The Breeders Cup today: A disaster

Roma · Postby **Roma** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 1:49 pm

Breeders Cup History :
What happens with Mr. Brooks in Breeders Cup Sprint , 1992 ???

Thank !

BladeRunner · Postby **BladeRunner** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 2:08 pm

I was lucky enough to attend the BC yesterday and besides the fact that I left with more money than I went there with, I had a great time. It seemed to me that most people in attendance had a positive experience in spite of the rain. Monmouth did a great job with the betting windows. I was never in jeopardy of getting shut out and I didn't see anybody in my area with that problem. So, overall, Monmouth should be congratulated for putting on a fine show with some great races.

As for ESPN, they did little or no marketing for this event. This falls squarely on the NTRA who is not doing enough to make sure the word is getting out about our sport. ESPN also has its own magazine, named, oddly, ESPN The Magazine, and there was nothing in any of the issues leading up to the BC. No ads, no articles, nothing. Wimbledon had an 8-page ad spread prior to its event and NASCAR had an 11-page ad spread prior to a recent event. How many pages did the NTRA take out to promote the BC? Zero! Nada! Zip! That is one of our major problems, the NTRA does nothing to promote horse racing and when it thinks it does, the ads are dry, humorless and quite forgettable. Its time for some changes.

Tucumcari · Postby **Tucumcari** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 4:23 pm

Bite me, Sweet Pea :wink:

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 5:35 pm

$225!?! Wow. I thought $100 was a lot last year at Churchill.

spex4me · Postby **spex4me** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 6:04 pm

Should have broadcast it on a national network. Helllllooooo how are we gonna mainstream racing if it's being shuttled off to cable for a MAJOR day of racing. Horseracing is not going to experience serious growth on 3 to 5 broadcast races a year, it's just not.

hpkingjr · Postby **hpkingjr** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 6:27 pm

Actually I saw tickets with a $250.00 face and those were in the grandstand. I'm guessing some were more expensive plus a charge of $50.00 for VIP parking.

On the other hand those who stayed dry had an exciting day of racing. The vendors were pleasant, they imported clerks from all over and most knew their profession. It was a tough handicapping day but when you cashed a ticket it was generally a big one.

The weather was brutal but no one could control it. Monmouth put their money up and took a tough two days. I hate to say it but I'm looking forward to Oak Tree and then Sam Houston.

Tucumcari · Postby **Tucumcari** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 6:40 pm

Roma wrote:Breeders Cup History :
What happens with Mr. Brooks in Breeders Cup Sprint , 1992 ???

Thank !

massive pulmonary hemorage or a heart attack, I believe... I am sure that wasn't the tracks fault or the fault of the coverage

Rokeby Forever · Postby **Rokeby Forever** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 10:17 pm

The WORST breakdown I remember on BC day was On The Line. Man, that was a nasty break - some other horse's back foot kicked his shin and snapped the thing almost in half. YUCK!

He survived the operation, but a lot like Barbaro, founder finally got him. A real shame - he was a nice horse.

parlo · Postby **parlo** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 4:06 am

If there is a 'general European opinion' on this years BC-days, that had been so disastrous to European trained horses, it is:

Not the bad weather was the problem but that tiny track, that does not suit to European horses, who are used to "galopping tracks" with long straights (3 to 4 furlongs) and wide bends.

And there is few understanding to the owners of Dylan Thomas to run such a marvellous horse under those conditions after a long and succesful season with wins in some of the most important races at the east side of the ocean.

Playwithfire · Postby **Playwithfire** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 12:22 pm

Tickets were very, very expensive this year. Not sure how the lottery system worked, but i tried to get tix and was denied. Then about a week ago i saw them selling on Ticketmaster, in the good sections as well, kinda ticket me off since i was on the east coast this past weekend. Not sure why I didn't get them ahead of time, but I'm sure others that didn't get them in the lottery just stayed away. They weren't anywhere near at capacity either. I hope they do a better job next year at Santa Anita...its much larger and has run this program before. I agree that the Saturday, sunday races is a better idea than Fri/Sat. Casual fans aren't going to take off to watch races, but may be at the track on weekends to bet it. Or just have it in a single program.

Rokeby Forever · Postby **Rokeby Forever** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 1:37 pm

Playwithfire wrote:Tickets were very, very expensive this year.

A pretty good reason to keep this as a 2 day event, huh?

rudydee · Postby **rudydee** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 2:27 pm

On Saturday at Monmouth, you were able to swap your $100 outsideseats for the $250 seats that were near the finish line Grandstand Mezzanine.
NO EXTRA CHARGE.
Anyone who says Breeders Cup brought $50 million dollars to the local economy is drinking the koolaid.
The locals hunkered down and did not visit their normal haunts ( bars, restaurants, pizza parlors, stores) because of the fear those places would be packed with out of towners. They weren't.

Rokeby Forever · Postby **Rokeby Forever** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 3:31 pm

Rudy...everyone went to the nudie bars in Leonia - they're always packed!

rudydee · Postby **rudydee** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 3:46 pm

Leonia??!! LMAO!!
The Jersey Shore has it's own "nudie bars".
Cabaret Go Go Rama located in the town next to Monmouth Park hosted a Breeders Cup Party. Biancone or someone looking very much like Biancone was watching the races from here between "sets".

Rokeby Forever · Postby **Rokeby Forever** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 4:35 pm

Rudy - lap dances are only $10 in Leonia - you can get a "tag team" for $15. :wink: