When the BC races, "jumped the shark"

We are three weeks away from thoroughbred racing's championship day; the Breeder's Cup. The event was created as a year-end championship day for thoroughbred racing, . The Breeders' Cup was founded in 1982 by pet food heir; John Gaines, a leading thoroughbred owner and breeder who wanted to clean up the sport's image. The intention was to gather the best horses in North America and Europe through nominations for seven grade I races. In 1984 was the inaugural running at Hollywood Park and the seven races were a staple from then until 1999 when the Breeder's Cup Filly and Mare Turf was added. The total races remained at 8 until the event was split into two days in 2007 and the race total increased to 14. It was shortly after that when the Breeder's Cup would not only change, but would "jumped the shark" in my opinion.

Now for those who don't know the term; "jumped the shark", it comes for the 70's television show Happy Days. Coined by John Hien, it refers when television show begins a decline in quality. Then the writers use some type of "gimmick" in a desperate attempt to keep viewers' interest. The case in point, was when the Fonz water-skied over a shark tank. This was a idea to increase the show's dwindling ratings, which proved not good enough to bring back the show to it's formally high ratings. I believed in 2007, when the Breeder's Cup (now known as the Breeder's Cup World Championship races since 2002) was split into a two day event at Monmouth Park , the aura of this championship day would change forever!

First, the championships were run on two different days and nearly doubled to 14 races. That year was the first time in was at Monmouth Park and unfortunately both days were a complete wash out with heavy rains. It would also mark the last time that the Breeder's Cup would rotate from track to track, different each year. The past five years the races were only contested at Churchill Downs and Santa Anita Park. Then the days were split up by sexes with the filly and mares running on Friday and colts & geldings on Saturday. Throw in another race in 2011 to bring the total to 15 overall and change the name of the filly and mare dirt equivalent to the Classic, from the Distaff to "Ladies Classic" and you get ALL the makings of a championship that "jumped the shark."

Back in 1986; when I first played the championship, Capital OTB could only carry wagering on four of the seven races. Simulcast restrictions kept them from showing anymore. Once simulating regulations changed, more all the races were available. It was common knowledge that the event would be at a NYRA track on five year internals (1990, 1995, 2001 and 2005) but with the upheaval at NYRA the past decade, they were put out of the mix with being a site in the future. The other tracks beside Churchill Downs and Santa Anita were soon forgotten; Aqueduct only had it once in 1985, when Gulfstream was remodeled lost important seating, it was left out. Hollywood Park will close after this year and hasn't been there in years. Woodbine, Arlington Park, Lone Star Park & Monmouth were one shot deals. So we are left with only two sites from here on out.

To make things worst (in my opinion) the event will be held the next three straight years at Santa Anita Park. The modern Breeder's Cup World Championships is NOT what John Gaines envisioned over thirty years ago! Plus, too many races, do not always equal "championship" events. Two races for the Juveniles are enough, the filly sprint, marathon and dirt mile aren't really needed. But, most of all the original rotation of sites and tracks brought forward the sport to every racing venue. Don't get me wrong, I love the day...... just isn't as meaningful anymore, that's my opinion!