A 2nd BC Day?

[pmayjr]

Before the backlash starts... hear me out.

BC Day- as long as it is, I still think is missing 2 key races, and you could make the agrument for a few more. The Fillie and Mare Mile, and the Fillie and Mare Sprint are two that are deserving additions IMO.

So with that being said, why not do something like what Lone Star did a couple of eyars ago- Have a big day the day before the BC. They had a special running of the Lone Star Derby and had a couple of other stakes races that day.

But just put those 2 races on Friday at the host track. ESPN is doing wall 2 wall coverage anyway, so it'll still get TV prominence and a decent handle (just like Oaks day).

You can argue that there would be $$$ issues, and maybe it would open up a can of worms like adding a Dirt Mile or a Turf Sprint. But my suggestions are just adding a female race based off of 2 races that already exist. To give them a better chance to compete. Also- I think the field sizes in the 2 events could be pretty good. Because on the male side, they're the 2 events that from year to year seem to have the most entrants.

Your thoughts? Agree? Disagree? Additions? And for a select few of you- I'm eagerly awaiting the spewing of negativity on your ends.

[1st_Saturday_in_May]

No to F&M Mile...yes to flat dirt mile. No to F&M Sprint...maybe to turf sprint

[ateamstupid]

I think it makes more sense to add the necessary races (Dirt Mile, F&M Sprint, F&M Mile are what I would add) on the same day. The allure of the BC, I think, is that it's the culmination of the entire racing year all on one day.. It's succinct and still important, as opposed to the TC, which takes place over five weeks.

I agree that more races need to be added, but I think making a "BC day B" or something to that end somewhat defeats the purpose of BC day.

Originally Posted by pmayjr

Before the backlash starts... hear me out.

BC Day- as long as it is, I still think is missing 2 key races, and you could make the agrument for a few more. The Fillie and Mare Mile, and the Fillie and Mare Sprint are two that are deserving additions IMO.

So with that being said, why not do something like what Lone Star did a couple of eyars ago- Have a big day the day before the BC. They had a special running of the Lone Star Derby and had a couple of other stakes races that day.

But just put those 2 races on Friday at the host track. ESPN is doing wall 2 wall coverage anyway, so it'll still get TV prominence and a decent handle (just like Oaks day).

You can argue that there would be $$$ issues, and maybe it would open up a can of worms like adding a Dirt Mile or a Turf Sprint. But my suggestions are just adding a female race based off of 2 races that already exist. To give them a better chance to compete. Also- I think the field sizes in the 2 events could be pretty good. Because on the male side, they're the 2 events that from year to year seem to have the most entrants.

Your thoughts? Agree? Disagree? Additions? And for a select few of you- I'm eagerly awaiting the spewing of negativity on your ends.

Its not negativity Pmayjr, but that kinda cash doesnt come easily. And if they had it to spend, pumping up the purses of the existing races is the way to go.
A dirt mile would weaken both the classic and sprint, thats no good. Turf sprints will never be added. The BREEDERS cup's main purpose was to make stallions. Turf sprint specialists will never be worth 50 cents at stud, so you can forget them adding that on.
I think we have them all covered here. When they added the missing filly and mare turf race they covered it all.
I guess the next thing they mad add, if ever, is the filly and mare sprint. Which I could kinda see a case for, but I'm not dying to see it happen either.
I like things the way they are now. I think all the bases are covered.

Originally Posted by oracle80

Its not negativity Pmayjr, but that kinda cash doesnt come easily. And if they had it to spend, pumping up the purses of the existing races is the way to go.
A dirt mile would weaken both the classic and sprint, thats no good. Turf sprints will never be added. The BREEDERS cup's main purpose was to make stallions. Turf sprint specialists will never be worth 50 cents at stud, so you can forget them adding that on.
I think we have them all covered here. When they added the missing filly and mare turf race they covered it all.
I guess the next thing they mad add, if ever, is the filly and mare sprint. Which I could kinda see a case for, but I'm not dying to see it happen either.
I like things the way they are now. I think all the bases are covered.

