I really think TV access has a lot to do with it. I'm 30, and grew up with racing on Wide World of Sports, as well as the local OTB channels and daily coverage of the entire NYRA card on the MSG network. We can't recruit new fans if they don't really have access to the sport in a reliable, timely way.

Great blog, Dani!  We can only hope your assessment is correct that in spite of all the turmoil now, racing won't just go away.  I plan to remain a fan, but the problem with that is that I'm not a bettor, so I don't make much contribution to handle which is what is needed to drive the sport.  My $20 - $40 wagers per year don't make a dent - lol!  I sure like to watch the beauty and majesty of the horses, though and that is what keeps me engaged.

I could'nt agree with you more Jason.  And lets not forget the likes of Afleet Alex and Smarty Jones or Ghostzapper, who in my opinion was the most gifted runner since at least Spectacular Bid if not Secretariat himself!  

Racing will never be the same as it was in the 70's, 80's, and 90's.

Too many stars are bein g shuttled off to the breeding shed too early, too many gutless trainers seek the easiest spot possible for their horses, and let's face it, there is too much racing.  The last pure thoroughbred horse we were priviledged to see was Barbaro.  Nothing since could even challenge that animal.  As for Rachel Alexandra, she represents everything missing in racing today.  Gio to the BC, Jess Jackson, and face some real competition.  

Well said  Adding the lights at Churchill sounds like a positive step in the 21st Century.  Slot money needs to bring tracks around the country into the 21st Century. Let's hope Ohio gets it right it would be a shame to lose Beulah, River Downs, and Thistledowns.

With Bay Meadows turned to a pile of rocks, Hollywood Park to be turned into low income housing, Santa Anita in chapter 11, and Del Mar on the state's list of possible land holdings up for sale (along with San Quenton) it is hard to be optimistic. Yes there are still quality races and horses.  My fear is I will soon be driving to Sunland Park to see them.  All in California need to get on the phone to Bo Derek tomorrow.  

This sport needs 4 things.  1.  A national governing body.  2.  Marketing.  3.  Marketing.  4.  Marketing.  Hire Periscope Productions from the Twin Cities (who do the Twins commercials) and run them nationwide.  Talk about money well spent.

California racing will continue to decline as long as they have fake tracks.  Go back to dirt before it's

too late.

Hollywood Park unfortunately is not being torn down for low income housing for if that was the fact I could almost forgive them the act of tearing down my favorite racetrack. It is being plowed under for a shopping mall and high end condos. I worked at a real estate office here in Los Angeles so I know this for a fact. Hopefully we could get better advertising and more gumption from breeders and owners to have racing return to local channels and hopefully with the wonderful "Jockeys" on Animal Planet we will build up a new base of fans. We also need to demand that our newspapers carry better write ups on major races not only in their states but in other states as well. I was upset that the L.A. Times did not post the racing entries and results from the Fairplex. They do for Del Mar, Santa Anita and Hollywood Park why not the Fairplex? And when Rachel won the Woodward I found only a small write up on such a major race in the Times. Shame on them. That should have been front page news in the sports section! But it also comes down to the fans. We have to step up and start not only demanding but calling the stations and newspapers and let them know how we feel. We all have our part. Let's do it and stop whining about it.

ITS ON ITS WAY BACK TO THE TOP...REGULAR FOLKS JUST CAN'T SEE IT HAPPENING...LONG LIVE THE KING BABY!!!...

In the 70s racing legends were common, the likes of the great ack ack,the legendary secretariat, the great forego,the fabulous seattle slew, and the magnificent affirmed and the spectacular spectacular bid. The 80s,and,90s were compettitive and offered a great array of stars, greats like john henry, alysheba, and easygoer sunday silence rivalry. We got lucky in the 90s again with the emergance of the great holy bull, the incomparable cigar, best known for his 16 race win streak,the Iron horse skipaway who blew us away in the classic. the sad part to this is if we dont change the way breed train and keep horses in training we will be looking at a generation of future legends that will never get an opportunity. As a result of greed by people who dont have racing in their best interest.

In the 70's we were spoiled by 3 TC winners. etc, BUT we only saw those stars when they raced and a few articles here and there.

TODAY we have TWO entire channels DEVOTED to only horse racing and many venues online to watch live racing and to BET online...

We have this great Bloodhorse site with race replays, blogs to connect with other race horse lovers, we can see videos of retired horses, mini- virtual reality tours of farms, Kentucky Horse park residents...we got to see Alysheba come home, we share in the good news and the sad passings of our equine and human friends...

We can visit the great farms online and  can access conformation pages, many with walking videos, of most of the great stallions at stud.

