Breeders Cup- Saratoga

[Linny]

Originally Posted by Gander

There are lots of issues but I dont see how cold can be one of them when they recently ran one of these very close to Chicago. And is it really that much colder here than it is at Belmont in late Oct/early Nov?

The diffrence is that Saratoga is not enclosed. Much of Belmont is truly indoors. Apart from a few offices, Saratoga is wide open.

Also, they cannot run 8 or 8.5f races on dirt and field sizes are restricted on the inner turf. I don't think they can run 12f on dirt.

Also the water system is not winterized, meaning they drain the pipes before the ground freezes heavily. In late Oct. it's not uncommon for the ground to have frozen over.

And finally, since there is a good chance that the picnic area would be useless because of the weather. Without the backyard, the place holds about 10k people. There are usually about 5-7k "VIP Guests" at the BC. Where do you put them all? Woe be unto the guy who assigns the VP of Sales of a presenting sponsor with his seats in Sec. U, Row 16. Every seat facing the track would become VIP seating and the everyday fans would be left out anyhow. Tracks like Belmont and CD and SA have lots of levels and tons of premier seating. Even with railside pavillions and luxury boxes there is just not alot of room trackside. Bleachers are great but they won't be placed in front of boxes. They'd be up the track, out in the cold.

I agree that it's not about outside temperature so much as lack of winterized facility and actual indoor space. I go to AQU in winter and it's toasty inside because you are...well...inside. Woodbine and (I guess) Arlington are prepared to host fans in cooler weather, Saratoga is not. The entire front and back of the building are open to the elements.