Triple Crown is Supposed to Be Hard

By now we’ve all heard Steve Coburn’s ranting about the Belmont and the Triple Crown.  I’m not going to weigh in if he was right or wrong in reacting the way he did.  This is an emotional game and when you’re that vested in a horse you tend to lose focus and judgment.  Besides, there are a myriad of responses to his ranting already.

My beef comes with all those that are agreeing with him about the “cheaters” and “cowards” that allegedly wait until the Belmont just to try and upset the apple cart; that only those that start in all three races should be able to run in all three races; that if we’re ever going to see a Triple Crown again something has to change.

I guess my first question is a simple one: why?

This is supposed to be hard.  To quote Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own, “It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The "hard" is what makes it great.”

Is the goal to just have another Triple Crown winner?  At all costs?  At cheapening the accomplishment?  If you run each race the first Saturday of May, June and July, respectively, doesn’t the Crown lose its luster?

How does it not?

Three races in five weeks, two of which take these 3-year olds further than they ever have gone before – you win those and you’re not merely good; nor are you great; you are legend.  And that’s what a Triple Crown winner should be: legendary.

There is also a lot of hang-wringing about all the “new shooters” in the Belmont that, like I mentioned, are supposedly only in the race to upset the apple cart.  As an owner I can tell you this right now: if I had a graded stakes quality animal that could run all day but either wasn’t ready, or didn’t qualify, for the Derby, I would take my shot at the Belmont.  Not because I wouldn’t want to see the Triple Crown won but because I want MY horse to win a Classic. 

(Gregg Doyal of CBS Sports goes into great depth here on the new shooter issue: http://mweb.cbssports.com/general/writer/gregg-doyel/24583468/california-chrome-owner-coburns-coward-rant-wrong-record-shows-it)

Winning the Belmont comes once in a horse’s life.  A mile and a half is a unique distance in American racing these days and if you can enhance the value of your horse and perhaps take your only chance to win a Classic, don’t you take it?  I tell you right now, I would.

Do you pass on the Belmont if you feel you have a real chance to win it to be a good sport?  No.   To me that is like a baseball team intentionally swinging and missing the last couple of innings of a perfect game just because it’s so rare that you just have to let it happen.  No, you don’t.  The competition; the ability to beat all comers – that’s what makes a legend.

Just because we may have bred ourselves out of being able to produce a Triple Crown winner doesn’t mean that we have to “dumb down” the series to make it attainable.  It means we need to get better.

Don’t change the series, change how you breed for it or train your horse for it.  It’s supposed to be hard.  The hard is what makes it great.

One Last Try Before the Breeders' Cup

As with the last two Classics, I was asked to participate as an "expert" on the Hello Race Fans race education site and provide my picks for the graded stakes on the Belmont card.  If you haven't visited Hello Race Fans, I suggest you take a look.  There is a lot of information for beginners there but some great information for seasoned vets as well.  It's finally a place you can send your friends when they ask you about racing and handicapping and you can be assured they will be getting first class information for first class sources.

Oaks/Derby weekend went okay.  I had 3 winners over the weekend which put me roughly in line with everyone else.  I had one on Oaks day, but at a shorter price than the others that had 1 and I had 2 on Derby Day, putting me 4th in the group.

Preakness weekend was a disaster.  I was 0-fer on Preakness Day, which I hate more than anything.  I'd have rather had one $2.10 winner just to have hit the board.  Now it's Belmont Day and time to get the picks up for the True North, Just a Game, Woody Stephens, Manhattan and the Belmont.  I had to go back and look at my win in the Breeders' Cup challenge just to feel good about myself again!

You can go over to the site to get my other picks (after noon on Saturday), but here is my synopsis of the Belmont.

I don't know if Revolutionary can get the distance but if he can last, he should be very tough here.  Freedom Child is getting a lot of wise guy talk but he's only won shaking loose on the lead and I don't know if he's going to be able to do that.  There is too much other early speed and you have to figure Repole/Pletcher didn't enter three because they all have a shot.  I think Midnight Taboo goes early and tries to set the stage for their filly, Unlimited Budget or, more likely, Overanalyze.

Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to be a deep closer in the Belmont, but if you can rate behind some pace you're in good shape. Because of that I think I forgive Orb's flat Preakness and look for him to revert to form. These aren't machines we're dealing with after all.  He could have had a bad day.  He had a great streak with solid wins in the Florida Derby, Fountain of Youth and the Derby.  A letdown was not out of the question and at a new racetrack, with a different surface and the #1 post...I can draw a line through the race and give him another shot in here.

My super:

Orb, Oxbow, Overanalyze, Revolutionary (I wish I could pick an "All O" super!)

Belmont, The Press, Tabby Lane and A Big Meeting

BELMONT and THE PRESS

Suffice to say that the weekend really didn’t go as anyone had planned.  It kicked off with I’ll Have Another scratching from the Belmont Stakes and that led to an odd chain of events that affected me personally.

I ended up, through a series of events and phone calls, on the local newsradio station here in the Twin Cities, WCCO, giving them a local “expert” opinion on the I’ll Have Another scratch.  That was followed by an appearance on Race Horse Radio with Paul Allen on KFAN later that evening.  We talked mainly about the Mystic Lake/Canterbury Agreement but I also threw in my ultimately misguided two cents on the new look of the Belmont Stakes. Not enough Ted exposure for you?  Well in that case if you caught KARE 11 at 10 on Sunday night, yours truly was on camera for a few moments discussing the future of MN racing.  All totaled, welcome to my 15 minutes.  Thank you Mr. Warhol!

My maiden attempt on WCCO was okay.  I was a bit too fast early, but settled into a decent rhythm.  The KFAN bit was better.  I actually felt a bit more comfortable in front of the camera to be honest, but I have to say, I truly loved the experiences and want to thank Chad Hartman from WCCO (and Kay King for referring them to me), Paul Allen from KFAN and also Jeff Maday for lining me up with Craig Norkus from KARE 11.  You can see the KARE 11 piece, featuring our trainer, Bernell Rhone, here.

As I mentioned, my take on the Belmont for KFAN was indeed misguided.  I really thought that Dullahan was the second best horse in that race behind I’ll Have Another and I was, obviously, mistaken.  Thankfully I wasn’t alone in that regard and, while misery loves company, the Belmont wasn’t a washout.  It was, in fact, a verycompelling race and day where, for the third Classic in a row, Mike Smith was aboard a front runner that couldn’t hold on until the wire.  I know some have criticized Smith for allowing Union Rags through on the rail, but tired horses drift and I can do nothing but commend Smith – for all three of his rides.

TABBY LANE

On Sunday, Tabby Lane stepped up in class and simply didn’t respond.  She may have been a bit too far off of slow fractions for the seven furlong race (:24; :48) but jockey Dean Butler, though a bit penned in through the turn, asked her when she had some room and she simply didn’t respond.  She was seventh, beaten only 3, but no one likes to finish seventh.  The truth could very well be that she was outclassed in that group. 

We’ll regroup and see what’s next with the new condition book.  If she’s feeling good, there is a $10,000 claiming event going a mile and sixteenth over the turf later in the month, but it’s too early to tell at this point.  What is clear is that her wheelhouse is right around that distance, surface and class level.  A six year old mare is going to be what she’s going to be at this point, so we’ll keep her around there and see what it brings us.

MYSTIC LAKE/CANTERBURY PARK

Tomorrow is the special meeting of the Minnesota Racing Commission to approve (or not) the agreement between Mystic Lake and Canterbury Park.  It appears that the folks at Running Aces Harness Park are going to try and get the deal squashed.  I’m not sure why, to be honest.  I’ve already stated my reasons why this is a good deal for Minnesota Thoroughbred racing in a previous post, so I won’t restate here, but some of the commentary I heard on the local PBS show Almanac from a Running Aces spokesperson, probably illustrates why they can’t get out of their own way. 

I feel for the harness horsemen, I really do.  They threw in with the casino lot to get a permanent racing facility built that probably would not have happened otherwise.  If they only knew how quickly ownership was ready to sell them down the river for racino, they would (or at least should) be appalled.  Well, “sell down the river” may be too strong a term, but they certainly wanted the majority of any racino funds to go to track ownership and NOT horsemen – diametrically opposed to Canterbury’s stance (which eventually won out in the never voted on racino bill).  Ultimately they are free to cut their own deal with the Band that would affect them most, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe but if I were the horsemen, I wouldn’t hold my breath.  None of the Canterbury funds are going to track management so I can’t imagine that the Mille Lacs Band would be inclined to do so with Running Aces.  Besides, apparently the feeling there is that a deal like that may be illegal because if you make a deal like that with an Indian Nation you become a subsidiary of that Nation (according to the Running Aces spokesman).  That kind of sour grapes, selfish thinking and twisted logic is what is going to doom the harness horsemen in the state.  They deserve better.

