Championship Confusion Nothing New

- Gary West, writing in the Dallas-Ft Worth Star Telegram, writes of the synthetic problem facing this year's Breeders' Cup, making the case that this year's (and next for that matter) Breeders' Cup World Championships cannot be considered as such.

Everyone agrees, all the coaches and all the fans, that the game played Jan. 8 in Miami will determine the national champion of college football. About the selection process leading up to the game and about the teams involved there may be, and probably will be, passionate disagreement.

But about the game itself and what it means nearly everyone agrees. And that agreement confers championship importance. In fact, championship status depends entirely on such agreement. Without it, there would be only championship confusion.

That’s precisely where horse racing finds itself, in a state of championship confusion. The sport’s championship event, the Breeders’ Cup, may not in fact determine many championships at all, simply because the races, or at least eight of them, will be run on a surface that precludes agreement about their significance.

As you know if you've been visiting this site, I've been unabashedly in favor of the synthetic track endeavor, for the almost utopian notion of the injury-, bias-, and slop-free racing it aspires to, if not for the actual and mixed results thus far. I've probably at some point accused the most virulent opponents of being whiners.

But I also have to be honest, and admit that I totally agree with what West says. I'd be most ambivalent about Go Between as Horse of the Year even if he were to thrash both Curlin and Big Brown, and anyone else who ships in for the race. The marked differences in form and preference we've seen between many of the synthetic surfaces and natural dirt was not part of the package I'd hoped for. I think that's been the biggest failure of the experiment thus far.

However, the problem of the climactic races being rendered ambiguous is not at all entirely new; just manifested in a different way in a different era. For one thing, the fact is that there have always been stark differences between the California tracks and those in the east. It was common to hear trainers hesitate to ship horses out west due to their reputation as being rock-hard, fast, and speed favoring.

In addition, and of even more significance, was the difference in medication rules before New York permitted the use of Lasix in 1995. Before that, it was the only major racing state to ban it. And since the road to the championships went through Belmont's Fall Championship meeting before the Breeders' Cup came along, the titles were almost always decided Lasix-free. That changed however in 1984, when the first Breeders' Cup was held in California. Steven Crist, reporting for the New York Times the week leading up to the inaugural event, laid out two possible scenarios:

Scenario A: The races are thrilling, competitive contests among the best horses in the world, and are won by such popular stars as Slew o' Gold and Chief's Crown. The races determine national champions and yield a horse-of- the-year titleholder. A larger audience than has ever watched racing on television tunes in for an unparalleled four hours of live network coverage. The races rekindle national interest in thoroughbred racing, and the Breeders' Cup rivals the Kentucky Derby as the racing event of the year. From now on, the rest of the racing season is a prelude to the series, and horses' entire careers are geared toward winning a Breeders' Cup race.

Scenario B: Because most of the horses will have been flown into unfamiliar surroundings and onto a tricky race track, and because California has extremely permissive rules that allow horses to run with the benefit of form-altering medications, the races yield meaningless upsets. Inferior horses win the fat purses, and the championship picture is unchanged. The magic of television fails to stretch 13 minutes into a sufficiently captivating four-hour broadcast to hold anyone but diehard racing fans. The Breeders' Cup is a bust, and horsemen decide that the existing racing calendar is perfectly sufficient to showcase and prove their horses.

Well, I'd have to say that Scenario A seems to have largely prevailed. Chief's Crown won, and though Slew O'Gold fell a bit short, that was attributed more to a bad hoof than anything else. I can't think of any race that was more thrilling than that first Classic. The Breeders' Cup is still here, and yes, most of the racing season is now just a prelude.

However, that certainly didn't erase the stigma many fans attached to Wild Again's Classic win, which may have cost Slew O'Gold Horse of the Year, awarded to John Henry despite the fact he'd only won on grass. As Crist reported the next year:

Some fans were bothered that Wild Again raced with the benefit of both the analgesic phenylbutazone and the diuretic furosemide in last year's Classic, and that all his victories had come over hard, speed-favoring tracks.

No doubt we'll be hearing some of the exact same language should Go Between defeat worthy eastern rivals in the Classic. As with the rules regarding Lasix, the industry will no doubt some day move to make dirt surfaces more uniform nationwide. My preference is that someone comes up with some mixture, whether dirt, wax, or some concoction of both, that fulfills the goals with which the synthetic project was launched. Whatever it decides, chances are that some new dichotomy will emerge to cloud the picture again. But hopefully, it will be a more worthy solution than New York having given in and legalized the medication other than the other way around.

No Medals For ESPN

- Here's an interesting article in the NY Times about NBC's smashing success with the Olympics, and the efforts of the network's sports chairman Dick Ebersol to make it so. Even eight years ago, Ebersol was already working on having these Games shifted from September back to August.

“If you’re into September, you’re going to lose a big percentage of your male viewers,” Mr. Ebersol said. “There’s N.F.L. coverage on Sundays and Mondays, and college football is now on four or five nights a week. All of that goes away if you start in mid-August.”

Ebersol wanted the swimming and gymnastics events to be available on live TV. Since that meant that the events would have to take place early in the morning (a 12 hour time difference between Beijing and Queens), he went directly to Michael Phelps, who assured him that it would not negatively impact his performance. Which I guess it didn't. (And by the way, his win in the 100 meter fly was the aquatic equivalent of Colonel John's Travers win!)

Ebersol said of Phelps: “He told me: ‘My only real goal is to leave the sport bigger and better than I found it,,,".

I can't help but wish that there was just a fraction of the efforts and dedication described above from the participants of the sport of horse racing, and the network which televises its showcase event. Regardless of who you think is ducking who between Curlin and Big Brown, if the participants' main goal really was to help the sport grow rather than to enrich themselves, they would get this done. And preferably in the match race format that's been discussed. It's high time to leave Ruffian in the past, and thank her for prompting the passage of time which would give such an event a true once-in-a-lifetime feel.

Regarding ESPN, I know that you can't compare the Breeders' Cup and the Olympics. Of course Ebersole had to hustle to make it work - NBC spent $894 million on the rights and had a lot more at stake. The Breeders' Cup is merely small fry by comparison. But, as you recall, ESPN pledged a major effort to make the Breeders' Cup a jewel of the network. Need I once again repeat the quote? OK...."We intend to bring our full arsenal of resources to present, to promote and distribute the storied property as no one else can."

Discussing the deal just prior to ESPN's first telecast in 2006, Breeders' Cup (then interim) CEO Greg Avioli said that rather than for ratings,
"It was designed for significantly more promotion over the months leading up to the Breeders' Cup to grow the property."

Well, I just don't see that kind of dedication from ESPN on at least two key fronts. For one thing, once September rolls around, as Mr. Ebersol noted, college and pro football starts. And horse racing on ESPN disappears. Poof. This past weekend's telecasts were the last time you'll see races on national TV until October 4. Given the fact that most of today's top thoroughbreds have their final preps scheduled for more than "only" three weeks before the Breeders' Cup, most of those horses, including Curlin and Big Brown, will not be in action when Randy Moss and Co. are next seen. Amongst the Breeders' Cup Challenge races that will not be on ESPN are the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Queen Elizabeth II, Lady's Secret, the Goodwood, Alcibiades, the Woodbine Mile and the EP Taylor, Grade 1 races all. (There's also the Flower Bowl, Turf Classic and Vosburgh, all not included on the BC's list of Challenge races, is that right??)

Now, it's partly the Breeders' Cup fault for expanding the Challenge series too much too quickly; can't expect ESPN to televise all of them (especially, and thankfully, races like the mile and a half Turfway Fall Championship. Did you notice that Delosvientos, who thrashed the Marathon-challenged qualified Evening Attire in the Brooklyn, was 9th at 21-1 in the Pac Classic?) But still, one broadcast in the nine weeks leading up the Breeders' Cup is pretty damn weak.

And the other thing that's been bugging me is Filly Friday. No, not the concept nor the hysterical debate about the Ladies' Classic name. But rather the fact that ESPN could, if it wanted to, present the races in prime time. Sunday's Pac Classic ran from 8 to 10 here, a little taste of what could be. I can't recall a similar prime time national broadcast of horse racing at all, can you? It can only really happen with the races on the west coast, since the sport shuns the nighttime for the most part, especially for the bigger stars. It would give the network and the sport a chance to market the event to a wider TV audience than it may usually have. Here's a rare opportunity to present, in prime time, the best horses in training, and races that could be more interesting than the male counterparts the next day.

Yet, not only will it instead be on from 4 until 7 PM in the east.....a time when I can almost guarantee you that nobody but the already-devoted will make at least an effort to tune in, but it's not even on the main ESPN network. It's on ESPN2. That's not prime time in any sense of the word, and it's not appropriate for our championship races. It's more appropriate for those Olympics leftovers such as badminton and archery, presented on the USA Network and CNBC in the late afternoon.

No Champagne For Favorites

- How bad were Majestic Warrior and Ready's Image in the Champagne?? Oh man! I was never really that hepped on Majestic Warrior's Hopeful, but I figured he'd at least be closing instead of backing up at the finish. And Ready's Image was already dead last as they turned for home, ugh; and Pletcher said he would not be pointed to the Juvenile.

I don't believe we saw the Derby winner today; nor the Juvenile winner for that matter. War Pass set a quick pace with opening quarters of 22.87 and 22.85; and I think he held on in large part because the only ones chasing him were the two longest shots in the field. He hung on by 1 1/2 in a final quarter of 25.88. He's three-for-three, which is hard to criticize, but it's unclear how he'll do stretching out to two turns. Champagne winners are o-for-nine in the Juvenile since Timber Country was the last to win both in 1994.

