Did Frank Outsmart Himself?

[richiebee]

Interesting discussion with Ray Paulick, editor of the Bloodhorse, on www.attheracesandbeyond.com. Apparently Mr. Paulick wrote an editorial entitled \"Is That All There Is\" concerning a mediocre (his opinion) Gulfstream meet which he believed was hurt by a poor purse structure.

The commentators mentioned in passing that with the tinkering and downsizing and \"casinoization\" (I just invented a word) of GP, GP may no longer be suitable as a Breeders Cup venue. (Lots of climate issues also)

I\'d never thought of it that way. Frank would miss a chance to take 30 seconds of air time to welcome us all to his wonderful facility.

Hey look what the 07 Breeders Cup has done for Monmouth--they will be running most of their 06 turf races at the \"Ghettolands\" this summer.

[ezgoer89]

Only turf races during the month of June will be run at the Meadowlands, the remainder of the Monmouth meet (July through September) will have turf racing on their own course.  There is a new chute allowing for turf sprints up to 5 1/2 furlongs and I have personally spoken to people who have seen the course and claim it is absolutely beautiful.  If sacrificing a month of turf racing for a new pristine turf course that will be awesome for years to come is the price to pay, well, that\'s chump change.

Also, MTH is an historic landmark and there will be no radical rebuilding or demolition of the grandstand or clubhouse.  There is going to be refurbishment of areas that have not been used for a long time, mostly on the upper floors, and the picnic area will be turned into bleachers.  Hopefully, when the BC is completed, the picnic area will be revamped with new tables, fencing, and umbrellas.

[BitPlayer]

Richie -

I don\'t think Stronach is too concerned about hosting the Breeders Cup.  As I recall, Santa Anita was in line to host the BC shortly after Magna took over, but Magna opted out, citing conflicts with impending construction.  More generally, Stronach probably sees the BC as run by an old-boys club of which he\'s not a part.

As a business matter, if you\'re going to build a racing facility, it probably doesn\'t make sense to add a lot construction expense just to cash in on the BC every 5 years or so.  And given how poorly the Euros ran at Gulfstream when the BC was there, expecting to get the BC every 5 years might have been a bit optimistic.

[ezgoer89]

The Euros didn\'t run poorly at GP... that is a myth that somehow continues to perpetuate. Just like in 2003 when the BC was at SA on tight 7f turf course, an extra 3,000 miles of travel to the west coast, and a 100 degree afternoon. All the euros did was sweep the Filly & Mare Turf, take first and third in the Turf and win the Mile.

1989 TURF - 5 euro runners

Sierra Roberta 2nd @ 25-1
Star Lift 3rd @ 52-1
Behera 4th @ 7-2

1989 MILE - 4 euro runners

Most Welcome 3rd @ 93-1
Royal Touch 4th @ 39-1

1992 TURF - 4 euro runners

Dr. Devious 4th @ 9-1

1992 MILE - 3 euro runners

Brief Truce 3rd @ 8-1

1999 TURF - 3 euro runners

Daylami 1st @ 8-5

1999 MILE - 4 euro runners

Docksider 3rd @ 8-1
Lend A Hand 4th @ 13-1

10 of 23 starters hit superfecta at average odds of 25-1
1 of 6 races won

[BitPlayer]

EZ -

You may be right about the Euros at GP.  I confess to not having given it much thought in a while (probably since 1999).  And, as Richiebee points out, it\'s not likely to come up again soon.

I view California as a different case, because it\'s not as humid as Florida.