Everyone Comes out a Winner

Now that Alan has commented on his missing post I think I'll put my swami hat on and look into my crystal ball: It's obvious what's going to happen: Is the BC looking for good PR or bad PR? Good What area can they cave on to get good PR and back on track? The name of the Ladies' Classic What's everyone talking about right now? Kentucky Derby When would be a good time to focus on the BC? After the Kentucky Derby maybe at the start of W&YI. Look for the name change and hugs all around once the BC have a new sponsor or when the news is a little slow.

What I Would Do

It turns out this whole Ladies' Classic is my fault. Superfecta gave me the idea it was I who expounded on that and put in some hard details initially in June of 07 I put it toghether more succicintly in December: Ladies' Day will be the Friday BC day - F&M sprint, F&M Turf, Distaff, would anchor the racing while national and local charities are given retail space on the grounds. There would be a female Grand Marshall of the day who helps emcee the races and who gives a keynote speech to kick off the day. My idea was to bolster the Friday card, as much as I think the NTRA did it for the same reason and not to demean and context does count. So, if the NTRA is paying attention I ask them to do the following: Dear Fans of Racing, Recently, the BC has put together card changes to ensure our Friday card is as strong as Saturday. Moving the Distaff and the F&M Turf is a testament of our belief that these races will anchor as good a day of racing as their open category counterparts. It is the deep and rich history that both these races have that bolsters fan awareness and anticipation of our Friday card. The Breeders' Cup Ltd and NTRA will use this heightened participation to shine a light on the females of our sport, past and present who, with their hardwork and dedication, made our sport what it is today. It has not gone unnoticed that many of our greatest fans, the people who write about our sport, are upset with the changes; we ask for your patience and we ask that you go into Friday with an open mind and hope you come out having seen two full days of world class racing. It has not gone unnoticed that the renaming of the Distaff has also upset many. The BC ltd and the NTRA are not deaf to criticism, and because of this we are renaming the Ladies' Classic the F&M Classic. We did this with best intentions, and did not foresee the friction this would cause, for that we apologize. Our intentions have never been to upset our core fans, but to increase awareness and enjoyment for newer fans. We have been succesful in this regard because the fans of horse racing are the greatest in the world, and we hope to continue this relationship far into the future. Sincerely, Me So would you be ok with going to Friday's card if this was released? Cause I'm not a sexist, and it was my idea (except for the renaming). Am I a sexist? Am I not worth your patronage? You know what, don't answer that. Seriously, I'll delete comments.

No Offense, but You All Don't Get It

Waa Waa Waa You all are missing the forest from the trees; for a second think outside the box and at least read the last 3 paragraphs. True or False - 2 days is better than 1 for the bottom line of the sport. True - Total handle increased on 2 atrocious weather days at Monmouth Park by about 2 million dollars. (142million 2007, 140million 2006). The host site only keeps the handle on the non-BC races, all other handle goes first to the BC. A 2 day format sweetens the pot for would-be hosts (not enough for CD, but I digress) by increasing the number of non BC races on BC cards. True or False - They can run Saturday and Sunday if they wanted. False - This is much more the responsibility of ESPN and there is NO WAY, really NO WAY that ESPN is talking about anything but football on Sunday. Seriously, this argument is a non-starter. True or False - The Friday card was seen as something as a warm-up, "BC lite" True - This doesn't make the BC happy. Any corporation doesn't want the perception out there that something they put together is "lite." It's a signal to the buyer that it's not necessary. True or False - The BC had to firm up their Friday card due to the above T/F statement. True - Friday and Saturday must be percieved as both important days of racing. Why didn't they go with an all turf Friday? This is the best argument one could make, or an all juvie card. The reason is counterintuitive to all those who are saying that this is sexist and marginal, you ready... An all F&M card is more exciting. It's "theme" is a lot stronger than all turf or all juvie. The theme of this race will drum up a lot more press and airtime than a Friday card dominated by 2 year olds no one has heard of, or Europeans who might suffer the same problem. Why is the BC watering down a great product? This is the heart of the matter. I believe they are watering it down now to hopefully firm it up in the future. Everyone points to the fact that there isn't a season of graded stakes for races like the Dirt Marathon, or Turf Sprint, or take your pick. Let's make this clear, the BC doesn't care about graded stakes, and that should catch your attention. Win and You're In proved this last year. W&YI already equates Gr I's and Gr III's and no one batted an eye (except me). The BC creates championship races that for the first couple of years are probably the same quality of overnight stakes, however, 5 years from now, maybe less, racing secretaries will want their race on W&YI and might schedule a dirt marathon etc with nice purse. It's a lot easier to get a W&YI race than the 5 year wait for graded status I'm sure. As more of them do this the quality will hopefully improve. Am I sold on this? Not entirely, and I'd much rather see standings lead to gate assignments than an automatic birth, but again I digress. Why call it the Ladies' Classic? You got me, this was their mistake, and I hope they change it to the F&M Classic or change it back to the Distaff. You want to be mad at something? Be mad at the AGSC for doing absolutely nothing. Be mad at the BC for hijaking the graded stakes process. And, don't forget I said no offense.

