The whole thing... (except championship day) doesn't look good for the industry... 

http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/48414.htm>

Breeders' Cup Suspends Stakes Program

by Lenny Shulman
Date Posted: December 12, 2008
Last Updated: December 12, 2008

Breeders Cup officials have decided to suspend the entire Breeders Cup stakes program for 2009, according to a memo sent to racing secretaries, stakes coordinators, and officials Dec. 11.

The memo, from Breeders Cup senior vice president of operations Pam Blatz-Murff, said that the organization was projecting a reduction in overall Breeders Cup revenues of more than $10 million next year due to the global economic downturn and a likely shortfall in nominations revenue. It goes on to state that in order to maintain the Breeders Cup Championship purses at their current level of $25.5 million, television and marketing spending will be slashed by more than $5 million. In the last two years, the Championships have expanded from one day to two, and from eight races to 14.

Previously, according to the memo, the Breeders Cup had committed to allocating funds for 2009 races, but now those allocations are suspended.

"Even with the difficult economic circumstances, the board was committed to holding the line on Championship purses," said Breeders' Cup president and CEO Greg Avioli in a release. "While the financial results for the 2008 Championships were solid, the combination of the economy and its effects on the sales and breeding segments of our business provides a challenging environment, and we've had to take steps to ensure that we emerge positively from the current atmoshpere."

Breeders' Cup also announced it was reducing the horse of racing age fees by 33%, from $150,000 to $100,000 for horses that were not nominated to the program as foals, and from $250,000 to $200,000 for horses whose sires were not nominated. Breeders' Cup will discontinue the separate supplemental nominations program whereby non-nominated horses could enter a particular Championship race by paying between 9% and 15% of the purse.

The Breeders' Cup board also authorized a return to the 3% entry fees for Championship races that were in place until 2005.

Wonder if the BREEDERS CONTEST will be 'up' at 'their' site this coming year...

Does nobody here realize what this means? John Gaines is surely turning over in his grave right now.......his vision of what the Breeders Cup should mean is getting crapped on!

The hubris of the Breeders Cup organization in making this move is beyond unspeakable. Have they actually forgotton where all their millions of dollars come from? It comes from owners and breeders from the mighty to the meek, from the $200K stud fee to the $500 foal nomination. At the bottom of the catalog page of every horse that goes through any sale is the notation "Breeders Cup Eligible". That doesn't just mean that you get to run in the Breeders Cup if your purchase proves good enough. It also means that you get a chance to earn supplemental purse value in designated races throughout the year......and those supplements to purses is just what they've taken away!

I'm taking the liberty of copying here a post from Steve Byk over at derbytrail.com. Thank you Steve for your effort in putting this together:

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"Below find the list of 2008 BC Stakes Program Races... The last 2 dollar figures on each line represents a.) the BC program contribution and b.) the total purse of the event.

NOTE: This announcement, which of course set a new low for the morally corrupt BCL, is also the perfect representation of their disregard for the rest of racing. They gave ZERO consideration to the work of the American Graded Stakes Committee who just 2 weeks ago announced their changes AND an increase in the minimum purse levels for Gr. I's ($300,000). With Gr. II's needing to be $150,000 and Gr. III's $100,000, many of these races are now in jeopardy of not meeting those minimums without the tracks having to produce the shortfall AT THE VERY MOMENT WHEN REVENUES ARE DOWN AND THE BC MONEY MEANT THE MOST... Santa Anita for instance will now need to add $50,000 to the purse of the upcoming San Fernando to get it to the Gr. II minimum $150,000 after the BC stripped away $100,000 of the $200,000 pot.

If the Breeders' Cup had an ounce of concern for the game's well being, you would think they would have taken this into consideration before simply yanking the $5,000,000 out from under these 100 races. But they don't.


Date-Closed-Noms-Event-Location-BC Supp-Purse

Jan 12 Jan 3 23 San Fernando S.(Gr. II) Santa Anita Park $100k $200k *

Feb 9 Jan 26 30 Fair Grounds H.(Gr. III) Fair Grounds $50k $150k
Feb 16 Feb 2 39 Endeavour S.(Gr. III) Tampa Bay Downs $50k $150k
Feb 16 Feb 6 28 Barbara Fritchie H.(Gr. II) Laurel Park $75k $300k
Feb 18 Feb 6 27 General George H.(Gr. II) Laurel Park $75k $300k
Feb 23 Feb 9 15 Bayou H. Fair Grounds Race Course $50k $150k
Feb 23 Feb 9 34 Tampa Bay S. Tampa Bay Downs $50k $150k
Feb 23 Feb 13 27 Gulfstream Park Turf(Gr. I) Gulfstream Park $100k $350k *

