Rachel Alexandra Retired

[Clip-Clop]

Originally Posted by iamthelurker

Though I agree, what would you rather see?

Don't get me wrong, I want the fight to go, just resigned to the fact it isn't going to happen. Much like I was with the RA/Zen race we all wanted. Plenty of blame to go around too in both situations.

[iamthelurker]

Originally Posted by Clip-Clop

Don't get me wrong, I want the fight to go, just resigned to the fact it isn't going to happen. Much like I was with the RA/Zen race we all wanted. Plenty of blame to go around too in both situations.

+1

[slotdirt]

Debbie Downer voice or Dudley Do Right voice? What did I say that isn't true?

In any event, it has nothing to do with being old (which I am most definitely not), but more to do with seeing things how they are. Racing is a sport that isn't carried financially by its stars and it will always be that way. Nothing anybody can do to change it.

[iamthelurker]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

Debbie Downer voice or Dudley Do Right voice? What did I say that isn't true?

In any event, it has nothing to do with being old (which I am most definitely not), but more to do with seeing things how they are. Racing is a sport that isn't carried financially by its stars and it will always be that way. Nothing anybody can do to change it.

^ Not accepting his age OR satisfaction from pessimism?

[slotdirt]

One man's pessimism is another man's realism. And age isn't anything but a number. Zing.

[iamthelurker]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

One man's pessimism is another man's realism. And age isn't anything but a number. Zing.

Zing...ok your not old.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

I disagree with the bolded. people who watch races and dont wager on them dont hold much value to this sport IMO. Personally, I dont hold value to this sport because I do not wager much. Everyone involved at the race track makes money only one way.. through wagering.

But they may become involved in the business in other ways, perhaps as owners. I don't want to turn the discussion into the value of owners versus the value of bettors to the business. Suffice it to say, horse racing could not survive without either.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Clip-Clop

Mayweather would have destroyed him. No loss other than tons of $ to the fight promoters/Vegas/participants.

I disagree. If Mayweather thought he would destroy him, they would be getting ready to fight. And to the few remaining fans of the sport, it is a loss. Just as to the few remaining fans of the sport, RA vs Z never happening was a loss to the sport.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I disagree. If Mayweather thought he would destroy him, they would be getting ready to fight. And to the few remaining fans of the sport, it is a loss. Just as to the few remaining fans of the sport, RA vs Z never happening was a loss to the sport.

[Clip-Clop]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I disagree. If Mayweather thought he would destroy him, they would be getting ready to fight. And to the few remaining fans of the sport, it is a loss. Just as to the few remaining fans of the sport, RA vs Z never happening was a loss to the sport.

Sad to say, as one of the remaining fans (I bet often but will still watch and enjoy if I am not) of both sports (probably born about 50 years too late) that I agree, it is a loss to the fans, but fans don't give up on a sport because on event doesn't go. As far as creating new fans...Mayweather v. Pac-Man would not, fight would be too scientific for the casual observer, go the distance and be a scorecard rout, IMO Pac has no D. While we all so badly wanted to see RA v Z nobody is going to give up on horse racing because it didn't happen.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by HomerS

Way too much time has been wasted on trying to get small time players (or non players) to come out to the track a couple of times a year. As opposed to focusing on your core audience and getting them to increase their handle- whether live, or off track.

I'm not sure I agree that the highlighted part has actually happened...though it has sure been talked to death.

Obviously, I agree with the latter part.

Yes, you want to introduce new people to the game if possible, and explore that, but it is your core customer that needs to be catered to.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Clip-Clop

Sad to say, as one of the remaining fans (I bet often but will still watch and enjoy if I am not) of both sports (probably born about 50 years too late) that I agree, it is a loss to the fans, but fans don't give up on a sport because on event doesn't go. As far as creating new fans...Mayweather v. Pac-Man would not, fight would be too scientific for the casual observer, go the distance and be a scorecard rout, IMO Pac has no D. While we all so badly wanted to see RA v Z nobody is going to give up on horse racing because it didn't happen.

I do believe that fans give up on a sport because big events dont go. Perhaps not one singular event, but the frustration levels eventually lead to a breaking point. I won't buy Pac/Margarito as I didnt buy Mosley/Mora. They just arent compelling events. I'm not the only one that feels this way. I dont think that Pacquio would let any fight be scientific. His willingness to take punches may work against him in a fight against mayweather. But he would certainly score more against mayweather than the over the hill gang that he has been facing and Floyd is a great frontrunner who may fight a little different if he was faced with real adversity. Not to mention that I can't see a guy who constantly has money problems passing up upwards of 50 million for a fight he truly thinks he will win.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I'm not sure I agree that the highlighted part has actually happened...though it has sure been talked to death.

