Nature of the Game

By Peter Rotondo Jr., Breeders' Cup VP - Media and Entertainment

Dear New Race Fan,

My name is Peter Rotondo, Jr and I’ve been going to races since I was 4 months old. Welcome to the greatest sport and game on the planet. Why? Because every 30 minutes, a new living, breathing puzzle is put together at 40mph and it’s your job to try and solve it. Going to the racetrack on a big days like the Kentucky Derby or Breeders’ Cup is like no other sporting events because you are constantly thinking, dreaming, moving and participating.

At most other sporting events, you sit and watch for hours with little interaction except for the occasional chanting and clapping. At the racetrack, you are involved with your mind and money. Your opinion truly matters because you get to back it up with your own cash! No matter if you’re a novice or a “so-called” expert, we’re in it together and we are playing against each other. It’s not like those BILLION dollar casinos that have been built with your money, this is different – we’re all playing against each other with more than money on the line – it’s about bragging rights and ego trips.

Another great part of the “day at the races” is the social aspect of the day. Because there is so much time between races, you get to mingle with your friends and still never miss a second of the action.

And, finally, the horses and jockeys themselves maker the day complete and unique. The horses are beautiful and majestic animals that were born to run and you get to see them up close and personal. The jockeys are “pound for pound” the greatest athletes on earth and they risk life and limb each time they hop aboard their mount.

So, they’re you have it – a day at the races is like no other. It’s an adrenaline fueled day with old and new friends enjoying the sport and the game of horse racing.

And, trust me, at the end of the day you will be happily exhausted!

Peter Rotondo Jr.
VP – Media and Entertainment, Breeders’ Cup
Twitter: @retro411