NTRA And Breeders' Cup Ltd. Hoping Everything Really Is Bigger In Texas

Lone Star Park is preparing to host the Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships tomorrow, marking only the third time in the event’s 21-year history that it will be held in a state other than New York, California, Florida or Kentucky. While Breeders’ Cup President D.G. Van Clief Jr. acknowledged “any new venue is going to be a test,” early returns are solid, as the track is sold out of 51,000 seats, as well as 71 luxury suites. But the lack of buzz is evident, as the event suffers from the hype around the World Series, a lack of star power (did someone say Smarty Jones?) and the fact that it is not being held in a major horse racing hub. Still, trainer Nick Zito is in the minority in his call to hold the event at a major track, as the sport realizes the need to expand its geographical reach. Meanwhile, NBC is planning some unique technological elements for its broadcast.

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