Ladies Day

Jude T. Feld

Eclipse-award winning journalist Mary Jean Wall and her understudy, the charming and talented Alicia Wincze, who both cover the turf for the Lexington Herald-Leader, took their lunch hour at Keeneland on Thursday so they could watch Curlin’s victorious return to the racing wars at Nad al Sheba.

During the course of our conversation, the ladies revealed that they had been inundated with e-mails and letters from racing fans deploring the Breeders’ Cup’s decision to make the Friday of their two-day event, “Ladies Day.”

“I think it’s horrible,” Alicia said. “I don’t understand why they want to dilute an historic race like the Distaff by running it on Friday. I think back to Winning Colors and Personal Ensign…What if that race had been run on Friday?”

My arguments were many.

“Why not have two great days of racing?” I asked. “It’s not like people aren’t there. Most Breeders’ Cup goers head to the event as early as possible. Almost everybody that will be there Saturday is already there on Friday.

“Look at race meets in Europe. They are two or three day affairs for the most part. People love quality racing. Two days of great racing beat one day of great racing every time.

“And, the new races are a magnificent idea. Our sport needs to showcase horses in every division. In the past, owners and trainers were forced to fit a square peg in a round hole. Now, more horses can run to their strengths and not have to run in a race that doesn’t suit them because it is their only chance to win an Eclipse Award.”

“That certainly makes sense,” Mary Jean said.

I told Alicia I was surprised that she didn’t like the two-day event.

“I’m the altercocker here,” I said. “You’re young and should be in favor of the new innovations.”

“I’m a traditionalist,” she said.

“I am too. I hate colored saddle towels but I love great racing. The Breeders’ Cup at Monmouth was the best two days of racing all year. I looked like a wet noodle in the paddock, but I loved every minute of it.”

“It was great racing, even with the horrible weather.”

I don’t know if I persuaded the ladies to see things my way, but surely the Breeders’ Cup can if they present the event properly.

In The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran wrote:

“…the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.”

Kentucky Oaks (G1) Friday is basically Derby foreplay – a wonderful prelude to something spectacular on Saturday. In order for Breeders’ Cup Friday to be totally embraced by the fans, it must stand on its own, a separate but equal day of top-class racing.

The horses will give their full cooperation; the rest is up to the Breeders’ Cup.

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