Breeders' Cup 2001


When you hear these words, World Thoroughbred Championships, what do you think of? Yep, a series of stakes held overseas.

That's why I believe the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Breeders' Cup Ltd. made a grave mistake changing the name it took 17 years to build up -- the Breeders' Cup.

The change was designed to improve public awareness, both parties say. OK, why not the Breeders'Cup Championships. I'll bet not many people other than racing fans care about the $13 million, eight-race championship day. But some of my relatives and friends who don't value racing as a necessary part of their lives know the name Breeders' Cup.

"When the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships are held Oct. 27 at Belmont Park, it will represent the single best day of thoroughbred racing anywhere in the world for the year,"NTRA Commissioner Tim Smith said when the change was announced months ago.

You notice he lumped the BC in with the WTC. I believe it'll have to be known as the BCWTC, but spelled out so it won't be confused with a new wrestling organization.

"We believe the steps being announced will help communicate that positioning more powerfully, while helping fans follow more easily the top races and divisional competition that lead up to the Breeders' Cup each year," Smith added.

There, he said it alone this time: Breeders' Cup.

I do like the idea of the joint campaign with ESPN to boost awareness with the "Road to the World Thoroughbred Championships" aimed at increasing viewers en route to that great racing afternoon. And I’m all for the alliance with the Emirates World Series, which is held overseas, to telecast selected international races for outstanding older horses.

I recently saw an explanation that this move will make horse racing easier to follow:"The World Thoroughbred Championships focuses on our sport's top events-graded stakes to show fans the sequence of races that horses enter in pursuit of divisional championships. Using everyday sports information like polls, point standings, statistics and series schedules, fans can follow the competition in this group of elite races."

Balderdash!

That's what turns off potential fans. They don't want to be bothered with a bunch of figures and data. Many neophytes bet names and numbers because sifting through past performances and complicated formulas is too complicated.

BC may be just what NTRA and BCL officials will need if their WTC plan doesn't do the trick. I'm talking about the headache powder.
The copyright of the article Breeders' Cup 2001 in Horse Racing is owned by Greg Melikov. Permission to republish Breeders' Cup 2001 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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