According to NYRA president and CEO Charles Hayward, Churchill Downs will host the 2010 Breeders’ Cup. The event will be held at Santa Anita this year and in 2009 — the first time the Breeders’ Cup has been held consecutive years at one venue.
Hayward said he was told in April that Belmont Park would get the 2010 Breeders’ Cup, but then he received a call from the Breeders’ Cup folks in July and told that Churchill Downs will be the site. No comment from the Breeders’ Cup folks or Churchill officials. Needless to say, Hayward is not a happy camper.
I’m surprised that Churchill Downs wants the BC back. I lived in Louisville when the last BC was run (back in 2006) and all I read afterward was that CD lost $$$ on the event.
I really think CD needs to first rectify the ongoing dispute with the local horsemens group revolving around their % of the take. Purses were slashed during the Spring meet and will also see a big cut in purses for the upcoming Fall meet. CD has turned into a two-faced giant with Sexton running the show. Tom Meeker wasn’t well-liked, but at least he got the job done.
You’re right, and Churchill wasn’t interested in hosting another Breeders’ Cup for a while until all of a sudden they entered the 2009 sweepstakes at the last minute and tried to wrest it away from Santa Anita. There are still people in this industry who consider Kentucky breeding and racing as the ultimate. I’m not one of those people. I mean, the Kentucky Derby and all its history is something I respect a great deal, but as far as all the other stuff, well, let’s just say that contrary to what some people in Lousville think, there is quality racing around the rest of the country as well.