I have to agree wither everything.

[pmayjr]

Chromer hit it on the head with not going up against the NFL on Sunday. It you do a 2nd day- it's gotta be Friday. That's why I borught up "Oaks day"... as in Kentucky Oaks. ESPN covers that with decent ratings and coverage. It wouldn't get the attention and handle, but I think it would be comparable to Kentucky Oaks day.

As for a F&M sprint, and an F&M mile. I think the fields sizes and quality still would be pretty good. As I meantioned in the first post- those are the 2 races from year to year who usually attract the largest fields. I don't think that has too much to do with fillies and mares entering those races either. Because they might get 2 per year in those races?

Since it is a day for the Breeders, and to find out whom should be breeding based off those races- you wanna see who some nice bullet fast mares are who can romp goin 1:08 and change right? A dirt mile would dilute things, a F&M Mile and Sprint I don't think would.

[Danzig]

maybe a three race warm up on friday nights...

i really don't see any changes tho.

I think one day is fine seeing that "we" already have to go up against college football.

Get rid of: The 2 Juvy races

The changes: The classic goes 1.5 miles on the dirt (attract Euros) and then a 1 mile on the dirt. If you have a mile on the dirt and a mile and a quarter on the dirt, they run into each other. Also maybe we might get some distance horses here that dont have great speed trying it out.

Also add a 5 f on the turf.

So change the classic a furlong longer, get rid of destructive two year old races. Replace with a mile on the dirt, and a 5 furlong on the grass.

It'll never happen. We must have our investments pay dividends now. Owners cant hold back showing off a two year old. Same old "I got to have it now mommy." Slap that kid upside the head, wait your turn.

[SniperSB23]

I'm sure a lot will hate this idea but I think the best idea is to expand to 12 races and run them at two different tracks with staggered starts like the Sunshine Millions. You would then get 12 races on TV in 3 hours which is something that would be more marketable to the mainstream, especially those who get bored and change the channel after they watch a race and realize it is another half hour until the next one. You would never have to worry about a race like the FM Turf being at 11 furlongs because you would make sure one of the two tracks is capable of running a 10 furlong turf race. It would make inclusion of the dirt mile possible since at least one of the two tracks would be able to run a mile dirt race.

I'd go something along these lines:
Track 1
BC Juvenile (1 mile)
BC Turf Sprint
BC Sprint
BC Juvenile Turf (8.5 furlongs)
BC Distaff
BC Turf

Track 2
BC Juvenile Fillies (1 mile)
BC FM Sprint
BC FM Turf
BC Dirt Mile
BC Turf Mile
BC Classic

[blackthroatedwind]

I think they should just eliminate it all-together and then perhaps races during the year could go back to having some meaning. But, then again, racing really is only about one race, a career record is obviously meaningless.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I think they should just eliminate it all-together and then perhaps races during the year could go back to having some meaning. But, then again, racing really is only about one race, a career record is obviously meaningless.

If they eliminated it do you really think we'd ever see Lava Man and Bernardini face off, or Henny Hughes and Bordonaro, or Aragorn and Gorella, or countless other matchups of east coast and west coast horses? Virtually no one would take the risk of shipping a top horse to the other coast without the reward of the Breeders' Cup. As many faults as the emphasis on the BC has, I think we are better off with it than without it.

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

If they eliminated it do you really think we'd ever see Lava Man and Bernardini face off, or Henny Hughes and Bordonaro, or Aragorn and Gorella, or countless other matchups of east coast and west coast horses? Virtually no one would take the risk of shipping a top horse to the other coast without the reward of the Breeders' Cup. As many faults as the emphasis on the BC has, I think we are better off with it than without it.

Nonsense, Sniper. Could I ask how old you are? I only ask that because in the Days before the BC people shipped all year long to face each other in grade one's to settle championships. Lemme tell ya, racng was full of matchups back then, the kind that met 2-3 -4 times a year rather than once. We sure wouldn't have had Alydar-Affirmed if the BC had been in place back then.

