- BC Expansion a Case of "More = Less"
By Steve Byk
The Breeders' Cup announcement January 8 of an expanded program featuring three new events in a second day of racing has generated an initial burst of excitement from fans. The organization's rationale for the move seems to be that if the eight races that serve as the ersatz championships for the major divisions in the game are so fabulous, more of that good thing must be a positive. But given that the current BC program is designed to unquestionably draw the best thoroughbreds in the world for one spectacular day of quality racing, the execution as announced seems hastily conceived and flawed.
"Today's announcement, along with other previously announced changes over the course of the year, provides the framework for unprecedented growth of the Breeders' Cup," said BC Board Chairman Bill Farish III. "There will be more races, more purse money and more nominator participation than at any time in the event's history, all designed to attract the best horses from around the world to compete in the Breeders' Cup World Championships." The key word in that quote is "more", and in this case, "more" is going to be "less".
The addition of a Dirt Mile, Juvenile Turf and Filly and Mare Sprint a day before the main event sounds plausible and inviting at first blush, but are actually frought with issues that indicate the BC has not thought the concept through thoroughly. Farish has been leading an aggressive campaign of changes and innovations involving the BC, and the initiatives like the "Win and You're In" program, though largely window dressing, are indicative of an organization trying hard to better market one of racing's two most important Saturday's. While that's to be applauded, this new directive raises nothing but questions and red flags.
Where does the BC expect horses of quality to come from to fill the gates of the three new races, as well as the vacancies the added heats will create in the existing program?
A Juvenile Turf is obviously a bone tossed to the Europeans given that there is no existing set of preps in the U.S. to serve as a lead up to a grass championship for 2 year olds. Besides the juveniles that come from across the pond, what kind of American horses can we expect to see line up in this event? American two year olds that are running on the grass in the summer and fall are generally horses that have shown little ability on dirt. And given the turf-like qualities of the synthetic surfaces proliferating around North America, PolyTrack maiden winners from Turfway, Keeneland and Woodbine are among the most likely participants in a Juvenile Turf event. Great... In addition, had this race existed in 2006, it may well have robbed the Juvenile Fillies of Dreaming of Anna.
The Dirt Mile is unwarranted as some kind of new crown for milers, a distance coveted by breeders but thoroughly represented during the racing season with the prestigious and storied Metropolitan and Cigar Miles. The two important New York mile races are one turn, elongated sprints that are run as highly anticipated, unique specialty events. The problem with adding an 8f main track run to the BC line up, is that nearly none of the ovals that host the World Championships can run a one turn mile. And as with the Juvy Turf, there are no appropriate preps that identify "BC Dirt Mile" candidates, or logically bring them up to the race.
And the decision to run the "inaugural" version of the race at Monmouth at 1 mile & 70 yards, a staple at the lowest levels of racing, amounts to an utter embarassment. The lowbrow claiming distance is being run at Oceanport, where they have hosted the Salvator Mile since 1948 with 10 horse fields, only because the added 70 yards facilitates 14 runners. 14? Other than possibly Discreet Cat, what important 2006 campaigner missed a BC Day opportunity created by the addition of this race?
Adding a Filly & Mare Sprint sounds good, except that it waters down the existing 6f staple which has enjoyed a magnificent history of success with female participants. BC Sprint victories by Very Subtle (1987), Safely Kept (1990) and Desert Stormer (1995) stand among some of the greatest moments in the 23 year history of the Cup. Placements by Safely Kept (1989), Meafara (1992-93), Honest Lady (2000) and Xtra Heat (2001) lend further credence to the fact that the girls don't need their own dash. And again, besides Malibu Mint and Dubai Escapade, can you name another dozen 2006 fair sex sprinters that are deserving of the starting gate in a Breeders' Cup Sprint?
As if the establishment of this additional trio of BC races didn't raise enough questions, the concept of adding a second day to the event has issues of its' own. Given that the majority of Breeders' Cups are run in Kentucky and New York at the end of October or beginning of November, poor weather for the one day has always been a concern. Cup officials say they are hoping to create more of a "festival" atmosphere as part of the run-up to Cup Day, but what kind of "festival" can be anticipated in areas of the country that provide considerable liklihood for cold, wet conditions?
The Cup has a short list of palatable vacation destinations to choose from if they seek venues attractive for multi-day visits by racegoers. Gulfstream is out unless an additional 50,000 slot machines are going to be installed there to provide seating; Lone Star is a nice once-a-decade stop; Santa Anita will have an artificial main track by the time the next Cup locale is identified as will remote Arlington. Finally, making this year's already questionable stop at summer resort Monmouth be the testing ground for the new wrinkle amounts to the height of wishful thinking.
While it's admirable for the BC to try and boost viewership, interest and revenue with the innovations, the rush to install the new events might better have been floated as a test. Are these new races instantly accorded Grade I status? What kind of supporting undercard can be thrown together at venues like Monmouth that re-open just for Cup Day? If the main objective is to boost the preceeding day's racing overall at regular Cup stops like Belmont and Churchill, why not create a series of stakes that honor human and equine Cup patriarchs (i.e. John Gaines, John Nerud, Precisionist, Miesque..) on Friday, instead of watering down the nearly perfect Saturday?
While there is little doubt that the professional and dedicated Breeders' Cup people will successfully pull off this gambit, the concept comes at a time when there is already a dearth of premium thoroughbred racing for fans to enjoy. Tinkering with the structure of the eight division Championships as they exist currently, and which already have badly undermined the quality and importance of long-established Fall Championship racing, only furthers industry-wide trends of believing more is better.
The fact is we don't need more races for more money with big fields of mediocre horses. We need more races with fields of unprecedented quality, and the dilution of the Breeders' Cup as we've come to know it is a step in the wrong direction.
Steve Byk founded Derby Trail in 2003, is co-host of "At the Races and Beyond" on SIRIUS 125, M-F, 4-7pm and a contributor to The Blood-Horse. You can write him at sbyk@nycap.rr.com