what do you think about the new two day format for the breeders cup starting this year?

Question

i also believe that it should only be on one day which is saturday.

Answer 1

Well, the part of me that believes that the Breeder's Cup is for the PARTICIPANTS, i.e., the breeders, owners, trainers, etc., is glad that finally some of the horses whose best distances/surfaces weren't in the program can have their moment of glory.

The part of me that worries about things like TV coverage, ratings, track attendance and so forth is worried that the two-day program will dilute the ratings and attention the Breeder's Cup gets. It is so hard in America now to get mainstream media coverage of Thoroughbred racing, outside of the Triple Crown events. The mainstream press moguls just don't believe that there are enough people interested to give racing the coverage it deserves.

Also, the Breeder's Cup program, since it's in the fall, is competing with both college and pro football for coverage on the weekends. Also for audience share. How is doing two days of racing going to work, given this issue? I just don't know.

I really hate to say this, but there is also a part of me that worries that putting on more championship races at more distances on different surfaces almost trivializes the quality of the racing. One day, one race, all the best horses: that's the theory. The absolute match-up on the track of the leading candidates for championships, with everything at stake and nothing held back.

Now we have more races that give the top horses a chance to dodge each other. Okay, we want the horses to shine at whatever it is that they do best. But when it comes to making champions and legends, isn't it all about stepping out of your division and winning even when the distance isn't your best or the surface isn't your favorite?

The sprinter that manages to beat the classic stayer at 1-1/4 miles by crafty strategy and sheer speed? The distance horse who summons a burst of sheer brilliance and class and beats the fastest sprinter? The filly who outruns the colts? The turf horse whose pinned ears show that he hates being hit in the face with flying dirt, even as he comes from behind to beat the main track star? The American horse that has never raced on turf taking on the best English and European stars on their own surface, beating them even when the surface isn't to his liking.

I just don't know. I think I'll have to see how this new format plays out to decide if I like it.

Answer 2

I think the 2yo turf race will be good to bring over more European horses and may help to get more turf races in North America for the younger horses. Since it is for 2yo it won't take any starters from the International. The female sprint and the mile race may take away from the sprint race. The mares over the years have done very well in the sprint and there are not as many top quality female sprinters. The mile race may also weaken the sprint race as some of the closers and slower front runners may decide to go a mile rather than the speedier sprint. I think a 5 furlong turf sprint may have been a better choice. More European horses would come and it is usually a close and very exciting race.

Answer 3

I think the new turf race they added was mainly to attract the Europeans. This will also DETRACT from The Pattison International run at Woodbine (Toronto Canada) which up until now has attracted some of the best European turf horses. Until I actually see who shows up for these races I'm looking at it as a money grab.

Answer 4

Well, if nothing else, the 2nd day of Cup racing makes the idea of spending a weekend in Jersey more attractive.