We have a plethera of access to the world of horse racing in venues not even imagined when Secretariat, Seattle Slew & Affirmed ran...You Tube, etc

Any reason horse racing is not growing and/or is viewed as something most horse people (there are millions of non-racing horse people) do not want to associate with, or is unable to draw horse lovers (those who love but don't own horses) and keep them in today's totally accessible horse world is the fault of the industry.

True, there will always be good horses to peak our interest. However, the horses are weaker now and are starting to break down more often and on racing's biggest days. I remember when I was 11, watching Alysheba blaze down the stretch to win the Kentucky Derby. I was hooked. Racing had a new fan, and bettor (once I got older or course). If I were 11 and watching the 2008 Derby, I would absolutely not have been as involved in racing as I am today. I would never have wanted to watch another race, and that is exactly the problem. Sure, hard core fans and bettors will never be turned off by the sight of a dying animal on the track. New ones will be though, and thoroughbred racing has absolutely no clue as to why horses break down. They keep going as they always have with unsound horses pumped full of a variety of drugs. They can make all the synthetic tracks they want- they just don't get it.

Just like everything else in America when everything is good everyone wants a piece of the pie. The racing industry is a great industry but like most industries that are struggling in this economy it needs to shrink down in size to become a profitable entity once again. Yes. This may mean closing some tracks down and reducing the amount of racing day's. But in the end we will still have racing. And I'm sure somewhere in the near future we will be able to expand once again.

Great blog Dani!  I completely agree, the horse racing world is a glass that is still half full.  Maybe the economic downturn will lead to horses staying on the track longer creating more heroes for young fans.

Householder has summed up the problem: it is hard to be optimistic. The problem is inadequate television coverage.

I have hated to admit this to myself, but I feel my passion for horse racing slowly slipping away. I have a sense that the sport is going to continue to be marginalized by poor marketing until there's nothing left. My ebbing devotion is a defense mechanism preparing me for the inevitable.

Better Talk Now...something very very good about racing.

TV coverage will do more than anything. OTB is fine for racing fans already hooked but TV could bring in folks. Only trouble is they don't want to pay for the channel. I don't have the racing channel because I have to pay. My brother-in-law has it so that sure helps me lol. TV is the answer.

The 70's and 80's brought the west coast Affirmed, Ferdinand, Alysheba, Winning Colors, Sunday Silence, John Henry...but even earlier, prior to television, I have heard that employers used to give their employees an hour off to listen to the "big ones" on the radio.  Every one tuned in.  It was a national event.  Now we have these idiots on national t.v. asking the connections of Mine That Bird if he is going to be retired after his Kentucky Derby win like "so many other 3 year olds who have won."  Retired to what!  He's a GELDING.  Perhaps one should look that up in the dictionary before covering such an event.  

Racing is in big decline when Belmont has to rely on  its terrible state breeding program

Julie L is wrong about shopping malls- low income housing is right

Worst place to live is a housing project

I think Del Mar does it right.  The location is perfect, the meet not too long, and it offers a later start time and Friday night racing.  When I go, I see the next generation of handicappers.  Young, beautiful people in their early 20's trying to figure out the difference between win, place, and show and what the heck is an exata.  At Hollywood Park I see 15,000 or less turning out for Zenyatta, no one in the stands, food vendors who are closed, a meet that can't fill its card is is so long, and plenty of free parking (because no one is there).  Now I'm wondering who is going to dig up Native Diver and where do you put him?  Or, do you leave him in the middle of a shopping mall.  Wonderfull...

Yes the glass is 1/2 full.  I will give a shout out to Zenyatta and Well Armed.  The later should get the "Near Death" experience award and is an example of all the great science/research that goes into the sport.  Shout out to the University of California Davis.  I shouted at Bo (916) 263-6000 but she was not it.  CHRB does take public comments on its website which can be left c/o BonS@chrb.ca.gov.  With Harris (CA breeder) and Moss (Zenyatta owner) on the board I can't imagine they would let any further decay to CA racing to happen.  

Thank you all for your posts. Those who agree and support my assesment thank you very much. Those who have a more negative outlook i can see your points, that is why during the beinging of the post i covered some of the not so great things that racing has gone through.

Dray i think is correct on saying as long as Cali has synthetics racing over in the west will decline. I had a blog that touch on this on my site. Synthetics are a failed experiment due to their inconsistancy. Dirt tracks, IMO, are more consistant overall, even in mud. Synthetic tracks have taken away the historical significance of many of Cali's biggest races, which is why many Cali horses have an astrik next to their name. Synthetics are not dirt, and should never be compared to dirt, they are too different.

