Compared to What?

- I got a response from someone associated with the Breeders' Cup over this post. It was pointed out that the year-to-year handle comparison regarding the filly races that used to be run on Saturday were not really fair ones. Of course the handle would be down on a weekday. Also that my characterization of Greg Avioli's comments as spin was inaccurate, and that the figures honestly exceeded their expectations.

Of course that's a valid point about the handle comparisons - kinda like comparing apples to oranges I guess. And I have no reason whatsoever to doubt that what I was told about their expectations is true. The overall handle was up 5%, though I'm not really sure compared to what considering that there were three more races, the slop of last year vs. the synthetic of this, some of the more recognizable names this year running in relative obscurity on a Friday afternoon. Steve Crist, who hit the pick six, has what may be more relevant stats. I don't know that any comparison really means anything in this case. But I suppose that anything that contains the word up is good these days, especially in a struggling industry such as this.

Of course, the handle is not the main point in my mind. And neither in my opinion is the concept of a separate day for the fillies and mares. What upset me all along was the TV scheduling. With the races in California, there was an opportunity to run the races from 2:30 - 5:30 at the track, and thereby create a rare prime time opportunity for the sport. Instead, not only were the races scheduled early, thus making it essentially a weekday afternoon affair, but that extra half hour that the event was pushed back from what we were originally told was like twisting the knife. ESPN did not do right by the sport, and obviously cannot be relied on.

And regardless of the TV situation, Filly Friday was widely reviled by the press and fans,at least what I've seen. Let me say this, borrowing from Chris 'Mad Dog' Russo: I will be shocked...SHOCKED! if the Breeders' Cup does not go back to its traditional Saturday format, and stage the minor affairs on Friday, where they make for an exceptional lead-in to the main event. And if they don't restore the name of the Distaff. I think they're making a big mistake, at least from a PR standpoint, if they don't. People respect when organizations and companies admit that they're wrong; and take it as arrogance when they insist they're right.