Jim Gluckson response to BC changes

[DelKev]

I received a lengthy (albeit party line) response from Jim Gluckson, the press guy for the Breeders Cup, re: "Ladies Day". Here it is:

"I’ve also seen the news reports and blogs among those who are unhappy about the switch to an all female Breeders’ Cup Friday. If you’ve had your Breeders’ Cup Saturday virtually the same way for 24 years, I can understand being upset and why are “they ruining the best card in racing.” You may be right, but we think, over the next few years, that the changes will strengthen the event in the concept of a two-day championship."

"From our perspective, we don’t want to continue observing Friday being appetizers and Saturday the main course for the event. We want to make both days Championship days with excellent racing. We don’t see Friday being viable down the road if the day is relegated to just $1 million races. Yes, you are correct, we will make it harder for those in the Mountain and Western time zones to bet the Friday races if you have to work. I know this doesn’t make it much easier for you, but five Breeders’ Cup Friday races will be run from 4-7 p.m. ET on ESPN2. The races will also be streamed live on breederscup.com."

"I don’t believe that moving the Ladies’ Classic and the Filly and Mare Turf to Friday diminishes the importance of those races. It’s still the Breeders’ Cup. But if we find that handle is reduced significantly on both days because of these changes, we will certainly look at this again. Thanks -Jim Gluckson"

The final line is especially compelling. I am not putting a dime into Friday's card and will cut my typical stake in half on BC Saturday. Hope others consider doing something similar.

[Cannon Shell]

So the real reason behind having it at SA 2 years in a row is because they want to have Fridays races stretch until 7 pm which is not possible in the Midwest or East coast.

[SentToStud]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

So the real reason behind having it at SA 2 years in a row is because they want to have Fridays races stretch until 7 pm which is not possible in the Midwest or East coast.

If they want to be creative and actually draw interest from new potential fans they would run the BC at night. At least once.

It don't take no rocket sientist to know that.

[DelKev]

Originally Posted by SentToStud

If they want to be creative and actually draw interest from new potential fans they would run the BC at night. At least once.

It don't take no rocket sientist to know that.

Know your talking -- how come the ideas on DT are so much better then the ones by the people pulling the strings at the BC?

[3kings]

Originally Posted by SentToStud

If they want to be creative and actually draw interest from new potential fans they would run the BC at night. At least once.

It don't take no rocket sientist to know that.

Other than Hollywood which tracks are set up for night racing, than can accomidate the Cup?

[NoLuvForPletch]

Originally Posted by 3kings

Other than Hollywood which tracks are set up for night racing, than can accomidate the Cup?

Woodbine

[SentToStud]

Originally Posted by Cardus

Mountaineer?

Wherever. Hollywood has lights, Lone Star has lights, other tracks have lights. It's not that hard. Most of the night college football games use temporary lights on flatbed trailers.

Hell, whenever they run the BC at Churchill, the Classic is pretty much run in darkness anyway.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by SentToStud

Wherever. Hollywood has lights, Lone Star has lights, other tracks have lights. It's not that hard. Most of the night college football games use temporary lights on flatbed trailers.

Hell, whenever they run the BC at Churchill, the Classic is pretty much run in darkness anyway.

Good luck to them getting Prime Time television coverage.....especially on any Saturday.

[miraja2]

Fairmount has lights.

My suggestion would be to permanently re-locate the BC to Fairmount, start the races at 3:30 in the morning on Christmas, and only show the races on HRTV.

Oh yeah, and even though Fairmount actually has lights.....don't turn any of them on.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Good luck to them getting Prime Time television coverage.....especially on any Saturday.

The whole fricken point is that it shouldn't be on network TV...Racing is NOT a national sport.. the only time it transends into mainstream sports is when a superstar horse or story evolves.. Racing should embrace it's TVG/HRTV fan base and develop programming and content for it's showcase day, inconjuction with its wagering outlets.

Imagine experts on racing examining and delving into racing for 6 - 8 weeks prior to the races? Build your foundation then grow your business..It's really fairly simple.

[blackthroatedwind]

My Breeder's Cup feelings, in general, have been stated over and over again, but one thing I will say is that I know Jim Gluckson pretty well, and I have only good things to say about him. Racing needs more Jim Glucksons. Whether I necessarily agree with what he says I very much respect him and give his comments the same respect. He's one of the good guys.

[DelKev]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

My Breeder's Cup feelings, in general, have been stated over and over again, but one thing I will say is that I know Jim Gluckson pretty well, and I have only good things to say about him. Racing needs more Jim Glucksons. Whether I necessarily agree with what he says I very much respect him and give his comments the same respect. He's one of the good guys.

I am sure he is ... I thanked him up and down for the personal response. I totally disagree him but he did take the time to respond which says alot.

[Indian Charlie]

Instead of trying to make Friday into a main course day instead of an appetizer day, how about doing away with the Friday BC concept all together, thus fixing every problem at one fell swoop?

[Danzig]

oh, friday isn't lesser?! yeah, that's why the classic stayed as the last race on saturday.
why not run the turf for boys friday, the classic saturday? they could have done a better job of mixing things up then relegate the non future studs to friday.