THE Official Breeders Crown Selections Thread!

[jordanjacob]

I hope everyone enjoyed last night and hope we can enjoy many more nights like that again in the future.

Let's hope they finally announce something, anything in Canada that keeps their sire stake program going and their purses at Woodbine and Mohawk at 50% or more of what they currently have.

Best wishes - JJ

[Dolfan]

  It should never be held at a place like that. Woodbine handled 4 million last night, and Pocono barely got to 2 mil 2 years ago. The Breeders crown should never be held on any track less than 7/8 or where they have ZERO handle.

That point I cannot argue. 

I just thought that the large majority of races were pretty lackluster last night.  You had all the great horses, many of the best drivers (who dominated) & yet virtually every race was down to 2 or 3 by headstretch, which resembles Northfield more than anything else.  With the exception of 2 races out of 12, if you didn't leave the gate you didn't win.  How often can you say that at any non-1/2 mile track?  In fact, you can't even see that on a 1/2 mile track filled with stakes races, except Delaware.

The races itself were horrendous, IMO.

You're surprised that the best horses - usually American - were driven by the American regulars? I guess I missed your point Dolfan. I think Filion, Jamieson and youngsters Zeron, McNair could easily drive with the Meds regulars. It's all what you have between the shafts, and the big horses went to the big drivers. Jamieson has proven he's one of the best and can hold his own against anyone. Filion has always been good but it's just more obvious now that's he finally out of Quebec. He would have had the drive (and win) on Intimidate but stuck with the the trainer that stayed with him all year and drove Prestigidator.

Did you watch Zeron win the Jug? Or Waples win the North American Cup? Anyone can cherry pick results on one card.

For the record great Canadian drivers in the history of the sport include - John Campbell, Joe O'Brien, Billy O'Donnell, Mike Lachance, Wally Hennessy, Herve Filion and many more. Yannick is Canadian as well. I'll put that bunch up against anyone... Canadians have dominated the Meadowlands since it opened.

1st off, you couldn't sell me on MacDonald & his 9% at YR or Randy Waples at any time.  Yes, I know they're great guys but they're no match for Sears, Tetrick, Yannick...  Does that mena they can never win?  Of course not.  Frank Popfinger & Russell Rash also won some races against Carmine & Herve...

I'm not picking on Canada.  I'm fully aware that many of the best horsemen are FROM Canada but my point that you are missing is their driving colony is inferior to the M1 driving colony of the last 20 years.  Everyone's is.  But don't tell me that because Scott Zeron or Mark MacDonald (who I know is a great guy) can get a fast horse out 1st or 2nd at Delaware & win, that they are real competitors with Brian Sears or Ron Pierce or George Brennan. 

I'm not "cherry picking".  The guys in the "top 5" are in the top 5 because they win these big races consistently. 

If I wanted to cherry pick I'd mention how Aracache got the services of George Brennan once & poof, set his lifetime mark.  But you're gonna try to tell me that Doug McNair is right up there with the best. 

[pezz97]

Every race was down to 3 at the head of the stretch simply because if you look at every race on the card( Besides the 3 year old colts) there were only 2 to 3 who could really win. It is just the way it was this year in all the divisions. Had nothing to do with it being at Woodbine.

[NIATROSS]

i agree pezz
imo it has been that way for yrs on breeders crown nights. you can virtually toss at least 1/2 to 3/4 of any field because they have no real shot of winning.i also think it keeps the handle down.
to the real fans it is a treat to see the best of the best face each other and settle things on the track

i am also with jordan and hoping for the best in canada
i may despise the 7/8th tracks but it would be a big blow to the sport if they go down

[dinkadoo]

Every race was down to 3 at the head of the stretch simply because if you look at every race on the card( Besides the 3 year old colts) there were only 2 to 3 who could really win. It is just the way it was this year in all the divisions. Had nothing to do with it being at Woodbine.

Like the KY derby, most are there to say they were there.
But its horse racing, and post positions and trips make a difference on who rounds out the the gimmicks.

[Dolfan]

So you guys are saying the Breeders Crown races just suck, in general.

I guess you can make that point.  A chalk fest every year?  Is this any different from Jug day?

Hambo cards always seem to come up with a few logical price horses & a few zany ones too.

I'm going to keep this discussion in mind when we watch the BC at Pcd next year just to see if the races are any better.

[scojer]

I think they should have ALL racing on 1/2 mile tracks..

[Gazoo]

I think they should have ALL racing on 1/2 mile tracks..

That would be a good way to kill the sport

[Dolfan]

That would be a good way to kill the sport

Actually, I've always been of the opinion that big track racing has had allot to do with the killing of the sport.  You can look at it as just another way to gamble (which is a loser) or like my experience, it was a sport I fell in love with watching the action up close at RR & YR as a teenager.  I would NEVER have taken an interest watching big tracks, where the tv has the only real view.

1/2 mile tracks also have a smaller nut to meet, all around.  And probably the 2 most historic tracks - Goshen & Delaware.  But of course today's "great" trainers - aka/anyone with a "smart" vet - do not know how to train the fastest horses to get those turns.  Because, after all, the breed must be so different than when Albatross, Bret Hanover, Niatross & Cam Fella flew around those 1/2 mile tracks.

Nfld gets a pretty good handle despite pathetic racing with pathetic drivers.

IMO they should take all those bigger tracks & turn them into golf courses! 

[beans and weenies]

    sorry I have to laugh....... I have to agree with Dolfan  which I rarely do    never met the man and don't have a thing against him..... just rarely seem to see things the way he sees them.    

[Gazoo]

Nfld gets a pretty good handle despite pathetic racing with pathetic drivers.

So you going to credit Northfields handle to it being a 1/2 mile track ?   

[The Giss]

   sorry I have to laugh....... I have to agree with Dolfan  which I rarely do    never met the man and don't have a thing against him..... just rarely seem to see things the way he sees them.   

I met him for the first time at The Jugette/Jug this year. The man knows the game.

[pezz97]

If Harness racing went to only half mile racing,  I would just  bet the T-breds then. 1/2 mile racing sucks. Michael's Power turned out to be a good one didn't he???

[Just Saying]

I have the kind of mind that likes puzzles, so 1/2 mile tracks intrigue me. There are so many variables. (post position, track condition, gate speed, driver, type of trip the horse likes, etc, etc.) The cat & mouse game on a small track interests me more.

That being said, I found it way easier to drive on a bigger track, even though I won more races on a half miler. Everybody has their own preferences.

[LVGaryD]

My position is well known. I love a half with no passing lane. I also love a 5/8 with no passing lane. If racing on a mile track is mandatory, you might as well have a passing lane because everyone drifts off the rail so far anyway.

And I really wish ALL horses raced two heats each time they raced on a half. Call me old school if you want, but that is harness racing, laddies.