Ranking the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Races by entertainment value, in reverse order:
A well-meant, poorly executed idea:
The “Marathon”
In what universe is 1 3/4 miles on the dirt (or synthetic) a championship division? Who is this race for? Judging by the first two winners (Muhannak and Man of Iron) it is for undistinguished European handicap horses. Hands down, the worst of the new Breeders’ Cup races.
Developing stories:
Turf Sprint: The popularity explosion of turf sprints among America’s racing secretaries has reached epidemic status, and there is no cure in sight. I will be rooting for the filly Rose Catherine to run this field off their feet, if for no other reason than it might head off creation of the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf Sprint (G3) in 2012.
Filly & Mare Sprint: I liked it better when our best female sprinters went in the BC Sprint. But what this year’s F&M Sprint lacks in star power, it makes up for in depth. Prediction: the favorite will be 3-to-1 and this will be termed “a great betting race” by the commentators.
Dirt Mile: This division makes sense in theory, but it will steal some very good horses from the Sprint every year and might also hurt the Classic. The overlap created by the new races will be exaggerated in this era of shrinking foal crops.
Down year:
Sprint: The additions of the Filly & Mare Sprint and the Dirt Mile have really hurt this race, which also suffered from injuries to top contenders Majesticperfection and Discreetly Mine.
Juvenile Fillies: Injuries and a lack of anything truly outstanding makes this a sub-par edition of a historically great race.
Getting there:
The Juvenile Turf races: It seems the juvenile turf races top many people’s lists of new Breeders’ Cup races we didn’t need, but I disagree because:
A) I love turf racing
B) Unlike the Marathon, the juvenile turf races are catching on. Europeans trainers are supporting the races with talented horses, albeit a cut below their best. And the two-year-old turf division is developing in America.
If anything, combine the juvenile turf races into one. The filly turf race looks more compelling than the male version this year. Winter Memories is star material, and I’ve loved Kathmanblu ever since she closed for second in the PG Johnson at Saratoga (which this year featured one of the most speed biased turf courses I have ever seen)
Lives up to the Breeders’ Cup name
Ladies Classic: Kentucky Oaks winner Blind Luck takes on elders. Worth seeing in the theater. (Name should be changed back to Distaff though.)
Turf: Quietly, this race drew the top rated turf horse in the world, Workforce, plus Arc de Triomphe troubled fourth-place finisher Behkabad. Sleeper Al Khali could be the U.S.’s best hope to hit the board.
Potentially great
Filly & Mare Turf: 2009 winner Midday is better than ever, winning three Group 1’s in a row. Her competition includes French Group 1 winner Plumania and Japanese Group 1 winner Red Desire. Not to mention 2008 winner Forever Together, the improving three-year-old Harmonious, and many others.
Juvenile: For the first time since 2005, the winners of all five Grade 1 North American two-year-old races (for open company) meet in the Juvenile. Uncle Mo and Boys At Tosconova are potential stars, and I love the way Jaycito was striding at the wire in the Norfolk Stakes (G1). 2011 Triple Crown preview.
Hall of Fame
Mile: Goldikova is one of the best turf milers of all time, and this race drew a great field. Brilliant three-year-old Sydney’s Candy should be all alone on the lead, with Gio Ponti, Goldikova, Paco Boy, and Proviso revving up behind, waiting for the right time to pounce.
Goldikova has faced the difficult, ambitious career path that I wish Zenyatta had. She has won seven open company Grade 1’s to Zenyatta’s one, and has traveled the world. But I still expect the Mile will finish second in terms of drama and emotional impact to…
The Classic: The Classic stretch run is likely to be the moment of the year. And the winner is likely to be Horse of the Year.
A mare winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic twice and finishing her career a perfect 20-for-20? Unlike the 2009 result, that truly would be “un-be-leeevable.”
Showing posts with label Churchill Downs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Churchill Downs. Show all posts
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Night racing report
I was one of the 28,011 who packed into Churchill Downs for Friday's historic night racing card.
A few comments:
-Snafus aside, the increased handle and attendance are proof that night racing can work. The night had an electric feel to it even without a stakes race or marquee horse on the card.
-Racing still matters in Kentucky. Night racing gave the fans a reason to come out, and a huge, demographically diverse crowd turned out for the party.
