Innovative Ideas
After signing the petition for not having a Ladies Day on Breeders' Cup weekend I began thinking about things that would enhance our image and maybe bring us in some new fans - and keep the old ones.
First off - not alienating half of the planets human inhabitants would be wise. Women worked really hard to gain some recognition as being more than just breeders and cooks - a long time ago in fact. Remember that bra burning segment of American history? Remember Helen Reddy's "I Am Woman?" - Well that was done for a reason. When groups get together and plan days like Ladies Day - where they change the name of the Breeders' Cup Distaff to the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic - they ruin the history of a race and actually - it's not even right to call it a classic when it's not run at a classic distance.
When you move all the races for female Thoroughbreds to the day before the "big day" then you just said without even saying it "you're lesser than the boys, again, so you get your own day." Why not have a race where only female jockeys ride and make them where only bras and panties - and they can carry pink whips and have on stilettos instead of boots? Now were onto something.
Yes - I am being a smart ass but that is what Ladies Day comes across as to most women and some men (the ones that aren't afraid to be included with the opposite sex). Remember when the Breeders' Cup ruined the original set up and put all the "lesser" races first - moving the Juvenile to the race before the Turf - meaning two from the Classic? Well that didn't work for the viewing public either. It might have worked for a handful of men but not for the rest of us.
Here is what should happen - come up with a plan that does NOT alienate anyone. Obviously not everyone can be run at the same time and someone always has to be first - but in this day and age when we are trying to do everything we can to hold on to what we got, improve it and stop some of the bad press - you cannot think it wise to divide the sexes in this manner.
A friend of mine once said to me that after all the work women have done (and men) to show equality between the sexes having a race with only female jockeys sets us back. I agree. The Ladies Day card idea is a similar set back. Last year's Breeders' Cup card of Friday with the new races and Saturday with the original was a better idea. I'm sure they are trying to make the new races important to everyone - well with the purses - they are important ok?
Why not come up with ideas that actually make use want to NOT miss the entire weekend? Why not focus on a campaign that highlights the quality of runners that will show up for those two amazing days? As I watched Nashville Star (I'm a reality sucker - and an even bigger talent show sucker) I saw some great commercials for the 2008 Olympics - and they don't even know who will qualify in the Olympic trials, yet they are already reminding me when the event will be - and when the U.S. trials are to take place. Why not do some real campaigning for our sport - because it actually helps everyone.
What's wrong with some sponsorship? I doubt we'll seen Trojan Condoms or Massengill Douche plastered on the butt of a pair of jockey pants. What is crazy to me is - that the jockey is the biggest risk taker in the game. Don't tell me about your financial risk - you have the money with which to do it. I'm talking about the risk of life and limb. Things we as fans, owners, trainers, breeders, etc. don't risk in the game. Why shouldn't they make a little extra cash - and promote themselves? If I have to see one more NFL football player pushing Campbell's Soup (and seriously - you think they eat it?) why can't I see a Hooter logo on Kent's leg? In the grand scheme of things - this is how the world is moving. Just look at all the websites, daily newsletters, etc.? There is a lot of sponsorship going on there. Because it generates revenue for the originator and publicity for the sponsor.
Remember when we had sponsors for races? I know we still do - and I get real tired of seeing the name of a historic race destroyed by that of a not so flattering sponsor name - but if you ever look at a card of races at most tracks in England or Ireland - you will see sponsor names for even the maiden race on the card. Sponsors like Axminster Carpets and Manor Farm Meats. Yes, I know there are sponsors for every race at Keeneland - and their name may not be plastered anywhere but the racing program - but that's all you need. The use of the jockey's pants for some logos - is really not that big of a deal. It's not like you have to let them make it look like Tommy Lee's sleeved tattooed arms.
So - maybe SOMEONE out there with the power or authority or even the ear of someone that has such should get on the stick, brainstorm - and get some action going. Before it's time for the next possible Triple Crown winner - and I have to say all this again.
