ACRS: Who knew?

Tweet I was perusing a post on television coverage (or lack thereof) of the Woodward by Evan Hammonds of the Bloodhorse and came across a comment on his post discussing something called ACRS. Now us nerdy accountant types would first think of the Accelerated Cost Recovery System, a depreciation method made famous (note sarcasm) by the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (year two of my bean counting career...oh the memories). What the commenter was referring to was the American Championship Racing Series, a brainchild of Thoroughbred Daily News' Barry Weisbord that ran for three years in the early nineties. Now, please remember that I was building a business, makin' babies and absorbed by the Bills' wonder years during this time frame so I had no idea that this ACRS racing series even existed. After further review, I found an interesting post on ESPN by Mr. Paulick just this past July that included the following excerpts:


"Stop me if you've heard this one before: racing needs to put together a series of races that serves as a prelude to the year-end championship events, something that will increase interest in the sport among serious and casual fans, especially during the time between the Triple Crown in spring and Breeders' Cup in fall."

"Enter Barry Weisbord and the American Championship Racing Series. The ACRS was designed to showcase the Breeders' Cup Classic division horses, using point standings and bonuses to encourage the horses to run in a series of races that began at Gulfstream Park in winter and ended at Del Mar in August. Concessions from horsemen and tracks from simulcast revenue helped pay for the televised series and the marketing that accompanied it.


But the ACRS only lasted three years, from 1991-93, a victim of internal industry squabbling, the type that has plagued horse racing for years. Weisbord had hoped to expand the series into additional divisions but never had the chance."


Does it shock anyone that the words "internal industry squabbling" that sent this idea to its grave? Why can't all the groups get to the same table and hash out a plan that works for the common good, with each group making a sacrifice? Personally, I'd rather have a smaller piece of a larger pie, but most people can't see to understand that concept and our sport is threatening to go into a death spiral. Fellow TBA'er Pull the Pocket, in this post, talks about getting the horsemen, the tracks, the alphabet groups and the regulators together, if you add in the horseplayers and ADW's and you've got everyone who has a dog in this hunt represented. Lock 'em in a room for a week and tell them not to come out without a deal. It'll never happen, but really if one thinks about it, sitting down (without preconceived agendas) and coming up with a common themed plan where everyone wins, doesn't require a highly paid consultant to figure out.


What gets me is that it appears that the ACRS built some serious rivalries that kept some of the senior (4yo+) horses racing for some lucrative purses, and all on national televison. Some serious handicap division races like the Donn, the Hollywood Gold Cup, the Whitney, the Woodward and the Big Cap all were highlighted races as part of the ACRS. It surely doesn't surprise me that D. Wayne Lukas was a proponent, and a vocal one, at that. He gets it. But we're Plaxico Burress with a loose holster and a hole in our leg. Maybe Greg Avioli can get it done, he needs to come up with a plan by the end of the year. Here's hoping he comes through.


I have a post up over at NTRA.com, as I will be covering the BC Dirt Mile over the next six weeks, so be sure to stop over and check it out.

Aloha, Breeders Cup

Tweet Dear Mr. Avioli,

I am emailing you as I am disturbed by the reactions lately that seem to blame the Breeders Cup and/or the industry for everything that is happening in racing. I know you are trying your best to put out a terrific product and that you just can’t do anything regarding things out of your control (retirements, etc). I was wondering if you could answer a few questions that would help me understand your position on various topics concerning the Breeders Cup, and shed some light on how you think things are shaping up. I know you are probably extremely busy, but I’d like to give you an opportunity to respond to some of the masses that seem to harp endlessly on the sport and in particularly, the Breeders Cup.

Yours in racing,
EquiSpace

Instead of responding directly, the CEO of the Breeders Cup forwarded it on to his public relations minister, Jeffrey Spicoli, who since graduating from Ridgemont High has moved up the ranks at the BC. Here are some excerpts from our interview:

SpaceMan: What kind of attendance figures are you looking for during the two days of championship racing?
Spicoli: Aloha, Mr. SpaceMan. Well, I'll tell you, racing's not a sport, it's a way of life, you know, a hobby. It's a way of looking at those horses coming down the stretch and saying, "Hey bud, let's party!"

SpaceMan: What kind of handle are you projecting for the two days?
Spicoli: Righteous bucks!

SpaceMan: Last year at Monmouth was the first time the championships were held over two days, why Friday instead of Sunday again this year (is it the daunting presence of the NFL)?
Spicoli: All you need are some tasty races, a cool buzz, and you'll be fine.

SpaceMan: The decision to make this year’s first day, “Filly Friday” is one that has been derided heavily on the web, do you still think this is a good decision and is this something that is projected to occur in the future?
Spicoli: Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.

SpaceMan: Were you aware that an internet petition was circulated to “Take Back the Races” on Friday to boycott betting on the Friday card? Any reaction?
Spicoli: No, I wasn't but after the Cup, I'm heading over to the Japan Cup and the Hawaiian internationals, and then me and Mick are going to wing on over to London and jam with the Stones! Wanna come?

SpaceMan: The decision to rename the Distaff, the Ladies’ Classic, as well, has received a lot of negative exposure, possibly alienating a big part of the betting public, will that decision be reevaluated?
Spicoli: Hey bud, what's your problem?

SpaceMan: With the defection of Big Brown due to his retirement, which now jeopardizes the chance that the casual sports fan might tune in, what are you going to try and promote to increase ratings, etc for the Classic and Saturday’s card?
Spicoli: Well, I'll tell you bud, I did battle some humongous television types! But you know, just like I told the guy on ABC, "Danger is my business!"

SpaceMan: Why the movement between the two stations (ESPN and ABC) is it really due to the sponsorship by a hard liquor company (Grey Goose) which Disney would not allow on its flagship channel (ABC)?
Spicoli: (ordering pizza)

SpaceMan: I have read that there will be less commercials this year, is this due to lack of demand or to provide the viewer with greater insights and background stories?
Spicoli: Jerry Bailey, bud, he's the full hot orator.

SpaceMan: What is the most important factor (key indicator) for you with respect to this year’s Cup?
Spicoli: Uh, uh... I don't know. People on 'ludes should not ride?

SpaceMan: How do you think the Americans will fare next week with the huge European invasion of horses?
Spicoli: What Jefferson was saying was, Hey! You know, we left this England place 'cause it was bogus; so if we don't get some cool races ourselves - pronto - we'll just be bogus too! Get it?

SpaceMan: Uh...I guess. Thank you so much for your time.
Spicoli: Aloha, Mr. SpaceMan.

The above interview and characters are fictional, any rebroadcast, retransmission of the above is in direct violation of the blogging association of america.