In the Friday October 28 edition of the Times Union, they will print an edited version of the commentary that I wrote below in which I argue that NYRA should put in a bid to host the Breeders Cup at Saratoga Race Course. It will be in their print editions and I assume the on-line version as well. In any event you can help by linking to the Bring the Breeders Cup to Saratoga Race Course Facebook Page and pressing the "LIKE" button. I will post my commentary below, which should be essentially the same as the one printed in the Times Union: ADDED: You can link the Times Union version here.
Today the long-awaited casino at Aqueduct Racetrack opens, and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) will start receiving a portion of proceeds from the recently installed nearly 2,500 video lottery terminals (VLTs) and Electronic Table Games (ETGs), which will be doubled to 5,000 machines in the coming months. This is a fantastic day in New York thoroughbred racing, because now NYRA will finally have money to increase purses sufficiently and fix aging facilities at its three storied race tracks, including our own beloved Saratoga Race Course.
I read a recent commentary from a horse racing columnist who predicted “The Breeders' Cup will surely return to New York as fast as you can say slot machine.” Yes, indeed, but does “Breeders Cup” and “New York” have to equal “Belmont”? I say no! Not next time anyway.
Am I really going there? Am I really suggesting “The August place to be” become, for one year anyway, “The November place to be”? You bet I am! Why not? Why can’t the most beautiful race track on the planet host the biggest two days of racing on the planet? Yes, it’s time for NYRA to break tradition and put in a bid to host the Breeders Cup at - not Belmont, not this time anyway, but instead at the one, the only - Saratoga Race Course!
A naysayer might allege that Saratoga Springs in November is not suited for a marquee horse racing event? Really? The Breeders Cup has been held at Belmont Park four times, and even at Aqueduct (!) once. The average daily November temperature difference between Elmont, New York (home to Belmont) and Saratoga Springs is just seven degrees. Elmont, by the way, averages more rain in November than Saratoga Springs. Note that we are talking early November, not the post-Thanksgiving “winter is here” November. Should NYRA ignore the most beautiful race course on the planet for an inconsequential seven degree differential? I think not!
Yes, November in Saratoga is a far cry from August, but can’t NYRA try something different, just once? Sure it would break tradition, but what a great way to break it, and the Breeders Cup would of course be in addition to the regular Saratoga summer meet, not in place of it.
As a native of Buffalo who has sat through a number of December and January Buffalo Bills football games in the uncovered Ralph Wilson stadium, I would have no problem putting on an extra layer or two to see a world-class and historical event right here in the Capital District. I suspect others feel the same way, and I bet the Spa backyard would be filled with fans just like it is in August - they‘d only be dressed differently. Come on NYRA, dare to dream big and make some history! Put in a bid to host the Breeders Cup at the grand and majestic Saratoga Race Course - the most beautiful thoroughbred track in the world!
How odd that when the folks read it there will be snow on the ground. I've seen interviews with Charlie Hayward on this topic. His primary concern is that there is much exposed plumbing in the facility and that keeping the facility in shape to operate until November could be disastrous should there be a freeze. Surely there wouldn't be a freeze in late October ;)
Where is it etched in stone that BC has to be the first week in November? Move it to mid October at the Spa. OR if you want my really radical opinion, I think it should be held every Labor Day weekend at the Spa. It would have little college and no pro football TV competition. It would also, IMO, positively reduce the influence of the BC on year end eclipse awards. Races like the Cigar Mile, JC Gold Cup, and Hollywood Futurity would become championship races again. If NASCAR can have their biggest event in February, the BC could move to Labor Day. Never happen, but...
Posted by: ljk | October 28, 2011 at 11:18 AM
I do not understand the connection between VLT's and the Breeders' Cup. My understanding is that the Breeders' Cup basically leases the host track and manages everything associated with the event. You do not need (and could not get) VLT revenues for an event where the purses begin at $1 million and go up. From what I have read, the impediment to New York getting the Breeders' Cup has been New York's increasingly restrictive medication rules.
Posted by: Tom Noonan | October 28, 2011 at 03:01 PM
Tom: The commentary that I quoted can be found here: http://www.lvrj.com/sports/aqueduct-casino-part-of-nyra-s-bright-future-132298308.html. The writer's point is that the Aqueduct Casino makes New York Racing one of the, if not THE, strongest state thoroughbred racing programs in the nation. With such as strong program, the reasoning goes, surely The Breeders Cup will return to New York.
ljk I really like your thinking! Nothing has to be a certain way "because that's the way it's always been". Sure, there are reasons they hold The Breeders Cup in November, but if the purpose is to promote horse racing, then I say Saratoga is the avenue to do that. Why? Because there are, in my estimation, tens of thousands of Saratoga Race Course fans that aren't necessarily horse racing fans. The just love the horse racing At Saratoga. Saratoga could be the entree for people to learn to love the wider world of horse racing - or at least simply The Breeders Cup. Thanks for commenting both of you!
Posted by: Dan | October 28, 2011 at 07:27 PM
Are you not aware that this suggestion/idea has been brought up and discussed about 100 times over the past 20 years?
Posted by: Tim Tam | October 31, 2011 at 08:56 PM
Yes, I was aware and discussed it with a few people who have been involved in the past. Many good ideas take years or decades to percolate, so this new focus complete with a Facebook page, a large article in the Times Union, and, perhaps most importantly, a new casino at Aqueduct giving great momentume to New York Racing seems well timed to me. Thanks for commenting!
Posted by: Dan | November 01, 2011 at 05:26 PM
Dan,
One other reason the BC won't come to Saratoga is that one of the big races is the dirt mile. The Spa can't run a dirt mile because it wold start on the turn which is unfair to the outside horses.
Posted by: Jim Campbell | November 07, 2011 at 09:34 PM
Hey thanks Jim - I guess there are a few hurdles but I think they can be overcome - as you previously indicated to me in an email perhaps they could move the finish line for that one race - seems doable.
Posted by: Dan | November 08, 2011 at 07:09 AM