It could prove to be an interesting meeting Wednesday at 1:30 PM at the Shakopee Fire Station. It could be standing room only so get there early and strap in…then again, there might not be any fireworks at all.

A Brief Look at the New Belmont Stakes

I literally just deleted three paragraphs of text on my plans for not betting on the Belmont Stakes tomorrow – at least not trying to beat I’ll Have Another but just placing a souvenir wager on him to take the Triple Crown.

Well THAT plan is at an end.

With I’ll Have Another’s scratch the day before his date with destiny, I had to actually open up The Form and take a look at some past performances.  Dullahan took the mantle as morning line favorite while others are looking toward the return of Union Rags or the emergence of Paynter.  I’ve gotten over most of my depression but I’m not sure that I see any value in here.  I had thought that Dullahan was second best and now I think he is clearly the best.  The distance shouldn’t be an issue, his quality is there and I can openly root for a son of the sire of my two fillies to win a Classic for Even the Score.

Paynter’s last two wins races earned monster Beyers but it’s hard for me to take a big Beyer in an allowance race seriously when a horse is prepping for the Belmont.  When facing much better in his first two starts of the season he whiffed, not being able to handle the slop at Churchill and never really in the Santa Anita Derby (albeit with some trouble).

I think that Union Rags probably has the best chance of upending Dullahan here but this is a colt that always finds trouble.  The fact that Velasquez gets on him is good, but it seems like a horse that finds trouble seems to find trouble all the time.  That said, he still finds the winner’s circle more often than not and that speaks volumes of the colt’s class.

That said, I’m sticking with Dullahan with Union Rags a troubled second.

Busy Weekend On Tap

DARK STAR MEMORIAL

If you're coming down to Canterbury to watch I'll Have Another's pursuit of immortality in the Belmont stakes, try and come out early.  Track officials have announced that at 10:00AM in the paddock they will hold a memorial for the late Dark Star.  There will be plenty of stories and reminiscnences celebrating Dark's life.  It's probably fitting that the memorial be held in the paddock - that's where all of Dark's picks could win. It's a good thing, too, as his spirit probably would have had a tough time finding the winner's circle if it were held trackside!  God bless you, Drk, I hope you know how much you're missed.

NEW OWNERS' SEMINAR

The Minnesota Thoroughbred Association is sponsoring a New Owners' Seminar immediately following the Dark Star Memorial (approx. 11 AM) on the second floor of the grandstand.  There will be several speakers talking about legal issues, accounting issues, partnerships, claiming, auctions, training, vet care for the racehorse and more.  If you've ever thought about getting into the game but weren't sure how, this is going to be a great opportunity to listen to experts, ask questions and get a feel for what it's like to be a part of the game.

TRIPLE CROWN?

I'll Have Another's pursuit of the Triple Crown will end one way or another on Saturday afternoon in Elmont, NY.  I'm not sure what I'll do about placing a bet on the Belmont Stakes yet.  I really want to see a Triple Crown and am seriously thinking about purchasing a $2 win ticket on I'll Have Another and root for history.  There may very well be value in trying to bet the colt, but I can't bring myself to do it.  Those that know me know that I would bet against my mom if the line was right (sorry mom - and yes, she does read my posts), so that ought to tell you how badly I want to see a Triple Crown!

"Ice" Destined for Glory or Footnote?

3 Ruler on Ice (Breen/Valdiva): Only non-maiden win was a first level allowance in Philly.  Seems like an awfully huge step for his first stakes win.

That was my analysis of the Belmont winner.  If I had to do it all over again, I probably would do the same.  In fact, depending upon my mood, I may not be as charitable!  Yet, he won.  Sure his ‘wet’ Tomlinson number was 395, but Santiva is a 382 and Shakleford and Mucho Macho Man are both over 400 and have better resumes.  Before we castigate Shakleford and MMM for not having the pedigrees to go long – neither does Ruler on Ice!  In fact, his distance number was second lowest in the field behind only MMM.  Didn’t have him on Saturday and wouldn’t bet on him again as I peruse the PPs.

