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Originally Posted by Exceller
Kentucky has the Oaks, Pimlico the Pimlico Special, and Belmont gives us some garbage stakes race. NYRA couldn't do any better than this?
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The atmosphere in NY is different from that of either Kentucky or Maryland. In KY, the Oaks/Derby is a social event, it basically defines the entire region and everyone who is anyone turns out, fan or not. That's why CD can stretch 2 days out of it.
In Maryland, Pimlico is a dump, not sure if you noticed. The only graded stakes they run are on Preakness weekend and they cant fit them all in one afternoon, so they do Friday too. Go to Pimlico on some random Thursday and enjoy $17,500 claimers as the feature. It is also somewhat of a weekend event because it is a crowning acheivement for the industry in that state.
NY is totally different. NYRA runs solid cards year round, and the Belmont is much less a social event weekend like in Maryland or Kentucky just because it's NYC. There are countless things to do, especially sports wise. On any given weekend, the Mets and Yankees could both be in town, maybe playing rivals like the Braves and Red Sox? Outside of sports, there is a boat load of crap to do as well. What else are you going to do in Kentucky anyways?
Least in Maryland, you could go over to the coast or down to Baltimore.
The Belmont will only be a true event when the Triple Crown is being contested and thats fine with me.