Deep Breath Everyone

I'm flummoxed by the reaction to the new Ladies' Classic. The attitudes mostly vary between tempered disgust and outright hatred; blog posts and comments alike. Sources: here here here here Our sport never changes, and this is a bad thing. When our sport changes everyone says it's a bad thing. And we all wonder why people in charge don't listen to anything the small guy has to say. Arguments the "haters" (that should be read in a joking tone) have made = They don't like the name because it's derogatory/sexist. - I would agree, had this been the only change, but the whole day is being renamed Ladies' Day much akin to the VERY prestigious Ascot meeting. So, I'm thinking someone in marketing got carried away with the term and pretty much wanted to label everything they could, and forgot that things like the Lady (insert men's mascot here) isn't looked upon as being kosher anymore. Does that excuse make it ok? No, but context is context. Will they fix it? My guess is that they will. I'm not hopeful for this year (can't look like you made a mistake when you're in business), but down the line it will be revisited. They don't like the split of the two days either because the Distaff is a big race they'll miss or because Saturday is for big races. - The BC set out to have 2 days of championship racing, not one kinda-sorta-like a championship day and then the real deal on Saturday. I've noted here before that the BC and the NTRA is going after the powers of TOBA and the AGSC and re-branding all the racing that occurs. The only way to do this is to create friction, having races without graded preps will do that, and will be their Gulf of Tonkin to "grade" their own races. It's a little cart before the horse, but it's going to happen. Just to explain it a little more the NTRA wants a more diversified top tier racing product which they can't get because TOBA and the AGSC won't grade some of these races that don't fit the "mold," so the NTRA has created championships without them and will further move away from the importance of Graded Stakes with their concept Win and You're In. If you want to be mad at something, be mad at this. Both days now have championship racing and will turn into a 3 day weekend vacation for most of us horse lovers, like you aren't already taking off Superbowl Monday (at least on this vacation day something happens!). This is a step in the right direction, this is not change for change sake as the change serves a purpose: The % of women that are fans of racing is much higher than many other sports (I think only NASCAR has more, citation needed) and having a Ladies' Day is a great way for the business to say, "thanks," and shine a light on that great aspect of our sport, and maybe get new fans. Are rocket scientists in charge over at the NTRA and BC? No. So, what can you expect? You can expect this progress to be 2 steps forward and 1 step back, many of you seem to be focusing on the 1 step back, I focus on the 2 steps forward. Again, you want to be mad at something; get angry at the way TOBA/AGSC aren't cooperating w/ BC and how that will cause the greatest upheaval in our sport (FOR THE WORSE).

LADIES DAY

Breeders' Cup to Card Ladies Day bloodhorse.com Holy Crap, HUZZAH, The TBA has wielded its mighty power!!!!! My post 6 months ago Superfecta wrote about it as well. OVER A YEAR AGO!!!