So now the question is what happens now?  Does he step up and become the leader in an apparently weak three year old division or does he become a footnote in history?  A fluke horse that just happens to get lucky with the stars, moon and clouds aligning (and opening up) at just the right moment so he’ll always have “Classic Winner” next to his name.

As an owner, I kind of wouldn’t care if it was my lucky day.  The thrill of winning a Classic and being able to say forever that you campaigned a Classic winner would be well worth the powers that be telling me how lucky I was.  You bet your ass I was lucky – and I would have that forever.

Unfortunately, I don’t own Ruler on Ice (though I loves me our Tabby Lane) I kind of feel like I did when Sarava and Da’ Tara won their Belmonts.  Neither went on to lead the division or make history, but will always have that footnote.  Someone tell them to make room in their club, they got another member on Saturday.

It's No "Sidewalks of New York" - my Belmont Preview

First things first, while I’m happy that “New York, New York” is back rather than the train wreck of an experiment last year, I still miss “Sidewalks of New York”.  Call me old school, but I really liked that and it was a bit different than every other event in New York that has to play NY, NY.  It’s a field of 12 that will go to the post in the oldest of the Triple Crown races tomorrow, but no more than a handful have a real shot.  Here is my take:

1 Master of Hounds (O’Brien/Gomez): Better suited for this distance than just about any other contender.  A respectable 5^th in the Derby working his way from 15^th early on.  Smaller field and a larger track could be just what the doc ordered after wisely sitting out the Preakness.

2 Stay Thirsty (Pletcher/Castellano): Two Grade Is since the Gotham were miserable with no real excuses.

3 Ruler on Ice (Breen/Valdiva): Only non-maiden win was a first level allowance in Philly.  Seems like an awfully huge step for his first stakes race.

4 Santiva (Kenneally/Bridgmohan): Still looking for that first win of 2011.  Was still closing in the Derby just behind Master of Hounds.  With the right pace set up he could be there in the end.

5 Brilliant Speed (Albertrani/Rosario): The distance isn’t a real issues but I do think that the surface is.  As much as I would love to see him win for the folks at Live Oak, I don’t see it here.  Should be solid in the future on turf and synthetic.

6 Nehro (Asmussen/Nakatani):  Everyone’s favorite Belmont horse.  “Just wait until the Belmont” we heard after the Derby.  Still eligible for a NW1 allowance, the colt seems to have a real case of seconditis to me.  Close but no cigar horses always make me nervous and while the distance won’t be a real issue, there are better horses that are better suited to it than Nehro.

7 Monzon (Correas/Lezcano): Had a tough trip in the Peter Pan, but there is still nothing in his past that suggest he can step up into Graded Stakes company.  The three times he has tried he’s been soundly defeated.

8 Prime Cut (Howard/Prado): Nice finishes in the Lexington and the Peter Pan earned him entry in here.  I think that the distance may end up being problematical for him, however.

9 Animal Kingdom (Motion/Velazquez): Derby winner and Preakness runner up has the pedigree to go the distance and may be the most talented horse in the race.  Not a great deal of speed to run at, but besides Shakleford, I can imagine that some of the destined-to-be-also-rans are going to contest that early lead.  A mile and a half is a long way and of the horses in here that should be able to get the distance, AK is the most accomplished.  While his long term future is apparently on the turf, his short term future is winning the Belmont.

10 Mucho Macho Man (Ritvo/Dominguez): I know his connections are a great story and I keep hearing how the distance isn’t going to be an issue, but when I see a 188 Tomlinson for this distance, I think that’s a pretty solid indication that the distance IS going to be an issue. After a very disappointing effort in the Preakness, the horse gets Dominguez and while I hate to count such a hard trier out, I don’t see him there at the end.

11 Isn’t He Perfect (Shivmangal/Maragh): Ah, no…he’s not.  The 30-1 in the Morning Line may be generous.

12 Shakleford (Romans/Castanon): Preakness winner is peaking at the right time.  Obviously he’ll want the lead and with not a ton of early speed, he may just get it – but it won’t be without a price. Out in the 12^th position he may need to get used early to get to the top, especially if one of the 30-1s decides to try and steal it from the inside.  The distance is going to be an issue – I know he galloped out well in the Preakness, but he certainly didn’t in the Derby.  I think he’s going to take a lot of dough and that should help the exotic payouts.