I think we do need more TV coverage, but as someone pointed out when your doing well everybody is your friend, when your not your invisible, and that is the case here. Also, racing knows what the problems of the industry are, we just don't want to do them. We don't want to spend more money to maintain our dirt, or stop breeding for speed, and the reason's behind so many of these reasons is money, unfortunetly. Another blogger said something about the low economy driving owners to keep their horses on the track longer. I hope this will come true, seeing as nothing would please me more.

Thank you again everyone.

the NTRA needs more punch. Tracks and the industry have to realize that a united industry all working together to get the proper publicity and media attention is what we need to get horse racing more in the general public's mindset. Maybe some small percentage takeout on all bets made (1/10 of 1%, etc)could be used to fund a marketing campaign.

Further to my prior post, I just found that total US handle is about 12 Billion a year, making one tenth of 1 percent equal about 12 Million, a decent budget for a marketing campaign, perhaps?

Now the Russians are buying horses at Keeneland sale-

Just wait when china starts buying racehorses

the world is now taking are best racehorses and leaving as with slow and little to boot

DOES RUSSIA have any big big racetracks?

HI DANI:

Great blog!

It's all about free televison access to the casual fan.  I used to watch boxing on TV, now all the best fights are PPV, so I watch MMA...cause it's free.  Boxing was always waiting for the 'great white hope' to get their ratings up, guess what, some white guy holds a belt or 2 and his brother might hold one...who knows or cares because to the casual fan (me) I haven't seen them fight on free TV.

So the NTRA should produce a weekly show for some channel or two like spike/bravo/animal planet/versus/espn1or2/cbs/fox/nbc/abc/etc... then sell commercials to those who sponser races already, and other logical companies. Add a sponser logo to the screen as the race is run. This should pay for the show every Sat. afternoon, but even as a loss leader fans would be more exposed to the sport and that would create more fans and more betting fans.

Eddie Castro at Thistledowns !!! I will be hitching my wagon to his train all day !  I made a lot of money with him back a few years ago at Calder and he is one of my favorite younger jockeys.  I would love to see him get a mount for the Derby in 2010.  Ohio Derby !!! Go Ohio !  Jason, for the record take the 17 points and Indiana and bet the house.  Ohio State ALWAYS has a problem with them at Indiana.

Julie L. is right. HP is being demolished for a shopping mall and exclusive condos. Like it is really needed here in Cali. Sadly the state is a slave of developers, never mind that it takes outlandish $$$ to live here. Racing will always be here, but in a more generic form. I agree with arlissholmes that the horses are shuttled off to the breeding shed way to early, less thought is being given to breeding in the fact of the ocurring breakdowns of the offspring of some sires. But I tend to look at things as in a cycle, interest will peak once again but it will take time. In this era of "instant, at your fingertips everything", there are a lot of distractions. When a race is shown on tv, it would be a tremendous boon to have someone who knows what they are talking about hosting the show. More emphasis on the horses and a lot less of "celebrities" would be helpful. As for those channels devoted to the sport, while some may be able to view them, others like myself can't because I am held hostage by the local cable company, who of course wants the required $$$$$$. That is why I rely on BH and a few others to keep up with things. Thank you BH.

Anyways, great blog Dani!

Two very simple things would fix racing and get it back in the public limelight.  1. No raceday medication. 2. No horse be allowed to breed before their 6th (1 January) birthday. Yes I said sixth birthday.

Most I think understand the medication debate. Why is it that other countries do just fine with their horses running clean but ours can't?  We were told 20 years ago that allowing medication would allow our horses to race longer. Fact is our horses have become less sound and make fewer starts than before we allowed raceday medication. Add in there the publics perception about the horses being drugged. Race day medication has been very bad for the sport and it needs to go.

Householders comment about the media asking if MTB was going to be retired after winnning the KD as many other 3YO have done brings home the second part of my 'fix'. Too much focus today is on breeding, for top $$ at the sales and recouping those $$ as quickly as possible. Get the horse a GSW and retire them ASAP. In order for a stallion to command top dollar in the past, they had to establish a firm track record over several YEARS, showing consistancy, ability and soundness over time. So why wait to breed?  Horse aren't fully mature until 5, so its better for the horses. More horses on the track would fill more cards and reduce shortages, better for the betting public.  Top horses that draw folks in, stay in training and can be followed for more than 6 months.  Public wants heros that stick around, not here today gone tomorrow flash in the pans. Better for the fans and the media who follow the sport.  Horses would be raced, which would improve soundness in the breed because everyone would know who the better horses are based on lengthened campaigns. Better for the breed.  Only ones it wouldn't be better for are the owners who have horses that are injured and can't race nor could they breed for a couple of years, but is that a horse we really want in the breed pool that can't stand up to racing? Then the sport could bring back things like the ACRS, which would attract more fans, establish true champions, give the media something to report on and refocus the breeding industry on bring back the American Iron Horse.  Add in there that a sounder breed would be more attractive to prospective owners for horses moving on to 2nd careers once their racing days are over. Makes too much sense.