Bob Baffert was said to be off to catch a plane back to the West Coast, no doubt to saddle Tough Tiz's Sis in the Lady's Secret on Sunday; so Jan Rushton interviewed Garrett Gomez instead after Indian Blessing won the Frizette. Afterwards, she said that Indian Blessing is the likely favorite for the Juv Fillies. Really? I mean, I was impressed by the way she calmly rated behind the longshot speed and moved to take the lead. But a 27.24 second final quarter? And I'm more inclined to accept the chart caller's description of "ridden out to the finish" rather than Durkin's characterization of her having been "geared down." Maybe for a couple of strides before the finish, in my view.

The Toddster didn't fare well in the Breeders Futurity at Keeneland either, as The Roundhouse finished 6th as the 2-1 choice.

Saturday Morning Notes - Oct 6

- Dick Powell, writing on Brisnet.com, laments:

I only wish Lawyer Ron could have held on for the win to get a better price on Curlin. As good as Lawyer Ron has been, I still think his best distance is nine furlongs and will toss him at Monmouth.

Ladbrokes now has Curlin as the 4-1 favorite, which I think Powell would be pleased to receive that price at Monmouth. As a recognizable name from the Triple Crown series and having defeated Lawyer Ron, it seems a virtual certainty that he'll be the betting favorite.

Lawyer Ron is listed as the 9-2 second choice, with Any Given Saturday and Street Sense 5-1 (there you go, John). I do think he'll be second choice, and if you like Curlin and can toss Lawyer Ron it could set up some interesting exotic possibilities. But still too early for that.

The Meadowlands Cup, run last night, was billed as the last "major" Classic prep. But I thought that the only way it would make a major impact this year is if Godolphin's Utopia had built upon his US debut and established himself as a legit contender. Instead, as the 2-1 favorite, he bobbled just a bit at the start and really showed very little afterwards. He made a brief move approaching the turn toward the uncoupled rabbit Mr. Umphrey, but was quickly passed by the eventual one-two finishers and dropped back feebly.

So instead, it was Diamond Stripes by a half over Magna Graduate, two second stringers who have proven to be not quite up to Grade 1's. For the latter, who was conceding four pounds, it was a wakeup after a couple of awful attempts. Pletcher said there are no plans to run Magna Graduate in the Breeders' Cup. [AP] Diamond Stripes surely benefited from the drop in grades. Dutrow indicated that he is leaning towards the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile on Oct. 26 at Monmouth Park rather than the Classic the following day. [Bloodhorse]

- Keeneland is not the only track in Lexington with big races today. The top three-year old trotters and pacers will be in action at The Red Mile, where there's virtually no betting handle at all. I'm sure it doesn't help that it's an HRTV track. Donato Hanover heads the Kentucky Futurity, and yes, that's a race for three-year olds, though this son of Andover Hall surely has very little future left on the racetrack at all. He is already slated to stand at Hanover Shoe Farms next year. He puts a 17 race win streak on the line, and at least he's raced that many times. The Futurity is run in two elimination heats, and it's possible that a horse would have to race three times in order to be declared the winner. And that's a lot of fun to watch, though I'm not sure how much it is for the horses! But it's cool that harness racing still retains some of the tradition and flourish of the past.

Breeders' Cup Blogging

- So, here's a little announcement I have to make, which will partly explain my absence for the last 48 hours or so. I'm happy to inform you that the folks at the Breeders' Cup have shown the good taste to hire yours truly to blog on their site. I've actually known about this for awhile, but waited until now to announce it here. Honestly, I've been more than a little nervous about it, and didn't want to make a big deal only for them to see my first post and tell me to take a hike. However, that initial entry should be up at some point soon (I'll provide a direct link as soon as I get it); and I expect to do a couple of posts a week there, and then more during the week of the event. In addition, I'll be getting press credentials for the races and plan to blog extensively about the whole experience right here. I've been assured that I'm free to say what's on my mind there (within reason, of course), and I think you'll find that my first post is evidence that I'm not expected to merely tow the company line.

So, they'll be a couple of changes here at LATG. For one thing, going commercial always involves some sacrifice - call it 'selling out' if you wish - so don't expect to see me writing about the Breeders' Cup or their executives and trustees in the same terms that I occasionally have for, say.....Empire Racing. And secondly, a lot of the Breeders' Cup-related material that I would normally post here will instead appear there. But that still leaves a lot to discuss, and I intend to continue my writing here on a regular basis.

As usual, I'd like to thank all of you, my dear readers, for visiting and coming back on a regular basis. They contacted me to write for them, and that obviously wouldn't have happened without those of you who have helped the web stats grow.

And I want to thank my talented colleagues of the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance (the TBA) for their continued gracious support and encouragement. As usual, I urge you to check them all out, and the links to each are listed in the right sidebar. And after you're done with that, please come back as my regularly scheduled posting will resume shortly.