Breeder's Cup 2019

[46zilzal]

Originally Posted by GMB@BP

Probably on track to be the worst breeders cup ever? Looking at the fields compared to even a decade ago it feels like it.

They have DILUTED the fields by offering so many races...At the outset what were there about 7 races total? (two juveniles, sprint, mile, turf, classic, distaff)

This two day thing is just a ploy to suck up money. I recall in 1984 we paid about $15.00 per day for good seats.

[cj]

Originally Posted by 46zilzal

They have DILUTED the fields by offering so many races...At the outset what were there about 7 races total? (two juveniles, sprint, mile, turf, classic, distaff)

This two day thing is just a ploy to suck up money. I recall in 1984 we paid about $15.00 per day for good seats.

Yep, 7 was the original.

Juvenile
Juvenile Fillies
Sprint
Mile
Distaff
Turf
Classic

[groupie doll]

Originally Posted by cj

Still possible, but it would be the Classic as the connections feel he needs more distance.

Hmm. He might actually be better going turf to dirt than if they kept him on turf in either the Mile or Turf. 10F prob his best distance; in any other year but this (practically) I'd say he has no chance. This year... maybe.

[Afleet]

Originally Posted by GMB@BP

Probably on track to be the worst breeders cup ever? Looking at the fields compared to even a decade ago it feels like it.

I was thinking the same thing. I usually look forward to the BC (like all other horse players) but it doesn't seem like a big deal this year. KY Derby winner went into hiding. Probably the best 3 y/o, Omaha Beach, may not go in the Classic. Is Maximum Security even running in a BC race? Best dirt Euro, Thunder Snow, is out I believe. Best turf horse, Enable, not running but it is a quick turn around for her and she has nothing to prove so understandable.

As weak as the Classic is looking, you would think the Euros would be licking their chops and would enter a few horses.

[GMB@BP]

Originally Posted by Afleet

I was thinking the same thing. I usually look forward to the BC (like all other horse players) but it doesn't seem like a big deal this year. KY Derby winner went into hiding. Probably the best 3 y/o, Omaha Beach, may not go in the Classic. Is Maximum Security even running in a BC race? Best dirt Euro, Thunder Snow, is out I believe. Best turf horse, Enable, not running but it is a quick turn around for her and she has nothing to prove so understandable.

As weak as the Classic is looking, you would think the Euros would be licking their chops and would enter a few horses.

The Euro turf horses have a tremendous record at Santa Anita so I am surprised as well.

[taxicab]

This thread seems to be as good a place as any.
The one race that is giving me fits this year is the Juvy Turf Sprint.
I can't separate this bunch.......they all look the exact same to me.
I'm not sure if Alms out of the Matron is going......that might narrow it down a bit.
The bottom link from Bloodhorse is the Kentucky Downs Juvy Sprint.

YouTube (Short URL)

YouTube (Short URL)

YouTube (Short URL)

YouTube (Short URL)

https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...rf-sprint-s-bt

[castaway01]

While we all like watching great horses doing their thing, the lack of standouts this year should lead to the usual excellent betting opportunities that the Breeders Cup offers. It will still be a fun two days of racing even if it's watered down from 35 years ago (what isn't, really?).

[Fager Fan]

Originally Posted by castaway01

While we all like watching great horses doing their thing, the lack of standouts this year should lead to the usual excellent betting opportunities that the Breeders Cup offers. It will still be a fun two days of racing even if it's watered down from 35 years ago (what isn't, really?).

That’s what the BC cares about. More $. Not that it’s really a championship event.

[classhandicapper]

I don't mind the expansion into extra categories.

Racing in the US is moving towards more turf racing. So we might as well have a few more major stakes for turf horses to encourage owners, trainers, and breeder's to continue in that direction and foreigners to ship here.

We also often complain that horses don't have stamina anymore. Well, if we want breeder's to breed for stamina and owners to buy the horses, there has to be some kind of prize at the end of the rainbow. We need a few more marathon races with big purses. Then hopefully over time the quality will improve (even though the Marathon is not an official BC race).

IMO, the races that have had a negative impact are the Dirt Mile and Filly Sprint.

Both of those are legitimate categories of horses.

However

The Filly Sprint has diluted the main Sprint because elite filly sprinters that can compete very successfully against males now opt for the Filly Sprint.

The Dirt Mile has drawn some versatile sprinter/milers away from the sprint and quality 9F horses that are mildly suspect at 10F away from the Classic looking for a slightly softer spot.

So instead of getting 2 monster races, we are sometimes getting 4 very good races.

[groupie doll]

I agree on the dirt mile and FM sprint...both of those have diluted the Champ races, but the races I take more issue with are the 5 juvenile races.

With few exceptions most entered don't even have a CV established yet, let alone any sort of championship caliber. If we want to breed more for longevity, as I have read in some places, then these are misaligned with that goal, imo.

[Tom]

So instead of getting 2 monster races, we are sometimes getting 4 very good races.

....or 18 yawners.

[Redboard]

What scratched my head about the juvenile races is when, a few years ago, one of them was won by a maiden. That's just wrong! Like having a super bowl where one of the teams hasn't won a game yet.

[Robert Fischer]

Originally Posted by taxicab

This thread seems to be as good a place as any.
The one race that is giving me fits this year is the Juvy Turf Sprint.
I can't separate this bunch.......they all look the exact same to me.
I'm not sure if Alms out of the Matron is going......that might narrow it down a bit.

Kimari, Cambria, and Chimney Rock are three whom have triggered negative models, so I won't be using those three on top.

I'll have to 'cap the actual field to make more decisions. In general; from the videos you posted, Four Wheel Drive looks fine, and there's also a push towards looking to see what other quality forwardly-placed horses may be entered.

[Lemon Drop Husker]

Originally Posted by Redboard

What scratched my head about the juvenile races is when, a few years ago, one of them was won by a maiden. That's just wrong! Like having a super bowl where one of the teams hasn't won a game yet.

Good Magic may have been a Maiden in the Juvy, but he was a solid horse with as good a shot as any in the field. And proved it. The race would have been diluted if he wasn't in the field.

[Lemon Drop Husker]

Omaha Beach set for the BC Dirt Mile.


Exactly where I thought he'd land, but makes that race so so much better.