-Yet again, Churchill seemed unconcerned with the experience of the common fan, who paid $10 entry fee to experience sauna-like conditions and wait in unbearably long lines. The betting lines were long, but you could literally miss two races waiting for food or drink.
-I have never sweated so much at a racetrack in my life. My party was set up in a box underneath the grandstand overhang, where air circulation was less than ideal. Also, the volume and treble on the speakers in the grandstand were set way too high, doing no favors for track announcer Mark Johnson's between race chatter.
Night racing has a lot of potential, and the people supported it. But of those 28,000, how many will want to come back to experience those conditions anytime soon? Churchill must find a way to make the track a more enjoyable experience for everyday fans.
It was good to hear the announcement from Bill Carstanjen, Churchill's executive vice president and chief operating officer, about decreased prices and increased staffing for the June 26 and July 2 night cards.
“More than 28,000 turned out for the debut of night racing at Churchill Downs and the evening was a great success on most every level, but our track fell short in one important area of guest service, our fans have spoken to us about their disappointment and we have listened,” Carstanjen said. “Last Friday was a special and historic night at Churchill Downs and we hope that every fan that shared the evening with us will always carry wonderful memories of the evening. But many fans were clearly unhappy with the unacceptable level of service offered in beer lines throughout the track. We share their frustration, apologize for the experience and vow it will not happen again. We’re hoping all fans who were with us for the debut of night racing under the Twin Spires will be back with us again this Friday and on Thursday, July 2 and give us a chance to make racing under the lights at Churchill Downs truly special for everyone.”
A few comments:
-Snafus aside, the increased handle and attendance are proof that night racing can work. The night had an electric feel to it even without a stakes race or marquee horse on the card.
-Racing still matters in Kentucky. Night racing gave the fans a reason to come out, and a huge, demographically diverse crowd turned out for the party.
-Yet again, Churchill seemed unconcerned with the experience of the common fan, who paid $10 entry fee to experience sauna-like conditions and wait in unbearably long lines. The betting lines were long, but you could literally miss two races waiting for food or drink.
-I have never sweated so much at a racetrack in my life. My party was set up in a box underneath the grandstand overhang, where air circulation was less than ideal. Also, the volume and treble on the speakers in the grandstand were set way too high, doing no favors for track announcer Mark Johnson's between race chatter.
Night racing has a lot of potential, and the people supported it. But of those 28,000, how many will want to come back to experience those conditions anytime soon? Churchill must find a way to make the track a more enjoyable experience for everyday fans.
It was good to hear the announcement from Bill Carstanjen, Churchill's executive vice president and chief operating officer, about decreased prices and increased staffing for the June 26 and July 2 night cards.
“More than 28,000 turned out for the debut of night racing at Churchill Downs and the evening was a great success on most every level, but our track fell short in one important area of guest service, our fans have spoken to us about their disappointment and we have listened,” Carstanjen said. “Last Friday was a special and historic night at Churchill Downs and we hope that every fan that shared the evening with us will always carry wonderful memories of the evening. But many fans were clearly unhappy with the unacceptable level of service offered in beer lines throughout the track. We share their frustration, apologize for the experience and vow it will not happen again. We’re hoping all fans who were with us for the debut of night racing under the Twin Spires will be back with us again this Friday and on Thursday, July 2 and give us a chance to make racing under the lights at Churchill Downs truly special for everyone.”
Monday, March 30, 2009
Derby trail getting interesting
I am sticking with I Want Revenge on top of my Triple Crown rankings, but it is by the slimmest of margins over Quality Road, who looked every bit like a Kentucky Derby (G1) winner when he turned back Dunkirk in Saturday's Florida Derby (G1).
If you factor in ground loss, there was not much between Quality Road and Dunkirk, although I was so impressed by the way Quality Road responded when Dunkirk got along side of him.
In a heat-of-the-battle interview with ESPN right after the race, trainer Todd Pletcher blamed the fast track and alleged a speed bias as the reason for Dunkirk's defeat. No excuse was needed. Dunkirk ran huge and simply got beat by a better horse on the day.
Pletcher should save his outrage for Churchill's qualifying rules, because it will be a travesty if Churchill's attempt to market the race in Europe (by giving a minor Polytrack stakes winner a guaranteed spot in the Derby) ends up excluding one of the top members of a very promising crop. With $150,000 in graded earnings, Dunkirk is on the bubble to make the field in Louisville.
