Interestingly, here's coverage in Women's Wear Daily (!) focusing on Alix Earle (who grew up near Monmouth) and the party: https://wwd.com/eye/parties/pegasus-world-cup-baccarat-calvin-harris-alix-earle-miami-1236161458/

1/ST's Pete Rotondo was on with me this week and noted that NBC's ratings were very good for the telecast and that they tracked audience increases corresponding to Earle's communication efforts on IG and TikTok.

I understand veteran players being irked by initiatives like this and the game being marketed as a 'lifestyle', but it can't hurt. Many of the pro athletes in the game (Erik Johnson, Alex Bregman, Jake Ballis, Jake Delhomme, etc.) are bringing teammates in as owners and players through big day exposure.

Former Churchill head Bob Evans flew a gaggle of CEO's in to Louisville several years ago for a carefully orchestrated Derby Weekend experience that resulted in some of them getting into the sport as owners/bettors.

Does it really matter how we introduce racing to the uninitiated as long as we hook some of them on the game? At the same time of course, we can't lose sight of the everyday player by doing everything possible to offer an engaging on track product at a reasonable price.