Trying to Make Racing Cool in PA?

This is pretty encouraging for a racino state: a marketing scheme for horse racing with a heavy online component.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, which oversees horse racing in the state, has launched the campaign, which is geared toward a younger demographic. It's called TrackPackPA.

The campaign mentions hanging out at the bar, having a decent meal, socializing, and watching horse races. It doesn't mention the slot machines all the tracks in the state now have. The ad on the Web site does show two 20-something women holding pari-mutuel tickets.

There is a field for people to sign up for "news and offers" via e-mail, as well as a listing of major upcoming Thoroughbred and Standardbred races in the state and a map that shows where the tracks are located.

It just got started, so we'll see how many people join the "Track Pack" over time. Check it out at trackpackpa.com and let me know your thoughts.

The photo on the home page, by the way, is a view of the Delaware River and the New Jersey marshes from the grandstand at Harrah's Chester Casino & Racetrack. Pretty cool setting for racing.