11/7/2003

Now we've heard it all!

In France exact post time is flexible, because sensibly track administrators want to make sure that everyone gets their money on and as few people as possible are shut out. Indeed at provincial tracks a man at the start won't raise a flag to signify that a race is about to start until he's given the go-ahead by the stewards. Hence the announcement 'Le drapeau est levee'.

This is just common sense. But, hearing that the Breeders' Cup organizers are blaming a downturn in this year's betting handle on the fact that the dead-heat photo between High Chaparral and Johar delayed the start of the Classic, is laughable! For the delay should and would have had the opposite effect....and boosted action

Unfortunately, though, it is sad, too. Because its just another sign of just pathetic things are and how little the people who run horse racing in North America really know about their sport.

Quel dommage!