I also believe that Racing does still have a good future.   It's just going to be a different vision from it's former Glory Days.

Less of it.

But, Less in a good way.

"Less Quantity...More Quality" !!!

The hard economic times we're in right now will force it to be Less than what it once was.

But, that "Should" make the industry better in the long run.   Giving it the chance to focus more on the Quality and not the Quantity.

Steve S. -

I am not wrong! Talk to Inglewood about Hollywood Park Tomorrow as they want to call it! The citizens of Inglewood want a huge shopping mall and the construction company that bought Hollywood Park builds high end condos not low-income housing. Don't argue this one with me I work in the real estate industry so I think I have a better edge on knowing also have been involved in trying to stop what is going on. Where have you been. They also will keep the Hollywood Park Casino!

I agree with mararacing about no racing medication and racing the horse more than two seasons.  We need to develope household names that will help attract new fans.  The media is also a big deal to help push these horses to the general population, but not just on a cable channel the public has to pay for.  The racing industry needs to help in educating the reporters to focus more on the horses and jockeys and less on the actors/actresses showing up at a random major race.  

I noticed that once the first post time was bumped up to 2pm at my local track more people came to watch the races. Thursday and Friday nights bring in decent crowds as well from what I have witnessed.  Which Householder had mentioned earlier.  

I hope we can turn the 1/2 empty cup to 1/2 full at some point in time in the industry.  

I also have to agree that California needs to bring the dirt back to the tracks and drop the synthetic mess. I think that was just a dumb idea for the fact that it seems like trial and error with track maintenance and how it affects the horses.  

One wouldn't even know horse racing still existed by reading the daily newspapers, which don't or rarely cover it at all....The Washington Post, for example.  (When one starts out this blog/topic for discussion by mentioning the greats of the 70s, etc., lets put them in proper sequence (order of greatness too).  It's Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed.  It's NOT Secretariat, Affirmed, Seattle Slew, as is shown in the lead-off sentence of this blog.  The order/distinction is important.  Slew trounced Affirmed the two times they met and was the superior horse.  Yeah, I know this topic isn't about that, but still....

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. How many times is this topic been raised? Even draynay can't find a fight here.

Great blog Dani.....hope you didn't miss any classes.

• I would like to see race tracks come together and synchronize their activities, race time schedules, marketing ventures, etc.

• HOY should not be voted on randomly.  Horses should compete in a schedule of races at various venues around the country with a point system, or maybe a graded earnings system.  I know that this type of thing has been discussed before, but if done properly it can gain more interest and ensure that the product reaches a wider number of tracks.  Running in the BC (barring injury) should de required.  You wouldn’t necessarily have to win it, but you should run in it.

• Medication rules should be uniform throughout.

• Cheaters should not get more than one chance.  If caught again face a very lengthily ban.

• Get rid of the synthetics.  I am not necessarily against them, but they are not doing what was intended and are fragmenting the sport.

I too remember the races being televised on ABC and in Canada on CBC every weekend.  It may have only been a 1/2 hr show but they showed at least one Stake race per weekend.  It is lkittle things like that that may bring back the general public.  Just get the sport out there and hope someone watches and enjoys it.

I'm in full agreement with the sentiments expressed on this blog, but one tiny niggling point:  What do we know about Rachel Alexandra's return to the races in 2010?  Anything?  Has she been taken completely out of training, still exercising on the track, or what?  I am amazed that there has been no news whatsoever in weeks concerning the Savior of Racing 2009.  As long as she is still breathing, there must be something to report!  Talk about a horse falling off the edge of the planet!!

I've been around a long time.  I first started going to the races with my grandparents when I was a teenager.  I was there for Johnny Longden's last ride.  I can tell you Santa Anita was packed. They even had good crowds during the week.  During the sixties, there was a major horse race televised EVERY weekend during racing season.

There was always coverage in the newspaper and on TV.

In California, the two major tracks were Santa Anita and Hollywood Park.  Santa Anita opened on December 26 and Hollywood Park would open in April and then Del Mar opened in August and Fairplex opened in mid September.  In 1970 they prolonged the season with Oaktree at the beginning of October then it went to Hollywood in November.  There used to be no racing for three months.  October, November most of December.  Racing went year round.