Mar 8 Feb 23 18 Duncan F. Kenner S. Fair Grounds Race Course $50k $150k
Mar 8 Feb 23 33 Gotham S.(Gr. III) Aqueduct $50k $250k
Mar 8 Feb 29 28 Razorback H.(Gr. III) Oaklawn Park $50k $150k
Mar 8 Feb 28 14 Richter Scale H.(Gr. II) Gulfstream Park $50k $200k
Mar 9 Feb 29 22 Azeri H.(Gr. III) Oaklawn Park $75k $175k
Mar 16 Mar 8 10 Harry W. Henson H. Sunland Park $50k $150k
Mar 22 Mar 8 19 Distaff H.(Gr. II) Aqueduct $50k $150k *
Mar 22 Mar 12 Shirley Jones H.(Gr. II) Gulfstream Park $50k $200k
Mar 22 Mar 12 Bourbonette S.(Gr. III) Turfway Park $75k $150k *

Apr 5 Mar 26 75 John Connally Turf H.(Gr. III) Sam Houston $50k $200k
Apr 5 Mar 22 Excelsior H.(Gr. III) Aqueduct $100k $200k
Apr 5 Mar 27 11 Potrero Grande H.(Gr. II) Santa Anita Park $100k $200k *
Apr 12 Apr 2 Commonwealth S.(Gr. II) Keeneland $100k $400k
Apr 19 Apr 10 25 The Jim McKay Stakes Pimlico Race Course $25k $50k
Apr 19 Apr 5 Bed o'Roses H.(Gr. II) Aqueduct $50k $150k *
Apr 26 Apr 17 Bay Meadows H. Bay Meadows $50k $125k
Apr 26 Apr 16 Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint H. Calder Race Course $50k $250k

May 1 Apr 9 50 Kentucky S.(Gr. III) Churchill Downs $50k $150k
May 2 Apr 9 24 Louisville S.(Gr. II) Churchill Downs $100k $300k
May 3 Apr 19 Nassau County S.(Gr. III) Belmont Park $100k $200k
May 16 May 5 25 Black-Eyed Susan S.(Gr. II) Pimlico $50k $200k
May 26 Feb 29 38 Gamely S.(Gr. I) Hollywood Park $50k $273.2k *
May 26 Feb 29 46 Shoemaker Mile(Gr. I) Hollywood Park $50k $274.8k *
May 31 May 21 Milady H.(Gr. II) Hollywood Park $50k $175k *

Jun 2 May 17 17 Aristides S.(Gr. III) Churchill Downs $25k $125k
Jun 6 May 24 20 Brooklyn H.(Gr. II) Belmont Park $50k $200k
Jun 7 May 28 15 Honeymoon H.(Gr. II) Hollywood Park $50k $175k *
Jun 7 May 24 18 Woody Stephens S.(Gr. II) Belmont Park $50k $250k
Jun 8 May 28 16 Hollywood Oaks(Gr. II) Hollywood Park $50k $150k *
Jun 14 May 31 26 Northern Dancer S.(Gr. III) Churchill Downs $25k $175k
Jun 14 Jun 2 18 Susan's Girl S. Delaware Park $25k $175k
Jun 14 May 31 12 The Leave Me Alone Stakes Calder $50k $100k
Jun 14 May 31 9 Unbridled Stakes Calder Race Course $50k $100k
Jun 15 May 31 43 Jaipur H.(Gr. III) Belmont Park $50k $150k
Jun 21 May 28 56 All Along S.(Gr. III) Colonial Downs $50k $200k
Jun 21 Jun 11 12 Cinema H.(Gr. III) Hollywood Park $50k $150k
Jun 21 May 31 22 New York H.(Gr. II) Belmont Park $100k $250k 1
Jun 28 Jun 19 14 Alysheba S. Lone Star Park $25k $75k
Jun 28 Jun 17 26 Iowa Distaff S. Prairie Meadows $25k $125k
Jun 28 Jun 18 23 Chicago H.(Gr. III) Arlington Park $50k $150k
Jun 28 Jun 11 25 King Edward S.(Gr. II) Woodbine $50k $300k
Jun 28 Jun 17 34 PrM Cornhusker H.(Gr. II) Prairie Meadows $50k $300k

