etc) being the one to draw fans-but year after year, it doesn't happen. whether rachel goes to the travers or not, i don't see it making a casual fan into a hardcore fan. now, taking someone who has exhibited interest to the track, and showing them the ropes-you might just get a new one there. but seeing a filly race colts won't suddenly make people want to learn to read the form.

[Left Bank]

This bullshit about "Drawing new fans in" and"He/she needs to race to save racing"is just that,Bullshit.I've been hearing it year in and year out for the last 10 years that I have had internet service.Racing has been going for hundreds of years,and the only threat that I see to racing is PETA,and similar groups,who generate huge amounts of cash to buy and influence votes.

[Left Bank]

P.S. Rachael will kick Zenyatta's Lazy California ass all over the place.