Jim Gluckson response to BC changes
 

I received a lengthy (albeit party line) response from Jim Gluckson, the press guy for the Breeders Cup, re: "Ladies Day". Here it is:

"I’ve also seen the news reports and blogs among those who are unhappy about the switch to an all female Breeders’ Cup Friday. If you’ve had your Breeders’ Cup Saturday virtually the same way for 24 years, I can understand being upset and why are “they ruining the best card in racing.” You may be right, but we think, over the next few years, that the changes will strengthen the event in the concept of a two-day championship."

"From our perspective, we don’t want to continue observing Friday being appetizers and Saturday the main course for the event. We want to make both days Championship days with excellent racing. We don’t see Friday being viable down the road if the day is relegated to just $1 million races. Yes, you are correct, we will make it harder for those in the Mountain and Western time zones to bet the Friday races if you have to work. I know this doesn’t make it much easier for you, but five Breeders’ Cup Friday races will be run from 4-7 p.m. ET on ESPN2. The races will also be streamed live on breederscup.com."

"I don’t believe that moving the Ladies’ Classic and the Filly and Mare Turf to Friday diminishes the importance of those races. It’s still the Breeders’ Cup. But if we find that handle is reduced significantly on both days because of these changes, we will certainly look at this again. Thanks -Jim Gluckson"

The final line is especially compelling. I am not putting a dime into Friday's card and will cut my typical stake in half on BC Saturday. Hope others consider doing something similar.

So the real reason behind having it at SA 2 years in a row is because they want to have Fridays races stretch until 7 pm which is not possible in the Midwest or East coast.

If they want to be creative and actually draw interest from new potential fans they would run the BC at night. At least once.

It don't take no rocket sientist to know that.

Know your talking -- how come the ideas on DT are so much better then the ones by the people pulling the strings at the BC?

Wherever. Hollywood has lights, Lone Star has lights, other tracks have lights. It's not that hard. Most of the night college football games use temporary lights on flatbed trailers.

Hell, whenever they run the BC at Churchill, the Classic is pretty much run in darkness anyway.

Other than Hollywood which tracks are set up for night racing, than can accomidate the Cup?

My Breeder's Cup feelings, in general, have been stated over and over again, but one thing I will say is that I know Jim Gluckson pretty well, and I have only good things to say about him. Racing needs more Jim Glucksons. Whether I necessarily agree with what he says I very much respect him and give his comments the same respect. He's one of the good guys.

Good luck to them getting Prime Time television coverage.....especially on any Saturday.

Fairmount has lights.

My suggestion would be to permanently re-locate the BC to Fairmount, start the races at 3:30 in the morning on Christmas, and only show the races on HRTV.

Oh yeah, and even though Fairmount actually has lights.....don't turn any of them on.

I propose to have the start time at 6 a.m. This caters to the majority of racing fans.

oh, friday isn't lesser?! yeah, that's why the classic stayed as the last race on saturday.
why not run the turf for boys friday, the classic saturday? they could have done a better job of mixing things up then relegate the non future studs to friday.

I know you are obviously joking but since you are in Chicago I am curious if you have ever been to Fairmount?

Woodbine

I am sure he is ... I thanked him up and down for the personal response. I totally disagree him but he did take the time to respond which says alot.

Instead of trying to make Friday into a main course day instead of an appetizer day, how about doing away with the Friday BC concept all together, thus fixing every problem at one fell swoop?

It's remarkable to think something so brilliant can come from the mind of someone who thought Adriano was a lock from the 12 hole in the Fountain Of Youth.

Hell, we just gotta look at it as another wagering day.....forget all the glitz and if it's worth playing, well then play.....if not, then don't. The Breeder's Cup LTD ain't gonna change.

He conveniently forgot about that.