Jul 4 Jun 21 35 Firecracker H.(Gr. II) Churchill Downs $25k $200k
Jul 4 Jun 21 18 Jersey Shore S.(Gr. III) Monmouth Park $25k $150k
Jul 4 Jun 25 16 Stars and Stripes Turf H.(Gr. III) Arlington Park $50k $175k
Jul 4 Jun 21 18 Tom Fool H.(Gr. II) Belmont Park $50k $200k
Jul 5 Jun 21 19 Prioress S.(Gr. I) Belmont Park $50k $250k *
Jul 6 Jun 21 31 Dwyer S.(Gr. II) Belmont Park $50k $200k
Jul 12 Jun 28 27 Long Branch S. Monmouth Park $25k $150k
Jul 12 Jun 28 21 Dick Memorial S.(Gr. III) Delaware Park $50k $300k
Jul 12 Jul 2 11 Swaps S.(Gr. II) Hollywood Park $100k $350k
Jul 13 Jul 2 10 Sunset H.(Gr. II) Hollywood Park $50k $150k *
Jul 19 Jul 5 27 Hallowed Dreams S. Louisiana Downs $25k $75k
Jul 19 Jul 5 16 Greenwood Cup S. Philadelphia Park $50k $200k
Jul 26 Jul 17 21 Silver Spur S. Lone Star Park $25k $75k
Jul 26 Jul 16 22 Sea O'Erin Mile H. Arlington Park $50k $150k
Jul 27 Jul 17 22 Middleground S. Lone Star Park $25k $75k
Jul 27 Jul 19 7 Mt. Rainier H. Emerald Downs $25k $75k

Aug 2 Jul 21 14 Arneault Memorial S. Mountaineer Park $25k $110k
Aug 2 Jul 21 15 The WV Senate President's S. Mountaineer Park $25k $110k
Aug 2 Jul 19 25 Lady Canterbury S. Canterbury Park $50k $100k
Aug 4 Jul 19 26 Hall of Fame S.(Gr. II) Saratoga $50k $150k *
Aug 9 Jul 26 16 Monmouth Oaks(Gr. III) Monmouth Park $50k $150k
Aug 16 Aug 2 18 Super Derby Prelude Louisiana Downs $50k
Aug 16 Aug 2 17 Philip H. Iselin S.(Gr. III) Monmouth Park $100k $300k
Aug 17 Aug 3 25 Lonacres Mile H. Emerald Downs $50k $300k
Aug 17 Aug 3 13 Emerald Distaff Emerald Downs $25k $100k
Aug 23 Aug 9 27 Ellis Park Turf S. Ellis Park $50k $100k
Aug 24 Aug 14 14 Pat O'Brien H. Del Mar $125k $300k
Aug 24 Aug 14 8 Del Mar Mile H. Del Mar $100k $400k
Aug 24 Aug 9 19 Ballerina S. (Gr. I) Saratoga $100k $250k *
Aug 24 Aug 10 17 Molly Pitcher S.(Gr. II) Monmouth Park $100k $300k
Aug 30 Aug 16 21 The Kent S.(Gr. III) Delaware Park $100k $500k

Sep 1 Aug 22 E. J. DeBartolo Sr. Memorial H. Remington Park $50k $150k
Sep 6 Aug 27 Arlington-Washington Lassie(Gr. III) Arlington Park $50k $150k
Sep 6 Aug 23 23 Garden City S.(Gr. I) Belmont Park $50k $250k *
Sep 7 Aug 20 26 Northern Dancer Turf(Gr. II) Woodbine $100k $750k
Sep 13 Sep 3 Arl-Washington Futurity(Gr. III) Arlington Park $50k $200k
Sep 21 Sep 11 13 British Columbia Oaks(Gr. III) Hastings $25k 127.6k
Sep 21 Sep 11 13 Matron S. Assiniboia Downs $25k $75k
Sep 21 Sep 14 Premiere H. Zia Park Race Track $50k $150k
Sep 22 Sep 12 8 Gold S. Assiniboia Downs $25k $75k
Sep 27 Sep 18 14 Ancient Title S.(Gr. I) Oak Tree Racing Association $50k $250k *
Sep 27 Sep 18 12 Brave Raj S. Calder Race Course $37.5k $150k
Sep 27 Sep 18 13 Goodwood S. Oak Tree Racing Association $100k $500k
Sep 27 Sep 18 11 Foolish Pleasure S. Calder Race Course $37.5k $150k
Sep 27 Sep 18 4 Lady's Secret S. Oak Tree Racing Association $75k $250k
Sep 27 Sep 18 14 Oak Leaf S. Oak Tree Racing Association $50k $250k
Sep 27 Sep 20 16 All American Handicap(Gr. III) Golden Gate Fields $50k 150k
Sep 28 Sep 18 14 Norfolk S. Oak Tree Racing Association $50k $250k
Sep 28 Sep 13 23 Kelso H.(Gr. II) Belmont Park $100k $250k

