Santa Anita set to land 2012 Breeders’ Cup

[NTamm1215]

Terrific article and to be perfectly honest some pretty pointed criticism was offered about Belmont as a host site by Satish on ATR last week. Those handle figures, including that Belmont's per race handle in 2005 was higher than SA's in 2003, are evidence to the contrary.

It seems as if weather and Clocker's Corner have become more important criteria than handle for BC host sites.

[freddymo]

I would like to see CD be the home of the BC. I also would like the BC to be dissolved regardless of how much I love the day/s. Took me a while to understand its distructive pattens but I finally figured it out. If it has to be keep it at CD and make it someting really special and ditch these ridiculous races that they added.

Belmont was great. Shame they won' have it for '12 the weather issue is BS

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by freddymo

I would like to see CD be the home of the BC.

I'd like to see Santana Strings win an Eclipse.

Respectfully Mr. Mo(Mo), I agree with Richard and Travis...

A different site every year. Lets spread the love.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

Terrific article and to be perfectly honest some pretty pointed criticism was offered about Belmont as a host site by Satish on ATR last week. Those handle figures, including that Belmont's per race handle in 2005 was higher than SA's in 2003, are evidence to the contrary.

It seems as if weather and Clocker's Corner have become more important criteria than handle for BC host sites.

Satish is wrong plenty but I genuinely believe he cares.. Maybe I am the fool

[Travis Stone]

Much like the major golf tournaments, part of the appeal of say the US Open is that it changes venues every year. It presents new challenges and gives fans from the various regions a chance to experience it. And they re-visit those sites which do a better than average job.

Interestingly, when they did the prime time US Open last year at Pebble Beach, ratings were through the roof... but they did not marry themselves to it despite the success. This year they announced it's headed back to Shinnecock.

My point is part of the appeal of the Breeders' Cup - for someone like myself, who grew-up with the Breeders' Cup already established - was its changing of venues. Bad weather, cool weather... it's all part of the game. I enjoyed watching the Breeders' Cup at Lone Star and Woodbine. I had a blast at Monmouth, even though it rained. And in 1995, that was one of my favorite days ever in horse racing.

This is one of obviously many bullet points/lines of thought, but certainly seems to be one fairly popular with the general fan base.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

Much like the major golf tournaments, part of the appeal of say the US Open is that it changes venues every year. It presents new challenges and gives fans from the various regions a chance to experience it. And they re-visit those sites which do a better than average job.

Interestingly, when they did the prime time US Open last year at Pebble Beach, ratings were through the roof... but they did not marry themselves to it despite the success. This year they announced it's headed back to Shinnecock.

My point is part of the appeal of the Breeders' Cup - for someone like myself, who grew-up with the Breeders' Cup already established - was its changing of venues. Bad weather, cool weather... it's all part of the game. I enjoyed watching the Breeders' Cup at Lone Star and Woodbine. I had a blast at Monmouth, even though it rained. And in 1995, that was one of my favorite days ever in horse racing.

This is one of obviously many bullet points/lines of thought, but certainly seems to be one fairly popular with the general fan base.

Travis The Master's is the better comparision. When they play Amen Corner the planet is watching and is fimilar, we all know 13/15 are reachable etc.. The reason why is because the course has been consistent. CD has the right dimensions to run the proper races. The juggling from place to place doesn't work IMO.

As a East coast resdent I would love it to be Belmont but that is just me being selfish

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Travis The Master's is the better comparision. When they play Amen Corner the planet is watching and is fimilar, we all know 13/15 are reachable etc.. The reason why is because the course has been consistent. CD has the right dimensions to run the proper races. The juggling from place to place doesn't work IMO.

As a East coast resdent I would love it to be Belmont but that is just me being selfish

Disagree. The juggling has worked fine, as Crist expertly noted. As for other sports, changing venue has not hurt the Super Bowl at all.

I like the 4-year rotation idea using Cal, NY, KY, with every 4th year open to a wild card like NJ or FL.

--Dunbar

[Thunder Gulch]

Agree with Dunbar. Move it around and let fans in all parts of the country experience the sports championship day as long as the venue is big enough to deal with the crowd. At least Santa Anita is back on dirt now so we don't have to crown a dirt champion running on synthetic.

[Clip-Clop]

If they can have the freaking Superbowl open air in NJ in February, they can have Breeders Cup anywhere. Though I think weather has become a major factor in the decision process after MTH. Although the horses all ran to form that day really.

[rgustafson]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

Terrific article and to be perfectly honest some pretty pointed criticism was offered about Belmont as a host site by Satish on ATR last week. Those handle figures, including that Belmont's per race handle in 2005 was higher than SA's in 2003, are evidence to the contrary.

It seems as if weather and Clocker's Corner have become more important criteria than handle for BC host sites.

Your handle comparisons between SA in 2003 and Bel in 2005 certainly are valid, but Crist using 2008 and 2009 handle figures at SA for comparison makes no mention of the main reason the handle was lower was due to the backlash of many bettors against wagering on races run over synthetic racing surfaces. The interesting comparison will be SA in 2012 vs. Bel in 2013.

[Danzig]

strictly by handle, no one comes close to churchill.

however, i agree with others that the bc should rotate to as many tracks as possible. it's supposed to be a program for breeders-and those folks don't reside just in ky and cali.
it should be brought back to lone star, belmont, etc. but i think the bc is hitting calif quite often right now because the industry out there is taking a pummeling.