[Scav]

Turf Sprint (because of the increased popularity of these races)

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I think they should just eliminate it all-together and then perhaps races during the year could go back to having some meaning. But, then again, racing really is only about one race, a career record is obviously meaningless.

excellent idea...this thing has turned into a super bowl type day, which make all races leading up to it meaningless. too much emphasis on one day, one race, too little attention paid to the rest of the year. why give out year awards if they don't care what a horse did all year??
also, i still can't get over them referring to the arc as a prep!! the ARC? relegated to prep status...that's ludicrous!

the breeders would be better off continuing their breeders incentives throughout the year, such as added purses like they have right now, give the races from years beginning to years end some meaning, not just those that occur on one day.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Cardus

I'm not weighing in on the topic yet, but isn't it ironic that if the Breeders' Cup's main purpose was to make stallions, then why doesn't a dirt mile race exist even though some breeders -- perhaps many -- believe that a great miler makes a great stallion prospect?

GOOD QUESTION!!

why get rid of the juvie filly race?--that is directed at those who suggested it.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by pmayjr

Before the backlash starts... hear me out.

BC Day- as long as it is, I still think is missing 2 key races, and you could make the agrument for a few more. The Fillie and Mare Mile, and the Fillie and Mare Sprint are two that are deserving additions IMO.

So with that being said, why not do something like what Lone Star did a couple of eyars ago- Have a big day the day before the BC. They had a special running of the Lone Star Derby and had a couple of other stakes races that day.

But just put those 2 races on Friday at the host track. ESPN is doing wall 2 wall coverage anyway, so it'll still get TV prominence and a decent handle (just like Oaks day).

You can argue that there would be $$$ issues, and maybe it would open up a can of worms like adding a Dirt Mile or a Turf Sprint. But my suggestions are just adding a female race based off of 2 races that already exist. To give them a better chance to compete. Also- I think the field sizes in the 2 events could be pretty good. Because on the male side, they're the 2 events that from year to year seem to have the most entrants.

Your thoughts? Agree? Disagree? Additions? And for a select few of you- I'm eagerly awaiting the spewing of negativity on your ends.

i think they could add enough quality racing to make it a two day event. a dirt mile is a great idea, and i'd like to see a filly sprint on dirt. there is talk of expanding eclipse awards, i think they should have showcase events to go with those awards. a mile turf on fillies as well...no doubt you could get enough races. i wouldn't mind seeing another, shorter race for the 2 yo's.

[mclem10011]

Make it a BC WEEKEND Saturday and Sunday event! Or add more races to the day, how bout a nice 16 race BC card? They could throw a couple p6's in for good measure, big fields, big pools, more publicity for the sport, more wagering opportunities! WHO'S WITH ME, I SMELL A PETITION DRIVE? LOL

[mclem10011]

Originally Posted by mclem10011

Make it a BC WEEKEND Saturday and Sunday event! Or add more races to the day, how bout a nice 16 race BC card? They could throw a couple p6's in for good measure, big fields, big pools, more publicity for the sport, more wagering opportunities! WHO'S WITH ME, I SMELL A PETITION DRIVE? LOL

" I'm gonna make him an offer, he can't refuse"

[tanner12oz]

i bet theres a logical reason for the first 2 non bc races on bc day (television is my guess).....but why not scrap those 2 out of place races before the championship races begin.......then you could add an additional 2 championship races instead....what were the first 2 non bc races last year??? i think i remeber the second was a stakes race with scrappy t

BC is already up against College Football. Do you really want to take on the NFL Sunday? Or run races Friday when no one is watching?

Whomever said TV guys were against this hit it on the head. No one wants to counter program the NFL with an unpopular sport. They'll run non-sport programming since that will attract a bigger audience than the miniscule portion of the sports audience that prefers horse racing to NFL football.

This is a niche sport website. Just because the majority of posters here might think this is a good idea doesn't mean any network that tried it won't go broke.