Over the course of his career, thoroughbred trainer D. Wayne Lukas has enjoyed a ton of success in the Breeders' Cup. The annually anticipated event will be taking place over the next two days at Santa Anita in California
. In a recent interview, Lukas spoke openly on what he thinks about some of the logistics of the 2009 edition.
In addition to airing many other opinions, Lukas said in a San Gabriel Valley Tribune article that he questions the location of the event, the new two-day format of the proceedings, and some of the events in general.
"There is no pizazz to some of those races. Two-year-old fillies on the turf? Who the hell cares? Fillies sprinting on Polytrack? I mean, try to sell that," Lukas was quoted as saying. "But you can sell Zenyatta and you can sell the Derby winner; those are obvious things, and that's where television is interested. They couldn't care less about racing, top to bottom. The executives that sit over there in New York, they couldn't care less, in my opinion."
Lukas also said, "horse racing is not that great a television event, and when you go to two days and try to keep the casual audience over a two-day period, I think you are watering down the product to the point where you can't hold those people for five or six hours."
To read a Globe and Mail article outlining Canadian connections in the Breeders' Cup, click here.
Click here for complete information on the Breeders' Cup.
Click here to the read the San Gabriel Valley Tribune article in its entirety.
(With files from San Gabriel Valley Tribune)
I am guessing the "it"
I am guessing the "it" Murray refers to is what D Wayne Lukas thinks? Everyone is entitled to their personal opinion of any horse trainer.
I couldn't agree more with you Murray -- your opinion and mine doesn't mean a darn thing except in our respective areas of expertise. I feel the same way about Lukas.
I have reached my fill of hearing just about anyone's "opinions."
I'm looking for action.
The most optimistic action I've seen recently is Betfair's purchase of TVG.
Moira, Without absolutely
Moira,
Without absolutely any doubt, it has a lot more credibility than anything that Murray Brown or for that matter Moira Fanning thinks, says or matters.
Murray Brown
I have all the respect in
I have all the respect in the world for D. Wayne Lukas, but in this case I have to say that I do not agree with him. I have many friends that know absolutely nothing about horse racing, but after viewing the Cup broadcasts last year they were truly intrigued and looked to head to the track at some point for entertainment and wagering (even if their contributions wouldn't be spiking handle, that's for sure). The broadcasts were second to none. The quality of any type of racing is always up for debate (no matter what breed or stakes event is going on), but the extended exposure over the two days really didn't hurt, in my opinion. I think the two broadcasts gave the product a better chance of getting in front of more naive eyeballs. Everything in today's society is moving so fast -- one second it's there, the next it is not. In my opinion, the two days works out to better overall exposure for the game to the masses.
Not worth two cents -- probably not even one -- just an opinion.
Jeff.
Racing's problems are
Racing's problems are obvious and have been for years, and they have been elucidated, analyzed and outlined ad nauseum. At this crisis stage I am really not interested in the opinion of anyone who doesn't either a)gamble on horse racing or b)is a regular customer of racetracks or racetrack services. Lukas is a content provider [or was]. Racing doesn't care about television? Well to quote Bill O'Donnell, No Sh***t! That's news??
Let's see D. Wayne Lucas
Let's see D. Wayne Lucas most entries, most money won, most wins, most seconds, most thirds in the Breeders Cup. Along with that he is the only leading trainer not to be suspended. Naw his facts don't matter it's only others opinions that do!!
D Wayne Lukas has always
D Wayne Lukas has always mattered and always will. He speaks the truth and people don't want to hear it,and that is a fact! The attendance and handle at any track shows we're doing it WRONG. To believe racing is doing well is either foolish denial or blind obstinance.
Does what D. Wayne Lukas
Does what D. Wayne Lukas think matter to anyone anymore? Wait, does D. Wayne Lukas matter anymore?