We had great racing out here and great horses.  Racing was big and popular.  There were 3 triple crown winners in the '70's after a 25 year draught then it started to decline.  I believe there are many factors contributing to the decline of horse racing beginning with year-round racing.  Every other sport has a hiatus and horse racing use to but hasn't in many a year.  There is NO media coverage to speak of.  Newspapers don't cover anything except the TC and Breeder's Cup.  Otherwise, all you see in the newspaper are the results from the day before and the current day's racing schedule.

In the old days, everyone knew who the big horses were or at least heard of them.  Unless you're a fan, you don't know anything about it.  The best thing to happen to racing in recent years was the movie "Seabiscuit".  It had it's inaccuracies but the public loved it.  They went to the movie in droves and it was the most bought DVD when it was released.  Right after that came the miracle Smarty Jones!  Yes, I call him a miracle because he had the whole country behind him in his TC bid.  He had wonderful connections and he was a msrvel to watch. There was all sorts of articles and televison coverage about that shining, beautiful creature who captured the public's imagination.  Then it tapered off again.  MTB came along as a 50-1 longshot and won the Derby, a feel good story and then the Filly came in and snatched the Preakness and continued undefeated beating the boys 3 times.  These are the kind of things horse racing needs.  Maybe, just maybe it will continue with shining stars like we've seen this year.  The loss of Hollywood Park will be disastrous and who knows what will happen to Del Mar and Santa Anita.

They are synthetic and that keeps horses from the East coming out for the major stakes races in the winter.  Santa Anita used to be a great race track until they turned it to synthetic.  The Breeder's Cups held there in the earlier years were great and well organized, the weather was perfect.  In the 1986, the weather was horrid the week before the cup.  The air was smoggy and awful and then, the day of the BC, it was like God decided they should have a great day and it was clear and sunny and about 72 degrees.  It was so clear you thought you could touch the San Gabriel mountains.  It was the same for the inaugural at HP.  Racing is disappearing here unless the tracks are saved and turned back to dirt.  Horse racing on the whole in this country doesn't face the problems CA is having currently with it's tracks.  Hopefully, they will thrive and if it turns around for CA, much the better.  It's not over but horse racing needs a shot in the arm for sure.

The Kentucky Derby winner is in town to take on older horses in the Goodwood (Oct. 10).  This is very exciting for California.  Grab your kids, get your neighbors, call your friends.  It is a chance to see a little piece of history...and the Kentucy Derby still remains one of the races that EVERYONE knows about.  I hope the west coast media plays this up.

Shout out to Kathy Walsh and Jack Van Berg, and the other trainers who went before the Inglewood City Council, to no avail, to try to save Hollywood Park.  Their efforts should be commended.  They understood the significance, importance, and history, of such a venue.  

If Chocolate Candy goes in the Goodwood I see him giving Mine that Bird a race.  CC loves Santa Anita and got pretty close to Pioneer of the Nile over it.  I hope Talamo can understand Wooley's very simple "rope-a-dope" don't start running until the stretch strategy.  Unfortunately CC will be back there as well.  Can't wait to see if there is any speed in the race.

What a sad it will be when Hollywood Park is no longer. So much history will be lost forever.

So the Casino gets to stay but track has to go.

Dani/LDP(?):

Thanks.  Good column.

da3hoss:

Excellent observations.  For those of us who are already fans, racing is actually much more  media accessible now than it was even 20 years ago.  When I first got into racing in 1989, ABC and ESPN televised about the same number of races that were nationally televised up until this year(ESPN coverage has dropped noticably this year), and there was "Racing Digest", a weekly 30 minute ESPN program recapping/replaying recent stakes races.  Missing then were the on-line sites, the blogs, YouTube and other sites to watch replays, twitter, and the all-racing networks HRTV and TVG.

1989 was a great year for thoroughbred racing, but 1990 was one of the darkest, culminating with a tragic Breeder's Cup day.  The next few years were also lean in terms of both the quality of racing and prominent breakdowns and injuries, including Union City in the 93' Preakness and Prarie Bayou in the 93' Belmont.  1990-1993 was also a period in which on-track attendance figures declined precipitously.  A telling reflection of this decline was the fact the Santa Anita Handicap went from attracting 85,000 in 1985 to crowds around 30,000 by the mid 90s.

