Less of Kenny Mayne on ESPN racing this year

When Bailey retired, and was handed the new gig with ESPN's Moss and Mayne, three was a crowd. And, that was noticable quite often.

Bailey is the right man, along with Moss, to cover the sport. ESPN made a wise decision. One, that all three gentlemen, are probably comfortable with.

[brianwspencer]

WTF?

While Moss is certainly my favorite to listen to as far as actual serious horse talk goes.....I love Kenny.

Originally Posted by brianwspencer

WTF?

While Moss is certainly my favorite to listen to as far as actual serious horse talk goes.....I love Kenny.

I think Bailey has made a great addition but cmon folks the levity...
Mayne was great. They put Fat Greenberg down in the paddock eating the dogs and Mayne made fun of him... and now I cant see that again?

Sports cant be funny here and there? I thought the trio did a great job, bad move imo.

[horseofcourse]

Mayne is a funny man. The day that becomes a bad thing for television commentators on something as unimportant as sports is a sad day. Sports/horse racing is entertainment...we need levity to balance the overseriousness that people make of it...it ain't brain surgery. Mayne was THE breath of fresh air on ESPN...I guess he still will be...just not on horse racing however.

[randallscott35]

Mayne's wife was very unattractive when I saw them at the rail, the day after the Travers a few years ago. Thought Kenny had more pull than that. Obviously he is not a "Kev."

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

Mayne's wife was very unattractive when I saw them at the rail, the day after the Travers a few years ago. Thought Kenny had more pull than that. Obviously he is not a "Kev."

He's no Brad Pitt either.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by Hickory Hill Hoff

He's no Brad Pitt either.

Oh, I agree, but when you have cash and name recognition, you're looks seem to improve quite a bit.

[GPK]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

Mayne's wife was very unattractive when I saw them at the rail, the day after the Travers a few years ago. Thought Kenny had more pull than that. Obviously he is not a "Kev."

Rand...there is only 1 "Kev"...but you will get some serious training this summer my friend....there is hope, I promise

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by T3B

Rand...there is only 1 "Kev"...but you will get some serious training this summer my friend....there is hope, I promise

Hope? I'm doing just fine.

I enjoyed his dry,off beat brand of humor....breathe of fresh air sums it up perfectly.
At last years Haskell,his "TV" attire was tie and jacket,after the race it took him about 10 seconds to lose the tie(clip on ?) and get down to a casual T. When he stood up...shorts and sandals. I was not really surprised.

Good Luck..Good Health SWLY.

Chris Fowler will probably be the lead guy now.

[ArlJim78]

Yes bad move, he was everything you guys said, a breath of fresh air, an original. IN VA SOR!

Other sports broadcasts have a comedic element, why shouldn't horse racing?

[ddthetide]

sad day for horse racing, kenny mayne is big into promoting the sport. he always says that one thing he came to espn for was to do horse racing.
i enjoyed his dry humor.

[timmgirvan]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

Yes bad move, he was everything you guys said, a breath of fresh air, an original. IN VA SOR!

Other sports broadcasts have a comedic element, why shouldn't horse racing?

My sentiments exactly! As usual, ESPN finds a way to screw it up!

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by horseofcourse

we need levity to balance the overseriousness that people make of it

Excellent point. Racing fans want ESPN to be another simulcast feed. It ain't gonna happen. ESPN's purpose is to on one hand provide the handicapping and betting information, and on the other entertain. I was one of those that liked Kenny, he at least knew the sport.

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

Excellent point. Racing fans want ESPN to be another simulcast feed. It ain't gonna happen. ESPN's purpose is to on one hand provide the handicapping and betting information, and on the other entertain. I was one of those that liked Kenny, he at least knew the sport.

Travis, I don't really think so, or at least I don't look at ESPN as my simo feed. I like Kenny a lot, I love the guy's sense of humor, his dry wit. And goodness knows, he can laugh at himself.

THIS was a money decision, a business decision on ESPN's part. When a corporation has put into racing what ESPN has committed, especially more recently, adding the BC, they want the very best, the most knowledgable in the broadcast booth. That's what they have in Moss and Bailey. As far as whether one likes or detest Bailey is irrelevant, and many feel--one way or the other. It's not possible to discount the knowledge of these two. And as far as Bailey, he is in an extremely unique situation knowing what no one else can provide from the riding standpoint. Discussing how the race may unfold.

ESPN offers entertainment in the pieces with Jeannine Edwards and Hank Goldberg. The stories put together in horses and owners like Barbaro, etc., etc.

Anchoring of any sport, be it horseracing, or football, or Nascar, or something else is based, first, on knowledge. When the cameras are turned on, those anchors are the first voices that one sees and hears. Those voices often keep one tuned in.

This decision was about ratings and money.

Plus, Kenny has a gig doing commercials. Plenty of exposure there. Bailey, on the other hand, has not yet been called to tout anything other than his own DVDs and his book. I imagine Kenny is still smiling.

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by Grits

Anchoring of any sport, be it horseracing, or football, or Nascar, or something else is based, first, on knowledge.

Kenny knows the sport though?

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Grits

When Bailey retired, and was handed the new gig with ESPN's Moss and Mayne, three was a crowd. And, that was noticable quite often.

Bailey is the right man, along with Moss, to cover the sport. ESPN made a wise decision. One, that all three gentlemen, are probably comfortable with.

i'd rather lose bailey than mayne, if that is the reason.

The best line he had, when paired with Bailey and Moss, was "you are now looking at the three stages of male pattern baldness."