1.       Animal Kingdom

2.       Master of Hounds

3.       Nehro

4.       Santiva

Diplo's 2nd and Belmont Thoughts

If only those two were being used in the same title because they shared more than the same Saturday in June...

Diplo on the Hollywood Turf

Diplo ran a nice second in his $40,000 claiming race over the Hollywood Park turf course. He navigated the mile and sixteenth nicely with Martin Pedroza aboard and battled down the lane to earn the place. The winner got loose on the lead and, as happens when lone speed becomes controlling speed, was able to stay within himself to pick up the first place check. By all reports Diplo came back from the race feisty and full of himself. As it turns out, our boy is a turf horse after all. Del Mar anyone?

Belmont Stakes

Drosselmeyer won the Belmont Stakes in fine fashion. I had said yesterday that his breeding should be able to get him the distance but that maybe he wasn't classy enough to beat this field. He proved me wrong and turned the tables on Fly Down after the six length pasting in the Dwyer. I didn't think that he got into six lengths worth of trouble in that race, but apparently he did with the slow start costing him more than I thought. Mike Smith gave him a nice ride and had the mile and a half timed perfectly in his head.

The "Dudes" ran better than I thought they would. I especially thought the ride by Dominguez on First Dude was a pretty good one. I really expected the colt to fade out of it long before he did and he hung on for a very clear third. Most of the commentary focusing on how the Preakness runner up was being ignored was unjustified. If anything a horse that fades at a mile and three-sixteenths can't really be considered a threat at a mile and a half but Dominguez nursed him along better than I would have thought possible.

It's official, the new anthem of the Belmont Stakes was a dud. As you know, in theory I thought this was a bad idea on Thursday when it was announced (there's a lot of commentary around the web on this now, but as far as I can tell, my bitching about it was first - if I can't pick a winner, I need to brag about correctly prognosticating something!) and in practice it met my expectations. Even ABC must have thought so as it cut away from the horror before it was over to get to commercial. Bless them. It looked as if NYRA was trying too hard to remain relevant when it really doesn't have to - well, at least for the Bemont Stakes.

No Triple Crown possibility and the threat of rain kept many away reducing the Belmont attendance to just a shade over 45,000 - half of what it's been during years where there is the possibility of a Triple Crown. The Kentucky Derby is America's most prestigious horse race. There is always a shot at the Triple Crown heading into the Preakness, but its placement at the tail of the Triple Crown trail places the Belmont's relative appeal to the masses in the hands of fate. A forecast of nice weather and a possible Triple Crown would move attendance past 100,000. Even a hipper new official Belmont song can't get you past not having a Triple Crown winner or even a winner of either other leg in the race. Still, 45,000 people on the day of the largest race in the biggest metropilitan area in the country is more than a little depressing if you stop and think about it too much, but that's a thought for another day.

Belmont Appears to Be Chalky

It’s Belmont Day and there is a noticeable lack of zip in Internet traffic and sparkle heading into the 142nd renewal of the final jewel. This year, more than most, the build up to the race is suffering without another chance at a Triple Crown because of the defections of Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver and Preakness champ Lookin at Lucky. There appears to be no sex appeal this year and my guess is that television ratings and on track attendance will be down sharply. Temps in the high 80’s and the threat of thunderstorms all day will do nothing to help the situation either.

There is still a million dollars on the line and the twelve contenders have stories to tell. There are going to be longshots and favorites as well as a very long stretch drive and at the end of the day a horse will cement themselves in legend and will trot away with the title of Best American Marathon Horse (3-year old division). Granted a lot of the world doesn’t see a mile and a half as much of a marathon, but here in the speed crazy United States, anything longer than a mile and sixteenth is reason for wonderment and a mile and a half is almost otherworldly.

Here is the line-up:

1. Dave in Dixie (Sadler/Borel) – I’m not sure of the thought process in entering this one. Last out in the Illinois Derby in his first trip off the synthetic he finished 16 lengths behind American Lion and now has to go even further.

