BC Spins the Numbers

- Thanks to this reader who points us to Steve Crist for the grim year-to-year handle comparisons from Friday in spreadsheet form. The F&M Sprint, the only race which was run on Friday last year, came in virtually dead-even with last year's race; and as Crist points out, considering the awful conditions last year, that has to rate as a big disappointment.

Not as much of course as the three races which were (properly) run on Saturday last year. Considering only the single-race pools (wps, ex, tri, super), the combined handle on those races were down 32% according to Crist's spreadsheet. And recall again that some people shied away from the races last year due to the slop. (In fairness, I suppose some may also have done so this year due to the Pro-Ride; but that was strictly the Breeders' Cup decision as opposed to uncontrollable forces of nature.)

Of course, one can spin numbers anyway they want, and the Breeders' Cup was quick to point out that this was the biggest North American handle ever for a Friday; a middling claim at best! "The horse racing fans of Southern California and sports fans around the world responded enthusiastically to the new format for Championship Friday," said Greg Avioli.

No Greg, sorry, but they did not. Instead of spouting pure unadulterated BS like that, a more fan-friendly and marketing-savvy statement might have been: "While the horse racing fans of Southern California and sports fans around the world responded enthusiastically, we have also heard your concerns. Therefore, in response to the fans who showed their loyal support today and throughout the year, we will revert to our traditional format next year, and restore the Breeders' Cup Distaff to its rightful place on our true championship day."

Dream on...