It takes a village of idiots

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

It all seems so, so, frivolous.

It seems to me that the only offering remotely of interest to me would be higher quality food, but if I wanted good food I'd just go to my favorite Japanese restaurant located just a few miles from there. It's one of the best restaurants in the entire country. If not that, then any number of other places.

I never found track food, or any type of catered food to be overwhelmingly compelling in the first place!

My typical day at Santa Anita back in the day was to come in with today's form and go over my handicapping again from the night before. When tomorrow's form would become available, I would bury myself in that between races.

Food? In-N-Out or maybe a cobb salad at the track.

I know I'm rambling, but I guess what I'm trying to say is that I wish they'd just stick to what works and provide a good experience for the majority of fans. This fancy ****, it just doesn't matter to people.

I believe this may be geared towards our corporate friends as opposed to real fans

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I believe this may be geared towards our corporate friends as opposed to real fans

Exactly! These types of things are pretty much social events for the clients. Whenver I get to go to a luxury suite at a sporting event, I always notice that the people are hardly even watching the game. They are mainly just socializing. It's funny because those luxury suites are so expensive and the seats are kind of going to waste since the people are hardly even watching the game. The people usually don't even stay for much more than half the game.

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I believe this may be geared towards our corporate friends as opposed to real fans

In my opinion the Breeders' Cup has ALWAYS been that way. As far as I can tell, everything about the Breeders' Cup from its inception, to the many expansions, to the back-to-back Santa Anita decision, to this idea, is about TV deals, and corporate-types, or - as Mr. Serling pointed out - about appealing to "event people."
The Breeders' Cup and real horse racing fans mix like oil and water.

[Linny]

With the pricing and seating issues over the years, the BC is clearly not geared to racing fans or bettors. Bettors are far better off at home or someplace where they can view the track feed for current info and get updates from the internet. Fans (who's primary interest is the racing, not the betting) wont get to see much unless they are very well off or very well connected. A friend of mine watched last years mudfest from a very cushy place near the finish line. She was the only person within shouting distance who actually knew anything about or cared for anything that was going on out there. Everyone else chatted about dresses and jewelry or mutual funds or how the new Mercedes handled. I was out in the bleachers with my hardcore fan friends and the girl in the clubhouse was dying to have us join her so she'd have someone to talk "horse" with. The irony is that she's a professional horsewoman and only got to sit there because her sister's employer is connected to a big BC sponsor.

Rupert is spot on. Most of the people in luxury accomodations at major sporting events from Ascot to Yankee Stadium are corporate bigwigs.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Linny

With the pricing and seating issues over the years, the BC is clearly not geared to racing fans or bettors. Bettors are far better off at home or someplace where they can view the track feed for current info and get updates from the internet. Fans (who's primary interest is the racing, not the betting) wont get to see much unless they are very well off or very well connected. A friend of mine watched last years mudfest from a very cushy place near the finish line. She was the only person within shouting distance who actually knew anything about or cared for anything that was going on out there. Everyone else chatted about dresses and jewelry or mutual funds or how the new Mercedes handled. I was out in the bleachers with my hardcore fan friends and the girl in the clubhouse was dying to have us join her so she'd have someone to talk "horse" with. The irony is that she's a professional horsewoman and only got to sit there because her sister's employer is connected to a big BC sponsor.

Rupert is spot on. Most of the people in luxury accomodations at major sporting events from Ascot to Yankee Stadium are corporate bigwigs.

I love the track and I love to people watch.. I think Breeder Cup is a great time.. not the derby but what is.... At Monmouth last year the weather was horrible and great seats outside the gate were VERY affordable for all folks.. I think racing has to earn as much as they can on the elite days like it or not it takes money to make the sport better.. The real issues are can they use the money correctly if so the fan will be well served giving up their spot on th efinish line one day so that the rest of the year things are improved..

[deltagulf]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I believe this may be geared towards our corporate friends as opposed to real fans

chuck right on its for corporate folks not your everyday race fan or horse player.

[Linny]

A who mess of structures in the infield serves only to hurt the view of those who fork over big buck for clubhouse seats. A 2 story luxury box (like those ar SAR) will block the view of the backstretch for a good many of the VIP owners, breeders and their guests who will be seated near the finish in the clubhouse.