I'm not sure what to think of Regal Ransom's defeat of his more highly regarded stablemate Desert Party in the UAE Derby (UAE-G2). Speed was extremely good at Nad al Sheba on Saturday (more so than at Gulfstream, I thought), and Regal Ransom got an excellent ride from Alan Garcia. I think both the Dubai-based colts are nice horses, but they have a difficult task ahead of them.
Very few public handicappers seem to think Win Willy's upset victory in the Rebel Stakes (G2) was anything more than a fluke. I think he is underrated. I am also looking for Imperial Council to take another step forward in this Saturday's Wood Memorial (G1) at Aqueduct.
The showdown between Pioneerof the Nile and The Pamplemousse in Saturday's Santa Anita Derby (G1) promises to be an entertaining race, although I don't particularly like either of their chances to transfer their synthetic form to a dirt track. The betting public is likely to over-emphasize the result of this race as it pertains to the Kentucky Derby.
1) I Want Revenge: Set for second cross-country trip.
2) Quality Road: Could not be more impressed with his Florida Derby.
3) Dunkirk: Ran huge in defeat.
4) Friesan Fire: Still done nothing wrong.
5) Pioneerof the Nile: Very nice horse, but surface questions.
6) Old Fashioned: Must relax in Arkansas Derby.
7) Win Willy: My current longshot pick.
8) Desert Party: Puzzling loss in UAE Derby.
9) The Pamplemousse: Has "the look of eagles."
10) Imperial Council: Should be closer to pace in Wood Memorial.
11) Chocolate Candy: Live North Cal longshot.
12) Regal Ransom: Shocked his stablemate in UAE Derby.
13) Theregoesjojo: Bad ride in Fla Derby, but 10f may be too long anyway.
14) Musket Man: Developed nicely in Tampa.
15) Giant Oak: One more shot to join party.
If you factor in ground loss, there was not much between Quality Road and Dunkirk, although I was so impressed by the way Quality Road responded when Dunkirk got along side of him.
In a heat-of-the-battle interview with ESPN right after the race, trainer Todd Pletcher blamed the fast track and alleged a speed bias as the reason for Dunkirk's defeat. No excuse was needed. Dunkirk ran huge and simply got beat by a better horse on the day.
Pletcher should save his outrage for Churchill's qualifying rules, because it will be a travesty if Churchill's attempt to market the race in Europe (by giving a minor Polytrack stakes winner a guaranteed spot in the Derby) ends up excluding one of the top members of a very promising crop. With $150,000 in graded earnings, Dunkirk is on the bubble to make the field in Louisville.
I'm not sure what to think of Regal Ransom's defeat of his more highly regarded stablemate Desert Party in the UAE Derby (UAE-G2). Speed was extremely good at Nad al Sheba on Saturday (more so than at Gulfstream, I thought), and Regal Ransom got an excellent ride from Alan Garcia. I think both the Dubai-based colts are nice horses, but they have a difficult task ahead of them.
Very few public handicappers seem to think Win Willy's upset victory in the Rebel Stakes (G2) was anything more than a fluke. I think he is underrated. I am also looking for Imperial Council to take another step forward in this Saturday's Wood Memorial (G1) at Aqueduct.
The showdown between Pioneerof the Nile and The Pamplemousse in Saturday's Santa Anita Derby (G1) promises to be an entertaining race, although I don't particularly like either of their chances to transfer their synthetic form to a dirt track. The betting public is likely to over-emphasize the result of this race as it pertains to the Kentucky Derby.
1) I Want Revenge: Set for second cross-country trip.
2) Quality Road: Could not be more impressed with his Florida Derby.
3) Dunkirk: Ran huge in defeat.
4) Friesan Fire: Still done nothing wrong.
5) Pioneerof the Nile: Very nice horse, but surface questions.
6) Old Fashioned: Must relax in Arkansas Derby.
7) Win Willy: My current longshot pick.
8) Desert Party: Puzzling loss in UAE Derby.
9) The Pamplemousse: Has "the look of eagles."
10) Imperial Council: Should be closer to pace in Wood Memorial.
11) Chocolate Candy: Live North Cal longshot.
12) Regal Ransom: Shocked his stablemate in UAE Derby.
13) Theregoesjojo: Bad ride in Fla Derby, but 10f may be too long anyway.
14) Musket Man: Developed nicely in Tampa.
15) Giant Oak: One more shot to join party.
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