Much of the decline in on-track attendance from the 80s to the present occurred during the first half-decade of the 90s.  In fact, attendance for marquee events like the Big Cap, Santa Anita Derby, Triple Crown, and Breeders Cup have actually increased somewhat significantly since the early and mid 90s.  The attendance for the Belmont Stakes in 1993 was just 45,000, with a decline to 42,000 in 1994, 37,000 in 1995 and 40,000 in 1996.  In was in this depression that Silver Charm entered in 1997 trying to sweep the Triple Crown.  The Triple Crown series of 1997 was widely hailed as "saving" the Triple Crown, and the 70,000 people that came out to Belmont to witness Silver Charm's bid for the Crown was the largest crowd to watch a Belmont Stakes since Seattle Slew in 1977.  The following year, Real Quiet brought out 80,000 to Belmont and then in 99' Charismatic drew 85,000.  Even when the Triple Crown was not at stake in 2000 and 2001 the crowd was 67,000 and 73,000 respectively.  The crowds for the Belmont Stakes continued this upward trend with more than 100,000 coming out to see War Emblem in 2002 and Funny Cide in 2003, and peaked when the "Smarty Party" drew a record 120,000.  

If anything, the crowds and interest in racing's biggest events have increased over the last 20 years and are as strong as ever.  This is certainly true of the Triple Crown, with attendance for recent runnings of the Preakness and Belmont dwarving those of even the 70s.  For example, in 73' a crowd of about 61,000 saw Secretariat win the Preakness while in 2004 the Preakness crowd to see Smarty and others was near 105,000.  As seen by the crowds that came out to see Rachel in the Woodward, or Lava Man in the Big Cap and Hollywood Gold Cup(I think the crowd in 2007 when Lava Man three-peated was double that of the next year), and the general interest in the Triple Crown and Breeders Cup, when racing puts out a quality product, there definitely is a market, and that market is about as strong as it has been in the last 35 years.  The problem is that the market is considerably smaller for the "everyday" product.

In 1990, Trevor Denman was aked what the future of racing needed to be if the sport was to thrive.  His two-part answer was 1) Centalization and 2) Contraction.  As CRob87 suggested, Denman felt that racing would be strengthened by a "more is less approach" with a focus on quality rather than quantity.  Under a ntional administration, Denman believed that ultimately there should be much fewer tracks that offer live racing, perhaps as few as 10-20 tracks, but these tracks would provide a much higher quality product.

Unfortunately, at least from the Denman perspective, there has actually been a proliferation of tracks over the last 20 years.  Some, particularly those fueled by revenue from slots, have been able to do quite well in the short term, however it is yet unclear whether the racing part of "racinos" is sustainable over a long period.  Then, there are other tracks, like those in Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, and now California that have witnessed a major decline in business and are currently facing an unkown future.  While there will always be a hardcore group of gamblers that will play any race, it is hard to imagine that racing's saving grace will be found in a card of $5,000 claimers at Podunk Downs.  And does anyone really want racing's future to be a card of $5,000 claimers?  

As much as I personally have enjoyed having the opportunity to watch live thoroughbred racing at the new Pinnacle Racecourse in Detroit, the track simply does not appear to be financially solvent.  Founded on the hope that it would eventually become a racino, Pinaacle has basically been in "neutral" since legislation/referendum to make it a racino failed.  In fact, if one listens to the calls by the track announcer, he uses the phrase "the horses enter the FUTURE clubhouse turn" because construction on the main grandstand/clubhouse has not even begun.  Where there should be a grandstand/clubhouse there are currently only tents, under which there are a few television monitors and betting lines.  The one complete part of the facility is the Pavilion, located in upper stretch, featuring a small dining area, bar, monitors and betting lines, a restroom, and a small deck/patio trackside.  Why is there no grandstand/clubhouse?  Well, the facility was supposed to have been completed by last year's opening in June, but construction lagged well behind schedule, and without the expected future revenue from slots, the management has decided to forego any further construction.  If legislation for slots is not approved, it is hard to imagine Pinnacle being around much longer.  Throw in the state budgetary crisis which forced Pinnacle to cut a number of dates and lower stakes purses(the only stakes are state-bred) by 60% during July and August, and the future is even more bleak.  

Obviously, things like marketing, lobbying, and optimizing media exposure are also key, as are medication rules, horse/jockey safety, deciding on the future of synthetics, and the breeding industry.  However, probably most fundamental is centralization, something which would facilitate standardized improvements in medication, safety, breeding, and marketing.  Then, one would believe that for the betterment of the sport as a whole, some contraction will be needed, and finacially insolvent tracks either closed or turned into satellite-only facilities.

TAKE out rates go up when slots come-no to slots

No to slots ?  Don't be silly.