2. Spangled Star (Dutrow/Gomez) – While the slow and steady gain in the mile long Withers was nice – and he’s bred for distance - this guy belongs in a NW2 Allowance, not a Triple Crown race.

3. Uptowncharlybrown (McLaughlin/Maragh) – One of the “pre-season” Classic favorites, this guy hasn’t won since a small stakes race at Tampa in mid-January. The closing move he displayed in the Lexington was more a product of a bad start rather than wanting more distance.

4. Make Music for Me (Barba/Rosario) – Disadvantaged early in the Kentucky Derby he came back from the way outside to close for fourth. Prior to the Derby he was all synthetic and turf and with the sloppy Churchill Downs underneath him, it’s hard to know what he’s going to be like in NY. The bullet Belmont work from Monday makes him a live longshot.

5. Fly Down (Zito/Velazquez) – The “other” Zito horse, his walk in the park Dwyer win had tongues wagging. The distance shouldn’t be a problem and if you throw out the LA Derby, he should be a strong contender in here.

6. Ice Box (Zito/Lezcano) – No sooner was the Derby over than the talk began – “Zito has to skip the Preakness with him and point to the Belmont”. With all the trouble he encountered and strong run down the stretch, he is the deserved ML favorite in the race. To get a price you’re going to have to try and beat him, and that won’t be easy.

7. Drosselmeyer (Mott/Smith) – Though he had his issues in the Dwyer, no way he was going to beat Fly Down. I don’t see him doing it here either. Like Spangled Star, he’s a Distorted Humor and should take to the distance but he may not be talented enough to hang with these.

8. Game On Dude (Baffert/Garcia) – No Lookin at Lucky? No problem. Let’s look in the barn and see what we can drum up to stand in for him. An easy winner of the Lone Star Derby he lost to Ice Box by over 10 lengths in the Florida Derby.

9. Stately Victor (Maker/Garcia) – Only three-year old victory was a romp in the Blue Grass over the synthetic at 40-1. Will probably have the same boxcars payoff if he wins here.

10. Stay Put (Margolis/Theriot) – Hasn’t sniffed a win at the Graded Stakes level and only non-maiden wins have been against optional claimers.

11. First Dude (Romans/Dominguez) – The second of the Belmont “Dude” entries was a solid second in the Preakness, but could be a bit shortpriced as the mile and three sixteenths appeared to be a bit much for him after setting the early fractions.

12. Interactif (Pletcher/Castellano) - A terror at two, he has not fulfilled this promise at three. Should like the distance but may not care for the dirt after playing on synthetic and turf since his uninspired 8th in the Sanford.

The race looks tremendously chalky. Ice Box should have the room and the long stretch should provide him the runway to close like a freight train again. He has improved with each race with even his second in the Derby impressive. Stablemate Fly Down should be in a better tracking position and may be in a better position to track down the early speed. The Dudes and Interactif are what pass for speed in here but probably can’t carry it the entire way so, in all likelihood, the race sets up for a Zito exacta and I like Make Music for Me to fill out the trifecta.

1. Fly Down
2. Ice Box
3. Make Music for Me

Let's Ditch "My Old Kentucky Home" and "Maryland, My Maryland", Too!

Last year I wondered aloud when Belmont Park moved from "Sidewalks of New York" to "New York, New York". Turns out it was 1997. I wasn't thrilled, but it was one classic for another. But now, at the risk of sounding like an old fogey, what the hell is going on with now a change to Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind"??

According to NYRA marketing director Neema Ghazi the song "has become a “quintessential 21st century theme song for New York City." Good God. I have to guess that this is a lame attempt to try and be relevant and hip to a new generation of horse players. We can't lower take-outs or provide free parking and admissions, but changing the signature tune of the oldest of the Triple Crown races is what's really going to capture the younger demographics imagination.

Tears well in the eyes - of old AND young - every year as the strains of "My Old Kentucky Home" take flight as the contenders move onto the racetrack and meet the roaring and singing croud. Granted, "Maryland, My Maryland" is the same tune as "O Christmas Tree", but there is a certain amount of local pride and tradition associated with the official state song. After only thirteen years of "New York, New York" - hardly long enough to become a tradition - it's being ditched in favor of a new song that, I'm willing to wager, horsemen have never heard before.

