Recurring Theme?

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by Scav

One of the most serious issues is breeding, early breeding. Fact is that when a horse like Cigar was shipped around the USA, he brought people to the track. I'll never forget that Saturday. I was 2nd in line at 8am in the morning, only a winnebago from Minnesota beat us, lined up on Euclid Ave. Scav was a bit aggressive in those days and actually opened up the gates himself, thus letting the 50 cars sitting on Euclid Avenue in a bit early.

Arlington was packed that day, impossible to move, and some people didn't leave the finish line for the whole day. Brought more people then the Million.

I agree with Scav. It was a very different sport 50 years ago, when horses ran much more frequently and in general stayed around longer. Now, as soon as a star is born it's whisked off to the breeding shed. Real stars, like Cigar, come too seldom for a fan base to be sustained.

I think if the best players left the NFL or MLB every year, people wouldn't be nearly as interested in those sports, either. How popular would golf or tennis be right now if you had to learn a whole new list of contenders every 2 years?

--Dunbar