Oct 1 Sep 13 27 Miss Grillo S. Belmont Park $50k $150k
Oct 1 Sep 13 17 Pilgrim S. Belmont Park $50k $100k
Oct 4 Sep 20 25 Jamaica H.(Gr. II) Belmont Park $100k $250k
Oct 4 Sep 24 30 Phoenix S. (Gr. III) Keeneland $100k $150k *
Oct 5 Sep 17 21 Grey S.(Gr. III) Woodbine $50k $250k
Oct 5 Sep 20 25 Jerome H.(Gr. II) Belmont Park $50k $150k *
Oct 5 Sep 17 29 Mazarine S.(Gr. III) Woodbine $50k $250k
Oct 11 Oct 1 10 Ballerina S.(Gr. III) Hastings Race Course $25k $125k

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How can they do this......when the very funds they're withholding are the very funds they have strong-armed from those participants, big and small, who voluntarily opted into the program to begin with!

I thought Breeders Cup was insane for charging $500 for a seat.......now they've gone over the river!

God love you, and rest in peace, John Gaines. You really did have the right idea.

But you're not here anymore and, well..........

I had the pleasure of visiting Gainesway twice in the early '80's and running into Mr Gaines once. Memorable. I hate what has happened to the Breeders Cup program recently,not at all what the founders had hoped for. For someone like me who has worked in the industry,supported the game at the windows and through ownership and breeding it seems like the heights of the sport are in my rear view mirror. Sad.
Hooper

An old Ray Paulick piece from the Blood-Horse Feb. 2005

Best comment I ever heard about John Gaines was from Lexingtonian Arnold Kirkpatrick, who said Gaines was "smarter than a tree full of owls."
But intelligence and an ability to see things others could not were only part of the Gaines persona. He was fiercely independent, principled, and courageous.

Employing all of those traits, he was a leader. His death Feb. 11 at the age of 76 begs the question: Will anyone step up to fill this enormous void?

John Sikura of Hill 'n' Dale Farms said Gaines' ideas were "light years ahead of his contemporaries." As a transplanted Canadian operating in the Bluegrass State, Sikura also paid homage to Gaines for breaking through a barrier that made it difficult for anyone other than a handful of farms to recruit a top stallion prospect. Gaines did so with the $1-million syndication of Gun Bow in 1964, giving Gainesway Farm a marquee horse.

"He was an outsider when outsiders couldn't survive," Sikura said. "He competed successfully against pillars of the industry at a time when there were no outside competitors." By doing so, Sikura said, Gaines paved the way for a new generation of stallion entrepreneurs.

In 1965, Gaines addressed the Thoroughbred Club of America on the subject of urban expansion and its encroachment on the horse industry in Lexington. "The approximately 250 horse farms in Central Kentucky support a whole host of specialized businesses that serve the needs of the horse farms," he said. "However, the most important benefit that the horse farms provide for the community is roughly equivalent to whatever the value of a large state or even national park is to an area. At one farm, last year alone, over 50,000 tourists actually signed the guest register and there may have been almost as many more who just came and looked around."

Five years later, in 1970, Gaines was the driving force behind the creation of the Kentucky Horse Park. He said he hoped it would explain how the horse industry's taxes "build municipal buildings, schools, and roads...(The park) can do a great deal toward explaining that everyone has a stake in racing."

Both quotes demonstrate the awareness of Gaines that the general public did not understand the significance of the horse industry. The Breeders' Cup, the innovation for which he will be most remembered, was designed to give the sport the year-end championship it was lacking, thereby raising that awareness.

His vision for the actual event succeeded, though by the mid-1990s the Breeders' Cup stirred little interest among the general public, as measured by television ratings. Gaines was getting restless.

He turned his attention to a concept brought to him by Lexington advertising executive Fred Pope that would put racehorse owners in control of the sport. The venture, known as the National Thoroughbred Association, attracted support from many powerful owners, but Gaines was convinced by others to merge the NTA into a new organization that would have equal representation from racetracks. That was how the National Thoroughbred Racing Association came into existence.

Gaines was acerbic in his criticism of some Thoroughbred industry leaders whom he referred to as the "self-appointed guardians of the Turf." He chided the industry for being stingy with marketing dollars, saying that the "Putt-Putt Golfing Association spends more money on advertising than the $25 billion racing and breeding industry."

He believed, as NTRA commissioner D.G. Van Clief Jr. said, "in the power of ideas"--more than anyone the horse industry has ever known.

It is a measure of the man that his shoes will be difficult, if not impossible, to fill.