Should we never change in racing? Of course not. We need to evolve and continue to try and cultivate a new fan base - especially that younger demographic. However my thoughts are start with what's really important to this group and go from there. These folks have grown up with casino action that offers free parking, easy wagering, a better price point, no admission charges and excitement in the air. The boom of these Gen Xers in the poker arena shows that they will take the time to learn strategy and intricacies of a new game if it can be packaged right. We need to make the product more accessible, understandable and exciting while maintaining some semblance of the traditions that have built this sport. The latest and greatest video slot machines still share the casino floor with the old classic spinning reel games and video poker. The classics still earn and have appeal and it's NOT just the blue hairs.

And another thing, the Gen Xers that I know (and help raise!) love what's new and hip - but once they discover the joy in whatever endeavor they pursue, they also appreciate the history and mystique that came before them. Racing needs to recognize what's important and update that and still maintain the traditions that add to the lore and enjoyment of the game. That's the ticket to the future, not changing a Classic race's theme song which smacks more of desperation than of a well balanced plan.

A Bad Back Gets You Thinking

I've been hampered by a bad back most of this past week.  Nothing serious, just every once in a while the muscles in my lower back spasm and I walk around looking twice my age.  It's kept me a bit from blogging, some work and, sadly, from the racetrack.  It's been an absolutely gorgeous weekend here in central Minnesota.  Virtually cloudless, mid-70's, light breeze.  No place I would rather be than Canterbury - especially on the backside giving Fizzy some peppermints and letting him know I appreciated the effort in the mud last weekend.  However none of that was meant to be this weekend and now that I can at least sit up a bit to write, there are a couple of musings in my head about local and national racing that I can get out of there now.

What in the world is it with the arcane regulation that if you live in Minnesota you can't bet on Canterbury or Running Aces on an ADW outlet?  I live about 45-minutes from Canterbury and get there once or twice a week to visit Fiz in the morning and maybe the races one afternoon.  I certainly can't get there for every evening, but I'd probably wager on a race or two if I had the capability.  Isn't a small piece of some handle better than zero piece of no handle?  I wouldn't come to the track any less, I just might wager a bit more.

How in the world do we keep the casual fan's interest over the summer?  I expounded on this a bit earlier in the week in a prescripted haze, but I think that this is a real issue.  Some of the best racing in the world takes place in July and August.  Saratoga and Del Mar are legendary.  Monmouth is a great setting for racing and they race all summer long.  What can we do to get the fans that tuned in to the Triple Crown races to tune in to the summer graded stakes?  In July and August only the Virginia Derby is scheduled to be shown on non-racing (HRTV or TVG) television.  Really?  No Travers, no Whitney, no Del Mar Oaks, no Molly Pitcher.  This are great races that may end up with some solid story lines featuring the horses that campaigned over the last six weeks.  What a great opportunity for ESPN to showcase some of these horses before they televise the Breeder's Cup.  September and October are equally as devoid of racing on television.  The Pacific Classic, the Louisiana Super Derby, The Ruffian, the Woodbine Mile - all races that can have an impact on what will happen in November will pass the public by.  What about October 3rd at Belmont?  No less than than five Grade I stakes races will be run: The Jockey Club Gold Cup, The Beldame, Flower Bowl, Joe Hirsch Turf Classic and the Vosburgh.  Only already committed fans will see who will punch the last tickets to Santa Anita on that day on TVG/HRTV.  I personally think that ESPN is doing itself a disservice by not showcasing the major races on the road to the Breeder's Cup.  Racing has already proven it can get decent ratings, now help it build a following - you can only earn more advertising revenue!

Many other TBA Blogs have trumpeted the solid TV numbers for the Triple Crown.  Let's take a look at what was on TV in the months preceding the Run for the Roses: the Lane's End, the Florida Derby, the Illinois, Santa Anita and Arkansas Derbies, the Toyota Blue Grass and the Lexington. Seven Derby preps on general television.  The number of graded stakes that will have a bearing on who goes to the Breeder's Cup between the Belmont Stakes and Breeder's Cup Day?  One.  The Virginia Derby on CBS.  Could there possibly be a correlation between airing the prep races and folks tuning in for the main events?  Try it for the Breeder's Cup, ESPN and see - do you really HAVE to show the 2007 World Series of Poker again?

Boy that felt good to let go...