Obviously, I agree with the latter part.

Yes, you want to introduce new people to the game if possible, and explore that, but it is your core customer that needs to be catered to.

I have a hard time seeing where a race pitting two great fillies who have never met wouldn't appeal to both.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I have a hard time seeing where a race pitting two great fillies who have never met wouldn't appeal to both.

Who would argue with that?

[Clip-Clop]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I do believe that fans give up on a sport because big events dont go. Perhaps not one singular event, but the frustration levels eventually lead to a breaking point. I won't buy Pac/Margarito as I didnt buy Mosley/Mora. They just arent compelling events. I'm not the only one that feels this way. I dont think that Pacquio would let any fight be scientific. His willingness to take punches may work against him in a fight against mayweather. But he would certainly score more against mayweather than the over the hill gang that he has been facing and Floyd is a great frontrunner who may fight a little different if he was faced with real adversity. Not to mention that I can't see a guy who constantly has money problems passing up upwards of 50 million for a fight he truly thinks he will win.

First Bold, great point, I am not there yet for sure but you never know.
Second Bold, if they let Antonio cheat again that would be a great fight.
As far as the fight analysis, we may never know sadly. I have rooted against Floyd over and over and thought that many of the guys would give him some real adversity. Still haven't seen it. Perhaps Manny would be the one to press him hard enough but hand speed at the level he competes is often too much for anybody to deal with.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by HomerS

Betting drives the game plain and simple. Am sure many of us could attend a day at the races and have a good time without betting. Especially a nice fall sunny day at Belmont. Where you have the place to yourself basically. Can get up close much closer then most other sports. See world class athletes. But at the end of the day the focus needs to be betting, betting and betting.

Way too much time has been wasted on trying to get small time players (or non players) to come out to the track a couple of times a year. As opposed to focusing on your core audience and getting them to increase their handle- whether live, or off track.

Almost every other business but racing markets to their core audience.

Why can't you cater to both? I became a fan during the Smarty era and only bet $3,500 a year (more money actually goes into the track if you include money I've spent in going to tracks around the country in admission, meals at the track, DRFs (does the track get a cut?) etc.), but it all adds up amongst small player fans like me, no?

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Clip-Clop

First Bold, great point, I am not there yet for sure but you never know.
Second Bold, if they let Antonio cheat again that would be a great fight.
As far as the fight analysis, we may never know sadly. I have rooted against Floyd over and over and thought that many of the guys would give him some real adversity. Still haven't seen it. Perhaps Manny would be the one to press him hard enough but hand speed at the level he competes is often too much for anybody to deal with.

Mayweather's hand speed frustrates the hell out of fighters when combined with his great defensive skills. But the difference between most fighters and Pacquio is that Pacquio has great hand speed as well and will take a shot to give one. IMO his speed and quickness will lead to him connecting on a far greater % of punches than Mayweather is used to. I understand that De la Hoya is washed up but Pacquio scored far easier against him than Mayweather was able to. And I don't think that mayweathers power will bother him. Once he takes the best of what Floyd has to give, I can see pacquio coming in and be willing to trade shots. Mayweather's ego may force him to stand in and do the same which would IMO be a huge mistake. If Floyd runs and Pacquio is able to be the aggressor and land a sufficient number of punches, he would win a decision. It is really a great matchup and a disgrace that mayweather won't stop the bs and make the fight.

[Indian Charlie]

I predict that RA will continue to have workouts and be brought out of retirement for the BC.

Or to race again next year.

She really wants to keep racing.

[Clip-Clop]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

I predict that RA will continue to have workouts and be brought out of retirement for the BC.

Or to race again next year.

She really wants to keep racing.

Would be nice. She didn't run a bad step all year. Gutted those who beat her too.

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

I predict that RA will continue to have workouts and be brought out of retirement for the BC.

Or to race again next year.

She really wants to keep racing.

Actually I talked to her new life coach and she's been incredibly stressed out the past few months. She's wanting to move on to a far less stressful life of getting railed a few times a year and eating the finest hay and drinking the distillest of the illest water.