To Which We Say “Thank You!”
Much to the delight of this horseplayer, the Breeders’ Cup announced today that it’s finally adopting the standard saddle cloths! Anyone who’s read this blog for any length of time knows that this is an issue I’ve been whining about discussing for quite some time. So a hearty “Thank You” to Breeders’ Cup for listening to fan feedback and taking action!
The Breeders’ Cup made its decision to switch to the standard colored system following discussions with its Fan Advisory Council and with horseplayers across the U.S. and Canada and as part of the long-range planning being undertaken by the organization.
A big thanks also goes out to all who signed the Take Back the Race Petition last year. Because of the petition a few of us were lucky enough to be some of the horseplayers to meet with the Breeders’ Cup face to face to discuss many issues effecting fans.
Point 2 of the Take Back the Race Petition stated:
Create a fan committee representing the diversity of the racing audience to provide ideas and feedback on proposed changes and marketing plans to the Breeders’ Cup
The Fan Advisory Council, which they mention in the press release, is just that. I’m lucky enough to be a member along with Patrick of TBA/Handride, Ernie of TRNY, some HANA members and a wide cross section of fans and players. No doubt there are more changes that we’d all like to see, but the changes have started and there’s a mechanism for feedback and dialog.
It’s nice to have something to be cheerful about, especially in combination with some of the other recent unexpected good news. As Swifty is fond of saying, who deserves it more than us?
Posted by dana on Aug 11 2009
Filed Under: Industry, 2009, HANA, Take Back the Race, :), Fans, Breeders' Cup, Sarah K. Andrew, Racing
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This is great. I know it is tradition to follow silks, but the modern racing fan is not conditioned to do so. One of the great things about the sport is how colorful it is. Nice to know the colors will be in abundance this year. Thanks for all the work you do.
Green but Game wrote:
…profoundly player unfriendly.
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I was thinking whatta doll !! :-)
Then I got to the part about Trakus.
I’m of the belief that every bit of technology helps, especially the novice watcher at home. I would not dismiss the Trakus chiclets on screen as an aid the race viewer. It can be placed discreetly on the bottom of the screen.
Equally important is the need for accurate measurements of time and distance travelled during the race by the competitors.
Imagine the Olympics not timing their races without modern day precision. That’s how backwards horse racing still is !
TRAKUS promotes the precision creates credibility that World Class Thoroughbred Racing deserves.
NB - I was only one small voice in many, many, many, many.
TKS - I don’t doubt that it can help, it’s just distracting. I definitely think Trakus should be used to collect and provide data, my beef is that it’s too easy just watch the chicklets and miss the actual horses. My recommendation would be to leave the chicklets off live races and include them on replays… or in year 2000 we would be able to request them or not on an individual basis.
Green but Game wrote:
…my beef is that it’s too easy just watch the chicklets
and miss the actual horses. My recommendation would be
to leave the chicklets off live races and include them on replays…
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That sounds like a reasonable alternative - chiclets on replays.
If the fans want more than that (during live racing) , the Fans’ Advisory committee should push that also.
Slow and steady. We’re making some progress.
BTW: did you vote in the “Saddlecloth poll” at my blog?
Just voted, interesting results!