Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (10)

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (10)

Bret Stossel — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 14:26:12 GMT

Here's something that will really make you go hmmmm: Anyone read The New York Times article about breakdowns in racing? That will have all of the wrong people saying hmmmm!

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (10)

Convene — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:30:37 GMT

As regards the Ontario mess: Drummond is perpetuating a lie. The government doesn't subsidize racing; racing subsidizes the government (racing provides the facilities, etc., and is allowed to keep 20% of revenue; the government grabs the rest. Some subsidy, huh!). However, in this country nothing matters except hockey - which I HATE - so who gives a ^*%** about racing? I hope Drummond is ready for the welfare/unemployment benefits coming when some 60,000 people are put out of work here - or don't they matter because they're only racing people?

I live here and the logic of our government defies explanation on many, many counts. I think this is a shining example. I doubt if pretty Fort Erie will live long; Woodbine might stagger along some longer. And those of us who love racing here will nurse our broken hearts much, much longer. This is one time I'm glad not to be a "native-born." I'd have to be ashamed.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (10)

Edd Roggenkamp — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 02:25:17 GMT

I have been told the same statistic (or a similar variation) that the whales, a few gamblers 120 account for 20% of all bets. Maybe, maybe not. No one can or will report actual/factual statistics. Unfortunately this statistics seems to stop every one in their tracks. Why? Instead of "oh my God, oh my God", we need to ask, so what now?

Big fleets buy 20% of all vehicles, but that does not stop the vehicle manufacturers from persuing aggressive product, advertising, and marketing strategies for the other 80% of the buyers.

This out-of-reality concern about the few big bettors (if they really exist) is just another excuse for the lack of plan, the lack of action, and the lack of a real marketing and profit strategy in the business.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (10)

Convene — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 20:18:30 GMT

Ontario better be ready for the 60,000 or so unemployed people who'll be claiming social benefits once the government has killed racing here - for the loss of the hundreds of millions of dollars that the government gets after racing takes its paltry 20% for hosting/paying for the show.

You should know that Ontario is NOT known for making sense (I live here, so I know!. You should also know that, in Canada, it seems that if it isn't hockey, it doesn't count. I find that most offensive as I HATE hockey and have loved racing for over half a century.

How sad that a healthy sport is to axed for no good reason. I think the government might find it misses the subsidy racing provided - but by then it may be too late. It's a time I'm proud NOT to be a native born.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (10)

fb0252 — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:13:33 GMT

how about this Hmmmmmmm:

A horse racing Internet add is appearing on a site other than a racing industry site, to wit--TVG ads have been spotted on National Review and National Journal. As one may expect, the ads are completely and totally lacking in imagination, but then the journey starts with the first step.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (10)

AfleetAlexForever — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:30:48 GMT

Something that I find intersting is that a Horse of the Year would come back in an allowance race when there was a graded stakes to compete in that offered more money right up the road. Weights is what they were talking about, sounded like Allen Iverson and his rant about practice, stop arguing weights and run the horse in races worthy of consideration. This type of race in which she will be in an open gallop to finish is an embarrassment to the Eclipse Awards. Moving on. Thank goodness the owners of Royal Delta and other top fillies don't seek out and look for allowance races to start their horses seasons.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (10)

Deltalady — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:08:14 GMT

Bravo to the Jockey Club! In re: "The Jockey Club already has put into action many recommendations from the 2011 McKinsey and Company report—and in less than eight months."

I watched the Roundtable from last August -- several times -- and I've seen they are following up on many of the suggestions from the McKinsey Report. (See their release of their two progress reports at the Jockey Club's web site) I am glad the JC is wresting many of the functions away from the NTRA and taking a more "hands on" approach. The NTRA had become a toothless dragon...not even being successful at retaining membership levels for themselves, how in the heck were they going to be able to be effective in marketing the sport! Not sure it was anybody's fault, really, as structurally it was set up to fail.

As to Kentucky's Senate being tone deaf to its voters, it makes them look totally ridiculous! Here's a state that its claim to fame is "the Sport of Kings", is the center of the universe for the Thoroughbred industry, and, also, does it still grow tobacco? Nobody really likes the fact that for the time being at least, the sport is being held together with spit and bailing wire, and the casinos. When you already have gambling in your state, big time, and you are on the deck of the Titanic, now is not the time to rearrange the deck chairs! You go with the flow. When better solutions come along, be in a position to deal from strength, not from a leaky lifeboat.