I believe there used to be a commercial that said; "you've come a long way baby". That could apply to the Breeder's Cup World Championship races. Created in 1984, this year marks the 27th edition of thoroughbred racing's greatest day. For many years, the day consisted of seven grade I races at different racetracks across the country. Though the years, we've seen many great thoroughbreds win on this championship day. But like many things today, the traditions of the past change and evolve throughout the years.
It also mark's my 25th anniversary of playing these championship races. Back in 1986, there were seven races at Santa Anita Park and at Capital OTB, we were only able to wager on four of the races because of simulcast restrictions at the time. Back then the concept was new and exciting. But, as the year's have moved on, the races have increased, the event has become two days and the race sites have decreased. The Breeder's Cup of today is nothing like what was presented back in 1984.
This year the Breeder's Cup World Championships are now 15 races more than doubling since the first year. The increase of races also has made the cup a two day event. But, the day of championships has been held at only two venues the past four years. This is a trend that many have been questioning and raises the answer whether the Breeder's Cup is losing it's luster for it was really created all those years ago.
Almost every category in racing is covered by the 15 races. With just two races for the two year old runners at one time, it has now increased to five and covering dirt, turf for both sexes and this year a sprint race. The number of pre-entries was a record this year and with the amount of races, also comes many horses that are crossed entered in different events. What once was a chosen few group of horses for seven races, has become a huge event for anybody who nominates their runners to the cup.
It's has made the "event" into a wagering smorgasbord with a lot of ways to stretch your wagering dollar. It's become a nine race daily card of the stars, but does it really show the "true" champions of the sport with so many options. I can live with all the races and with 25 years experience in wagering strategy, I know where and when to pick my spots. The thing that really bothers me though is the lack of racing venues that the Breeder's Cup appears at in recent times. I am sorry, but just racing at Santa Anita and Churchill Downs just doesn't cut in for me.
The event was made to showcase the best horses in a calendar year. Of course there are many different categories and also many different racetracks. But, all the "powers to be" focus on are two, when in year's past the event was spread all across the country. They raced in New York at Belmont and Aqueduct in 1985. Racing came from Gulfstream on several occasions. Even tracks like; Arlington , Monmouth Park , Lone Star Park and Woodbine had a shot to host the event. But, the last few years have ONLY focused on the west coast (Santa Anita) and Churchill Downs where the event will be held this year for the third time in five years. It's time to get back to the revolving host racetracks like the past, to generate interest other than these two spots.
I will be playing next weekend the 15 championship races because I love the sport. It's my opinion in the long term that the Breeder's Cup World Championships should hold the line at 15 races and start getting back to the various different tracks throughout the country. Watering down the sport's biggest day should'nt be done by the people in charge of bring new fans into the sport. So, let's stop with all the races and showcase all the "other" great racetracks throughout the country.
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