Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Oct. 7, 2024

A good Monday morning to you all! Hope everyone’s weekend was good, and hopefully better than mine. Unfortunately a trip to Astoria, Oregon, turned into a hospital visit for me. But hopefully on the mend! I actually watched many of the big Saturday stakes while in the emergency room, but the medications they had me on probably didn’t lead to me digesting all the nuances of the races that much. So watching them Sunday morning was like getting to see them live!

Obviously some great performances and lots of talking points to discuss as we get closer and closer to the Breeders’ Cup. I think my biggest regret from Saturday was that we didn't get to see Senza Parole run in the Frizette (G1), but the eventual winner, Scottish Lassie, was super impressive and I would have loved to see where Senza Parole fit compared to that big effort. Sounds like Senza Parole will be out for the year with an injury, but hopefully we do see her return at age three. 

East Avenue was certainly one of the stars of the weekend with his big performance in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1). I remember there was a lot of hype on him before his big win at Ellis Park back in August. 

I find when hype horses win gate to wire easily against maidens, I’m always inclined to go against them when they do face winners because often lots of the other two-year-old "win-early" types are quite speedy. But once again, East Avenue didn’t let anyone close to him as he dominated the race with a 5 1/4-length win. 

Of course, after typing what I just typed, my inclination in the Breeders’ Cup is that he’ll have to take on speedy early Bob Baffert runners and will have to overcome the pressure. So if you like East Avenue in the BC, congratulations. I probably just put him alone on the lead through a 49-second half-mile. You’re welcome.

As a race-caller, I try to be as unbiased toward friends in the industry or people I know personally when they win races. Heck, even as a fan and podcast host, I try not to let those biases creep through too much. But I can’t deny how happy I was for CJ Thoroughbreds. I’ve had CJ Johnsen on my show many times and always have enjoyed talking with him. I also have a couple other friends who are part-owner of this horse, so to see them getting to celebrate a Grade 2 win in the Rodeo Drive and a trip to the Breeders’ Cup was very, very cool.

In racing, it’s very difficult not to make friends and create biases in who you root for. Working in the business, I think it’s very tough because it’s such a close-knit and small community, and it’s almost impossible for some favoritisms not to form. Every once in a while in race-calling, I’ll notice I seem to be pointing out a jockey or trainer who I’m friendly with and try to remember that each of those folks should get the praise and discussion that they deserve, no more or no less.

I feel like once in a while, our customers enjoy the shots of spouses or children of trainers or jockeys celebrating wins while working on TV. But overall, I think a lot of people find it a turn-off and are left feeling that everything is too “inside.” I suppose it’s just part of things in this business and try as we might, sometimes biases or favoritism will shine through. I think the goal is for it not to be obvious, but sometimes we’re just guilty of being fans. There’s part of me that wishes that wasn’t the case but another part of me that feels like if we lose being a fan, why are we even in this?

Have a great week, everyone!