Santa Anita selected as host for 2013 Breeders Cup

[skippy3481]

Also, our track records are so slow that every winning horse will set the track record at that distance. Imagine what a good p.r. firm can do with that. ....

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

This isn't saying SA is anything other than a great host, but it's rather frustrating to see them get it yet again, not long after the discussion about a permanent vs. rotating track system.

Once again I'm lucky cause I live here but once again I'm pretty disgusted at the joke this has become.

I was hoping for Belmont and yeah I know that wasn't really gonna happen for 2013 (can't blame me for wishing though!) but Woodbine, Arlington, Gulfstream, etc..... this is so unfair.

This is un


be


liev


a


ble.

[dellinger63]

sorry all

[dellinger63]

Arlington's weather is so iffy, even though it's close and convenient for me personally I say know, especially until the Governor either becomes race friendly, is voted out or dies (in no particular order).

NY deserves one soon. But the Spa is far far too small. (don't think the BC crowd is the lay in the park on dirt kind of crowd)

And Monmouth was too small coupled with the lack of parking and neighborhood surroundings (no hotels) to host again IMO.

GP would be interesting but the grandstand is small. They do have a bunch of space to host VIP parties for people happy to watch the TV's and only get a glimpse of the actual track.

Though far from Chicago Santa Anita is my pick.

[skippy3481]

The downs did a nice job last year but the weather can be brutal there..... I would still like to see a 5 year model

anita
downs
anita
downs
wildcard(gulfstream, belmont etc.)

[ranger5830]

I've never been to Saratoga, (gasp!) but on Travers day over the last several years the average attendance has been 40-45,000, I don't think a BC would draw many more than that there, is it that crowded on Travers day?

I kind of agree with MMSC, being a Californian I like it being out here for our convenience but it should go back to New York (I would say Belmont before Saratoga) soon.

[Danzig]

one of the things that the bc originally mentioned, was that the bc was meant to showcase breeders all over the country...and yet, lately, they've shunned any areas other than churchill and ca. what happened? where did that idea go?

[skippy3481]

Andy or steve can better post the logistical challenges to having a bc at saratoga. Belmont is just much better equipped to handle large crowds. Also, a good deal of toga patrons sit in the backyard picnic area...

[PatCummings]

Originally Posted by skippy3481

Andy or steve can better post the logistical challenges to having a bc at saratoga. Belmont is just much better equipped to handle large crowds. Also, a good deal of toga patrons sit in the backyard picnic area...

Skippy is right - the mass of the crowd isn't in the grandstand, or on the apron, but rather in the backyard.

Everyone should just forget the Spa BC idea - it's NEVER going to happen, and really, it never should.

[pointman]

Originally Posted by skippy3481

Andy or steve can better post the logistical challenges to having a bc at saratoga. Belmont is just much better equipped to handle large crowds. Also, a good deal of toga patrons sit in the backyard picnic area...

The fact that the Spa is an outdoor facility and that NYRA would have to move a tremendous amount of equipment up there from downstate for two days of racing and could not guarantee that the weather would even allow the races to go on, pretty much precludes the Spa from ever being a BC site.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by Danzig

arlington? and what about florida tracks? i know more than once people have said hialeah. that would be fabulous!

Supposedly Calder had a big chance, but now those wusses at the BC are worried that Kirk Zadie is going to be walking around all weekend calling people derogatory names and threating to make them disappear.

[skippy3481]

Ranger, do plan a visit to toga. I've been to a fair amount of tracks and nothing compares to that place. It's just something about the atmosphere that makes it unlike anywhere else.

[onebadbeast]

keenland? place is smaller than a fishbowl....