Laz,

   LOL, nope, I believe I typed this up on Sat. and had it to Jason at about 1pm, so nope, I didn't miss any classes. I type quick and think up subjects quick. I think it took me little over an hours to type it up, edit it then send it to Jason, whom, by the way I would love to thank, for allowing me to guest blog. Mom and Dad come asking me every day how many comments I have. Again I would love to thank everyone on here for commenting, supportive or not, it's great that you come on here and express your opinion.

I agree with Draynay: "Go back to dirt"---these synthetic years will be blips in the past someday, and shame! Who knows how good that mare was, whats her name? Too bad....

Householder--Pro Ride plays like turf---Pioneer made an early move and won on class---Choc Candy/Mr Hot Stuff, close 2nd/3rd are nowhere near the horse that Pioneer was--I look for Colonel John to clean house in Goodwood (if going)--I would love to see Rosario up! Rosario is the strongest rider I've seen out here in a long time/reminds me of a young McCarron....

What do we need?

More kids as passionate about the sport as Dani.

Then when they turn 21 translate that passion to wagering which even in the minimal amounts, is what keeps this industry going.

We have our differences but I can never doubt your love of the horses and the sport young lady.

Yes, there is ZERO proof that syn tracks are ANY safer than dirt so what is the point?  Why have the stuff ?  Get rid of it and get rid of it now.  No one really cares for it and it diminishes USA racing.  Isn't great to have some horse that won one race all year come into the Breeders Cup and whip 2 time HOY on the plastic stuff.  Yep, that really made USA racing look good didn't it.  Dumb, Dumb, Dumb !!!

I see a lot of comments in here about the drugs, synthetic tracks, and media exposure.... but I don't think anyone has even mentioned that we, in this industry, particularly the owners and breeders, have to look out for the long-term welfare of the horses.  We have to cut out the drugs, and we need to find a way to make sure that ex-racehorses do not end up in slaughterhouses.  Until we take the high road by establishing some means of accomodating ex-racehorses for retraining, or farms for ex-racehorses to live out their lives... and making sure that someone follows through on where all these horses end up, we can rightly be viewed as just a bunch of meat grinders.  Like it or not, the public of the 21st century has a different approach to animals...  we need to show a little respect.  If we can't take care of our ex-racehorses, then there are too many of them, and I would strongly agree that we need some contraction of the industry.  It is beyond reproach that a Kentucky Derby winner (Ferdinand) would end up in a slaugherhouse.  Shame on all the connections, and shame on the industry that let it happen.  And that doesn't even begin to touch on what happens to all of the 5000 dollar claimers out there that have run their life out for the owners, trainers, jockeys, and yes - the gambling public.  Someone should give a crap about what happens to them too.  Until we do, the sport doesn't deserve a resurgence.

Interesting comment CMENOW but to be honest I am not buying it.  What concerns me most is you didn't mention the jockey once in your extended paragraph.  It's time you owners woke up and did something to help the jockey's who are risking their lives for your sport.  Each time a horse is purchased 1% should go to extended care for injured jockey's.  Owners wine and cry to keep jockey fees where they have been for 10 years. I wouldn't risk my life for 55 bucks would you ?  It's nice that you want to care for horses but don't step over an injured jockey to do it.

You're right, I didn't mention the jockeys.  Let's remember that they are free-will human beings who choose their professions.  I care a great deal for them and have contributed greatly to the pdjf as well as don macbeth fund. (have you?) All I am saying is that we need to be cognizant that public perception of how we treat horses is going to be a factor that our sport deals with in the future. grow up draynay.  I never ever suggested stepping over an injured jockey to save a horse -- you have twisted my words entirely, so again I say, grow up.

We do care, that's why hundreds of organizations have been created to assist the retired/forgotten racehorse.  This has so far made only a small dent in what needs to be done, but...the ball is rolling and great things are being done.

Hmmm, not sure where CMEN0W 'owns and breeds' horses but that is the ONE area we seem to be making the most inroads. The retirement funds, the reduction in breeding. Old Friends, Tranquility Farms the Grayson Foundtion.

What we CAN'T stop totally are on track injuries. Just like all the advances in medicine have not been able to stop injuries of fit, non-drug using human athletes.

It's pushing the body to limits that go beyond the couch potato or the backyard pet horse that does it. That being said? The 'activists' out there will NEVER be happy with ANYTHING short of abolishment.

To ME THAT is what has happened in racing in the last several years. The 'trying to please everyone and pleasing no one' syndrome.

The anti-gaming, anti-running horses, anti anything that doesn't fit into their narrow views and the lack of understanding that those people actually HAVE.

The outside forces with NO comprehension of the intricacies of the game, trying to tell those of us IN the game how it should ALL be done.

