. . .this November is taking lessons from Pegasus World Cup and previous BC venues and probably does it one better. The word is out that the rich and famous are the only ones who will be able to afford tickets. Apparently putting up your first born child won’t get you close to a good view.
“This is not where the turf meets the serf.”
Very funny!
Attendance being capped at 37500 per day.
http://www.drf.com/news/breeders-cup-cap-del-mar-event-37500-each-day
It’s a worse idea than holding it at Keeneland. My home track is the Arlington…the second most beautiful racetrack in the country, in my opinion, after Santa Anita, of course…and I’ve been to most tracks in the States. Just keep it consistently at Santa Anita. People bitch and complain about lack of variety, but there are no other options. (I’d rather have it at Gulfstream, and I’m not a Gulfstream fan by any means!) Yet attendance still is super high at SA, and due to the capacity, they get almost triple the revenue from merchandise and food/alcohol, the weather is perfect, and it is still light out.
We all know the disaster of the tiny capacity of Keeneland, despite their extensions and add-ons. Though the news tried to put a positive spin on it, on social media people were NOT happy with the expensive chalets and ad-on pavilions. I know business and horses don’t go together, but, my god, this is getting ridiculous. Not even 40,000 people.
I had presale on Saturday…everything was sold out except a few box seats for $900 a person for one day (totaling around $3500 for a package) vs. 2014 and last year’s $150 (Fri) and $350 (Sat) a person in Section J or K Grandstand at mid-stretch at SA. The BC lady said that it was basically all sold out days ago even with my presale…so good luck to the general public. She said owners, horsemen, their entourage, people that have been to 8 consecutive BC/longtime BC attendees got priority 2-3 days before. (I’ve been to two. Could’ve gotten finish line Grandstand last minute seats for Keeneland at a super price, but I didn’t want to freeze and/or get rained on…and I’m from Wisconsin, so I know cold!)
DelMar isn’t a pretty track. Yes, the front façade and paddock is nice, but grandstand is average and the track view…you can see homes and apartment complexes. The infield is nothing to look at. And, yes, we know the ocean is close, but unless you are in the Goodyear blimp, you won’t be seeing “Where the Surf Meets the Turf.” Horrible idea.
And I think having it at Churchill for the record tying 8th time in 2017, where basically the last four races, and the crowning jewel…the Classic, are run in pitch-black, is utter nonsense. (This especially annoys me, as I’ve been credentialed media photographer for some big horse races.) How stupid! It’s freezing in November in KY and dark. Why do they insist on dumpy Churchill? That’s no scenic location, either. I almost feel like they should hold it at Arlington if it will be dark and cold…at least the facility, paddock, stands, and “infield” is fantastic and beautiful…though I know that will never happen.
(And for Gulfsteam, I could’ve gotten media credentials for the Pegasus, Fountain of Youth, Florida Derby, etc…but again, those races are run around 6:00 p.m. and, granted it’s warm and not pitch black like KY in November, but it still gets dark…and photos come out horrible, no matter the best lenses and camera body you can buy. It’s a waste.)
FWIW, I’d put Keeneland up with The Great Race Place in terms of a “pretty” track. 
I love Keeneland’s setting.
May not be the best for a large capacity event like BC true but for race setting I think it’s gorgeous.
SA’s hillside turf course is second to none. I remember the first time I was at that track and saw the horses race down that hill. It’s captivated me ever since. :o
We got tickets…probably will need binoculars to view the races but I have a seat.
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