Thomas Roulston
01-12-2019, 08:30 PM
Back in merry old England, there were what were known as the four "Quarter Days" upon which accounts etc. were settled. They were Annunciation or "Lady Day" (March 25), Midsummer's Eve, the day before the nativity of John the Baptist (June 24), Michaelmas, the feast day of St. Michael (September 29), and Christmas.
In Ireland, however, the Celtic "Cross-Quarter Days" were used instead: Candlemas (February 2), Beltane (May 1), Lammas Day (August 1), and Samhain (November 1, adapted by Christians as All Hallows' Day - the origin of Halloween on the day before).
Similarly, imagine a "Cross-Breeders' Cup," to be held six months before the Breeders' Cup. It could either be held the Friday and Saturday before the Derby, or the Friday and Saturday between the Derby and the Preakness. It would have the same races as the Breeders' Cup, except for the 2-year-old races, with each race carrying half the purse as the corresponding Breeders' Cup race. Each race would also be run at the same distance as the corresponding Breeders' Cup race, providing that is possible based on the layout of the track where the event were to be held.
Such an event would help establish the early favorites for the Breeders' Cup itself.
In Ireland, however, the Celtic "Cross-Quarter Days" were used instead: Candlemas (February 2), Beltane (May 1), Lammas Day (August 1), and Samhain (November 1, adapted by Christians as All Hallows' Day - the origin of Halloween on the day before).
Similarly, imagine a "Cross-Breeders' Cup," to be held six months before the Breeders' Cup. It could either be held the Friday and Saturday before the Derby, or the Friday and Saturday between the Derby and the Preakness. It would have the same races as the Breeders' Cup, except for the 2-year-old races, with each race carrying half the purse as the corresponding Breeders' Cup race. Each race would also be run at the same distance as the corresponding Breeders' Cup race, providing that is possible based on the layout of the track where the event were to be held.
Such an event would help establish the early favorites for the Breeders' Cup itself.