Commissioner

I figure if some people can turn their position of power into a puppet storage closet (relax you repubs I'm thinking Putin), well than I might as well run for a phony office. Add in, I'm totally bored with everything that's going on in every aspect of the world and I can't think of a better time to be a blow hard about what's wrong with everything. If elected to Commissioner of Horse Racing: Oh, wait first I should link to how I think this power could really come to be. There you go. Ok, if elected Commissioner of Horse Racing this is what I'd do: Sensible racing season - plotting out the major races, Gr I's, and working backwards to grade the preps accordingly. There would be a nice balance between all races and categories. Yes, the amount of 3yo black type will be cut. Work with racing secretaries to make sure not too many same-type races overlap, I'm thinking of you early August and your slew of 3yo derbys. Create Saturdays modeled after the BC with a Graded Stake in each category being run somewhere in the country. Two hour show packaged for TV. That would help get people motivated to cooperate on get on TV. More precise graded stakes - Gr I, II, III, also carry points to create standings. Won't compete with the Eclipse as the Eclipse is more of an MVP award. Purse floors and caps put on Graded Stakes - Purses just aren't the motivation they once were, and no one wants to be the first mover in area like this (think the NHL and salaries a few years back). I would have caps and floors to allow a little discretion and give 1 or 2 exemptions to every track. This would give a lot back to everyone's bottom line and help the secretaries create some new stakes for turf sprints and marathon dirt races or whatevever other crazy crap the BC comes up with. If you think a $200,000 diff in some stakes are keeping these horses running in the first place, I admit you are entitled to your opinion, but unfortunately your opinion is wrong. Ladies' Day will be the Friday BC day - F&M sprint, F&M Turf, Distaff, would anchor the racing while national and local charities are given retail space on the grounds. There would be a female Grand Marshall of the day who helps emcee the races and who gives a keynote speech to kick off the day. New Media and Revenue - Reality show based on the 3 week run up between the Preakness and Belmont focusing on top 3 finishers of each race. (Owners get money for committing to show). Help advertisers connect with our owners, sponsorship on saddle cloths (not silks) for an entire stable no matter where they run. The TV show I talked about early would start in July with standings already in place. Why July? There is absolutely nothing going on in sports in July. Standard Drug Rules - No drugs allowed for horses or people. Anything weird like, I don't know, venom in your barn and you are banned and allowed to transfer horses to assistants for the time of the investigation. If it turns out you can't prove that it wasn't yours you are banned and horses have to be dispersed. Lifetime bans would be commonplace and forfeiture of winnings over a given time period would be levied. Whole purses would be redistributed, that should get the owner's attention. Allow jocks to unionize and help them get group insurance - A LOT easier said than done, but I'd work on it. Maybe have them be employees of the racing congress that gave me the power in the first place. New Tote System - No new bets, but bets will have a new look. Want to know what your pick-4 will pay before the 1st leg, no problem, it's only math for crissake not nuclear fission which is what these a-holes make it out to seem. Odds won't change after the bell rings. I will work with Congress to allow for market type betting platforms where one can take and lay odds. Rebates for big bettors, but I'd help get even bigger rebates for whales who show up on-site. No more slots - I'm open to table games, and I like sports betting (C'mon Delaware, why did Oregon give up, way to go NJ you blew it 30 years ago), but one armed bandit pullers and horse players shouldn't be kept within the same four walls. 6 week hiatus - Listen everyone knows if you're not working you're not making money, but if it's worsening your product then the affect it has is negative not positive. After the Nov 15th see you January 1st. Allows for conferences, secretary meetings, real accounting, and gives everyone a breather. There that's all I can think of for now, but I'm sure people have more ideas. Go ahead and run for phony-commissioner, leave your platform in the comments.