First off - not alienating half of the planets human inhabitants would be wise. Women worked really hard to gain some recognition as being more than just breeders and cooks - a long time ago in fact. Remember that bra burning segment of American history? Remember Helen Reddy's "I Am Woman?" - Well that was done for a reason. When groups get together and plan days like Ladies Day - where they change the name of the Breeders' Cup Distaff to the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic - they ruin the history of a race and actually - it's not even right to call it a classic when it's not run at a classic distance.
When you move all the races for female Thoroughbreds to the day before the "big day" then you just said without even saying it "you're lesser than the boys, again, so you get your own day." Why not have a race where only female jockeys ride and make them where only bras and panties - and they can carry pink whips and have on stilettos instead of boots? Now were onto something.
Yes - I am being a smart ass but that is what Ladies Day comes across as to most women and some men (the ones that aren't afraid to be included with the opposite sex). Remember when the Breeders' Cup ruined the original set up and put all the "lesser" races first - moving the Juvenile to the race before the Turf - meaning two from the Classic? Well that didn't work for the viewing public either. It might have worked for a handful of men but not for the rest of us.
Here is what should happen - come up with a plan that does NOT alienate anyone. Obviously not everyone can be run at the same time and someone always has to be first - but in this day and age when we are trying to do everything we can to hold on to what we got, improve it and stop some of the bad press - you cannot think it wise to divide the sexes in this manner.
A friend of mine once said to me that after all the work women have done (and men) to show equality between the sexes having a race with only female jockeys sets us back. I agree. The Ladies Day card idea is a similar set back. Last year's Breeders' Cup card of Friday with the new races and Saturday with the original was a better idea. I'm sure they are trying to make the new races important to everyone - well with the purses - they are important ok?
Why not come up with ideas that actually make use want to NOT miss the entire weekend? Why not focus on a campaign that highlights the quality of runners that will show up for those two amazing days? As I watched Nashville Star (I'm a reality sucker - and an even bigger talent show sucker) I saw some great commercials for the 2008 Olympics - and they don't even know who will qualify in the Olympic trials, yet they are already reminding me when the event will be - and when the U.S. trials are to take place. Why not do some real campaigning for our sport - because it actually helps everyone.
What's wrong with some sponsorship? I doubt we'll seen Trojan Condoms or Massengill Douche plastered on the butt of a pair of jockey pants. What is crazy to me is - that the jockey is the biggest risk taker in the game. Don't tell me about your financial risk - you have the money with which to do it. I'm talking about the risk of life and limb. Things we as fans, owners, trainers, breeders, etc. don't risk in the game. Why shouldn't they make a little extra cash - and promote themselves? If I have to see one more NFL football player pushing Campbell's Soup (and seriously - you think they eat it?) why can't I see a Hooter logo on Kent's leg? In the grand scheme of things - this is how the world is moving. Just look at all the websites, daily newsletters, etc.? There is a lot of sponsorship going on there. Because it generates revenue for the originator and publicity for the sponsor.
Remember when we had sponsors for races? I know we still do - and I get real tired of seeing the name of a historic race destroyed by that of a not so flattering sponsor name - but if you ever look at a card of races at most tracks in England or Ireland - you will see sponsor names for even the maiden race on the card. Sponsors like Axminster Carpets and Manor Farm Meats. Yes, I know there are sponsors for every race at Keeneland - and their name may not be plastered anywhere but the racing program - but that's all you need. The use of the jockey's pants for some logos - is really not that big of a deal. It's not like you have to let them make it look like Tommy Lee's sleeved tattooed arms.
So - maybe SOMEONE out there with the power or authority or even the ear of someone that has such should get on the stick, brainstorm - and get some action going. Before it's time for the next possible Triple Crown winner - and I have to say all this again.
Great blog! I signed the petition as well. Somehow I missed that memo of those changes back in February. Might have something to do with breeding season. But it's just ridiculous to think of moving those races to Friday.
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