Done with complaining about the Breeders’ Cup changes announced last month, a few of us decided to “put our money where our mouth is,” as Dana writes so well on Green But Game, and draft a petition requesting the BC rename the Ladies’ Classic, create a fan committee to provide feedback, and consider alternate BC schedules. We’re ready to not attend, watch, or wager unless we’re heard. Join us: Sign the petition to take back the race.
“Princess Rooney, Lady’s Secret, Personal Ensign, Bayakoa, Paseana, Hollywood Wildcat, Inside Information, Azeri, and Ashado” (DRF+).
3/3/08 Update: Breeders’ Cup officials have responded to the reaction the changes have stirred up — check out this Blood-Horse story for the company line, Left at the Gate for a more detailed explanation of the reasoning behind the moves from BC consultant Chip Tuttle and some very animated discussion in the comments section.
Superfecta takes a step back from the Breeders’ Cup brouhaha and comes up with some superb suggestions for improvements. I agree with her that a panel of fans, reflecting the racing audience’s true diversity, could help avoid uproars like this one. Surely such a group would have told the BC that Ladies’ Classic was a misguided, off-putting, unnecessary change.
Over on Brooklyn Backstretch, Teresa points out that “there’s a long tradition of poorly-named, sexist race names for female horses” and resolves to continue calling the big Breeders’ Cup race for fillies and mares the Distaff.
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