And to pick up from where Zenyatta is leaving off...
 

I mean fan and media-wise, we have

http://drf.com/blogs/uncle-mo-gentleman-juvenile

I really like this horse, but I dread the retardation that will follow if he wins his next start at the BC.

Might be a bit early for this type of attention, horse sure looks awesome though. That said I am glad they are doing this type of thing, maybe one of the posters will go and bet on Breeders Cup day now, maybe even on both Mo and Z. :rolleyes:

More the merrier.

Unfortunately it looks like that is the direction we are heading in as a sport. Instead of bringing in gambling money, we're going to Disney movie and pretty horsey people to death. YAY!

That is all well and good, but can he dance? Until then, Zenyawner remains the greatest.

Apparently you don't lurk on other forums.

"Will follow"? No Luv, it's already started.

I like when Tom Durkin exclaimed that Uncle Mo was "the real deal" because he had put away I'm Steppin Up.

Unless Churchill somehow ends up playing like the sloppy Monmouth track of 2007, I'm banking on a Cuvee-type effort from this one.

In fact, it will probably be Zenyatta picking up where Uncle Mo left off, following suit as the other odds-on flop on BC Day.

Respectfully, some PHP and recovering PHP do become playahs to some extent.

There's room for both (isn't there?) and the newer people bring much-needed enthusiasm to the game.

Get 'em hooked and the money will follow.

If any enthusiasm is lacking its because top quality racing is lacking (hence we had a maiden winner go off at 1-5 in the Champagne--and the Hopeful--and the Saratoga Special---running against....other maiden winners).

We don't need more fans right now, we need more horses on the f'n track.

Yeah, I probably should have added more to my post. There is room for both and an industry begging for fans can't really choose them.

But, I think a majority of the PHP aren't players. The people Secretariat, the pre race nonsense before big days on TV and this blog piece by Barbara Livingston (who is a fantastic photographer) caters to are those not betting. Again, that's fine, but IMO the transition from PHP to player is pretty rare.

:tro:

The only thing I dread about it is that if a horse breaks down in one of the races, they might go 'egads! The horror! I'm ne'er watching this cruel cruel sport again! My heart can't take it. I've got the vapors!' I think it's important to feed tiny doses off reality when possible. Talk about how horses like Real Quiet can be in a pasture and just fall down and hurt themselves really badly so it's not that racing is terrible and a sport that killed their pretty horsie. Then maybe explain that the whip the jockeys use is fine when used properly. Gotta nurse the PHP enthusiasm along. I'm sure there's many people who haven't watched since Ruffian broke down. I get that it was traumatic, but there are truly some special moments and horses they've missed. Think about it, those folks wouldn't have seen Seattle Slew, Affirmed/Alydar, or The Bid.

Not to sound lie a little kiss *ss here but yeah I do agree with all of you.

One thing though... sure it's rare (transition from PHP to player) BUT BUT BUT is DOES happen and we need to keep that going.

I still can't define why I became a fan but i know exactly when i did and I'm telling you (you in general not you, Hossy) this movie will generate some small amount of interest that could, in turn, benefit our sport.

Tracks can do all the family fun days, dollar beers and concerts they want.

The few places like Woodbine where they have things like shows that put the emphasis on capping... great fu*king idea that is NOT catching on.

Movies are a huge part of our cultural landscape.

I'm not a complete idiot. I'm not saying tons of people will want to go to the track.

Some will though.

A few will.

Multiply that by how ever many cities and towns...

Some of you older cappers, etc., might not understand that there's still a kind stigma attached with racing (for some).

This movie might make it okay to show an interest.

I'm a single mom who has never had an interest in sports.

After Seabiscuit i wanted to go to the track.

No one would go with me. Think of like a derelict wearing a piss stained trench coat and carrying a yellowing copy of the form who reeks of cheap whisky and cheaper cologne.

This is pretty much the image my friends gave me of people who play the ponies.

It wasn't till Smarty Jones came along that I decided hey... I need some new friends!

I went to the track, to the Hollywood Derby (2004) and that hooked me.

A lot of you grew up with family members taking you or owning horses, etc.

The people like me though? People like me are good for the sport. Fans first, wanna be cappers second... we DO put :$: into the game.

I'm telling you this movie, no matter how dumb or schmaltzy (sp) or whatever it is could conceivably reach out to people like me.

For those of you rolling your eyes? Tell me. What's your suggestion?

...and to talk about the generosity of people in the sport... donations for retired race horses, places like Old Friends, explain that sometimes euthanization is the kindest act for the horse in question (you know what i mean) etc.

Balance it out. Like so many things in life, there's a balance. You just need to make people aware of that.

I think Z is far more likely to lose than Mo.

Mo is clearly a New York dirt specialist. He would get drowned on synthetics

Embrace the bettors we have now. Treat them right and stop trying to phuck them over every chance they can get.

Stop making the sport something it isn't. It isn't a disney production. It's a tough, hard sport. People and horses literally lay their lives on the line everyday to participate in it. But it can also be a beautiful sport. Whether it's Tiznow re-rallying to win the Classic for America, Da Hoss caming back on to win his second BC Mile, Holy Bull laying it all out in the Travers or the brilliance of Goldikova. There are lots to draw from and these are the kinds of things that I think we should focus on. Not how cute a horse is, or how good they may dance.

It's been said before, by people a lot smarter than I. But, educate the newcomers so they don't think they are just throwing their money away. Show them that while it's a hard game, it isn't impossible and show them how and why.

Nice post, Hossy. :tro:

Holyshit man.

Is CD putting synthetic in for the BC???

I wouldn't be surprised!

I knew someone was following me. :mad:

:D

Sorry. You were mumbling to yourself and I just wanted to know what you were saying. :wf :p

Exactly. People need to know what Bobby Frankel did for Old Friends in his will. It causes me pain when something bad happens and veteran horsemen and women just frown and say 'it's a dangerous sport' or 'this kind of thing happens sometimes' and that you just have to move on. It sounds heartless. There's a gentler way to explain it.

People who can't actually have a horse can always donate feed to ReRun. Maybe a blanket. Send money for laminitis research or to Alex's Lemonade Stand. There's a lot they can do to participate. We need to encourage it. It's important to talk about the folks in this sport who take action themselves.