In a time of world strife, Breeders' Cup at Belmont Park offers a measure of international accord

Overhanging the Breeders' Cup at Belmont Park on October 27 will be the tragedy of September 11.

There is no getting around the fact that the 2001 Breeders' Cup is being held in New York, and, no matter what transpires on the racetrack, the specter of six weeks earlier will weigh on the day.

The Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships provides racing with the opportunity to stage an international event in a time of world strife, showing a measure of international accord, at least on that day and at that track. The event will bring together horses from America and Europe; those horses are owned by people from all walks of life and many parts of the world, including Saudi Arabia and Dubai.

Some people chafe at the latter thought, thinking that collectively those countries are not doing enough in the war on terrorism, and it will provide some with another reminder of what is happening on the larger, world stage.

Such a tragic event as what took place on September 11 evokes strong feelings, and everyone handles those feelings differently. Some want to use the tragedy to measure racing's soul through how much it has collectively raised for charitable contributions or measure racing's conscience by how it conducted business in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.

Racing has not given enough to relief charities, some say, while others feel that racing got back to business too soon. Deeds count.

Numerous consignors and buyers contributed through Keeneland Association, with Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum contributing $5-million. Through the National Thoroughbred Racing Association-New York Heroes Fund, Harry Mangurian Jr. pledged $1-million, Ernie Paragallo pledged seasons totaling a minimum of $1-million, and Saudi Prince Ahmed bin Salman contributed a season to Point Given.

The National Turf Writers Association will donate a portion of the proceeds from its awards dinner and silent auction four days before the Breeders' Cup, the Daily Racing Form is contributing part of its cover price on Breeders' Cup day, and Fasig-Tipton is contributing commissions from its October 30 sale at Belmont. Jockeys are contributing, as are racetrack employees and others. The amount of money raised by racing, in excess of $10-million, is about 1% of the total raised for relief charities from all sources. We do not know how that stacks up with other "industries," because we have not seen other "industries" keeping score.

On October 27, the eyes of racing will be on Belmont, and more money will be raised for relief funds as some owners contribute part of their purse earnings and part of every admission fee is donated.

But please do not keep score with a calculator. There are likely thousands of others associated with racing who have given in their own way, not seeking publicity but doing it privately, often through organizations other than the NTRA, because charity is not about self or public relations. It is about extending a hand to people who need help.

Big test

Attendance has not been good in the two previous years that Belmont played host to the Breeders' Cup championship, with the 37,246 in attendance in 1995 the all-time low for on-track attendance in the 17-year history of the event. Handle both in 1990, the time Belmont staged the event, and '95 declined from the previous year before rebounding the following year.

New York Racing Association executives have done a much better job at attracting crowds to Belmont for big races since 1995, as evidenced by the attendance at the Belmont Stakes (G1) the last five years, in excess of 65,000 every year. Given the reluctance of some people to travel today, one can assume that out-of-state attendance will be lower than usual for a Breeders' Cup. It will be up to New Yorkers to fill the stands.

The only possible conflict in New York is that the World Series now starts on October 27 because the season was pushed back a week. If the New York Yankees are eliminated before then, New Yorkers will be available in numbers to go racing.

NYRA faces a big test on October 27.

Good move

Breeders' Cup Ltd. is finally in step with major sports. Last month, Breeders' Cup announced the hosts of the annual championship day for the next four years. It previously announced host sites about one year in advance. This is a move long overdue and one that will help improve attendance and wagering at future events. The longer planning time will enable tracks to work with local governments and civic groups to make the event a bigger day for the community.