Open Letter to Anyone with a Pulse at the NTRA

There are 4 and a half months to the Breeder's Cup and it's possible more eyes are trained on this sport than anytime recently after the Triple Crown has ended. Thank Rags to Riches for that. This puts you in a spot you're not accustomed to. Let me paint the picture a little clearer w/ help from a favorite movie of mine: "...you got these claws and you're staring at these claws and your thinking to yourself, and with these claws you're thinking, "How am I supposed to kill this bunny, how am I supposed to kill this bunny?" Everyone is looking at the NTRA to not "F" this up because right now the iron is hot. Everyone wants more of Rags to Riches. Bloodhorse has a Dan Liebman editorial about this importance, but is a little light on the answers other than a "Battle of the Sexes" Railbird has a phenomenal article about Women in this industry, and this angle will be covered further by main stream media if R2R continues forward. So, the NTRA, you, need to strike a balance. Let's not turn this into a side show, R2R is a phenomenal horse first, who happens to be a filly second. R2R probably has some very important women in her life and maybe a light should be shone on them. The answer: Take the fact that the Friday of the BC has the Juvenile Turf where fillies will be against colts, and the F&M sprint, and add in Europe's idea of Ladies Day, top it off with some good 'ol American fund raising and you'll have yourself a media coup. It's not my idea, Superfecta beat me to it long ago... 4) Create something akin to Ladies' Day at Ascot -- don't leave the pomp up to d-list celebrities at the Derby. If the Breeders' Cup is going to continue to add races, why not make it an occasion? I would gladly take a Friday off work and would even invest in a hat for that purpose. What I envision: Launch of a children's book about Rags to Riches, get someone writing it now, the fact that she had an older brother win the race first makes the book that much better from a kiddie perspective. (again ripped this idea from Superfecta) NTRA charities donating to a local hospital for Breast Cancer research and maybe the jockeys wear pink pants for one race. (Not to harp on one charity, the Pink ribbon, there is also the Red Dress, just work w/ someone please) Get Julie Krone out to her old stomping grounds, Monmouth Park, as Marshall of the day's activities. Give some women's charities, local and national, some space on grounds. I know there's not a lot to go around, but it'll be worth it. TV-wise start getting the historys of some of the current women in the sport and focus attention on them during the Friday broadcast. The races themselves will be great, but you won't have to have 2 hours of run up (ala the Belmont) for these races. I'm sure some women will be involved with the horses running that day anyways. Anyone else? Feel free to add, let's keep talking about this, and maybe it will happen. Don't forget you can jump on the Rags to Riches bandwagon and help support my 2 daughters going to college (at some point) by purchasing the Rags to Riches t-shirt.

News and Notes

There is some other racing going on this weekend and I’m sure many other bloggers will do a great job covering it, but maybe you have a second to check some lesser heard about stories. Good people get good horses, and that’s proven as Smokey Stover fresh off his Sunshine Millions Sprint returns Sunday at Bay Meadows with the rider Aaron Gryder aboard. After reading that I typed in Lost in the Fog on the new finder and got this nice little article about sight handicapping that sort of comes out of the blue. Churchill and Magna are best of buddies, and what you should be looking at in the near future is an outright buy of MECA by CHDN. MI Developments CEO John Simonetti has already said keeping an eye on the MECA (they loan them A LOT of money) might not be the best thing. I read that as spin-off. Not to go all equidaily on you, but I found this article and it was a really fun read about a 60 year old groom. I can see myself retiring to the backstretch, but this guy is living it. And one idea that hasn’t left my head yet is that Friday’s Breeder’s Cup card should be Ladies Day. Seeing that the new BC F&M sprint will be on Friday why not focus on the fillies? Some of the best fillies to ever run have also stepped foot on Monmouth’s dirt: Personal Ensign, Lady’s Secret, Serena’s Song, Miss Woodford all won major stakes here. Monmouth was an early stop for Julie Krone. So, why not have some videos on the board of their winning efforts. Monmouth regularly hosts fashion shows and hand bag contest so hold those on Friday as well. There are a ton of other ideas, and they’re all good, so why not make this happen.