Shoot me but I do agree with Dray (deep breaths now). Pressured into the synthetics without sufficient research, spending money that these tracks DIDN'T have to spend, only to be disappointed in the results and the tracks closing ANY WAY. Which is JUST what the anti's want, close EVERY race track in this country.

The subject of slots? Once again, 20 years ago Casino gambling was in Nevada and Atlantic City. Now it's EVERYWHERE. If we want to compete we need a level playing field. The misinformation that it increases the takeout?

NM (racinos) 19% WPS

AZ (no racinos) 25% WPS

LA (racinos) 17% WPS

KY (no racinos) 16% WPS

AR (racinos)  17% WPS

KS (no racinos) 18% WPS

Look it up if you doubt the effect.

www.horseworlddata.com/pmtrcks.html

THE BIGGEST effect if handled correctly? NM the best example: VLT's installed in Feb 99. According to the horse racing industry, New Mexico tracks paid $18.9 million in PAYROLL in 2001(after VLTs), UP FROM $4.7 million in 1998(before VLTs).

Total New Mexico racetrack PURSES were UP to $31.4 million in 2001 from $11.6 in 1998.

They paid an estimated $32 million in gaming taxes in 2002.  MAJORITY of which came from the slots and the way the % that was structured.

I'm certain the figures are higher now  because it's grown tremendously. All the economic indicators show that NM has escaped the worst of the economic downturn in housing etc so guess it must be okay.

The breeding program there offers some of the most lucrative incentives and they are OPENING tracks not closing them.

I think this has proven out in most states that have had racinos for a measurable time frame. (more than 2-3 years).

Sorry to go completely off topic-

Laz:

I wanted to respond to your comment about Well Said winning the Little Brown Jug and not being the favorite in his heat.  I suppose the betting reflected concerns about Well Said on a smaller track, given he had lost to Vintage Master in the finals of the Adios Pace at the 5/8th Meadows, and that Vintage Master was coming off a dominant win in the Cane Pace at the half-mile Freehold.  I also think some people had concerns about Well Said in heat races, something which If I Can Dream handled easily in winning the Confederation Cup at Flamboro near Toronto.  

Clearly, neither the small Delaware Co. Fairgrounds track nor the heat racing affected Well Said.  I thought the concerns about Well Said handling the small track were overstated; although Well Said had lost the finals of the Adios, he had set the all-ages track record for the Meadows in winning his elim for the Adios.  The reason for the disappointing 3rd behind Vintage Master in the final was that Well Said was a little rundown following a month of constant racing, including a dominating win in the $1 million Meadowlands Pace a week before the Adios elims and the elims for the Meadowlands Pace a week before the final.  With his victory in the Little Brown Jug, Well Said has almost clinched both the Dan Patch(US) and O'Brien(Canada) awards as top 3 year old pacer, and will likely be named top overall pacer in both countries, unless record setting 2 year old Sportswriter romps in the Breeders Crown and other races.

This weekend, we'll see if the great Muscle Hill can deal with heat racing in the Kentucky Futurity.  Muscle Hill is going into the 3rd leg of the trotting Triple Crown having won 17 straight races, and wins in his heat and the final can bring that up to 19.  That would tie Donato Hanover's consecutive wins streak.  All that would be left would be to win the race that both Donato and last year's champion 3 year old trotter, Deweycheatumnhowe(a winner of 15 straight races and 22 of 25 in his career) faltered in, the Breeders Crown(elims + final).  Should Muscle Hill remain undefeated and sweep the Breeders Crown elim and final, he very well might be considered the greatest 3 year old trotter in history, something which some writers are already suggesting.

Jock fees vary jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

It's a job, a risky one, but like firemen, policemen etc these guys/girls have a calling for it.

Just like a lot of us who give up a lot of our lives to pursue our calling in life.

Racing rewards the winners, whether that's the gamblers, the owners, the trainers or the jocks.

Think a minute, you ride 3 mounts at $55 per, that's $165 per day minimum 4 days per week. If you aren't a regular exercise rider for the horse or the trainer's employee that's another $ amt per horse per day.

IF you win ONE big race? You make more than the average person on this board does in a year.

Most of the owners I KNOW, donate to the injured jockey's fund.

IF you can't bring a horse in WPS in a race and get that %? I'd say you're in the wrong profession.

These guys CHOOSE to do this. THEY KNOW it's dangerous, but they don't have someone forcing them to do it and MOST can't bear to leave it.

It's a danger to ANY person who works with these animals whether as a trainer, hot walker, groom, rider etc. Why do you think it's required at ANY horse event to have a warning posted that it's an inately risky activity? Why do you THINK these shows, rodeos and events all make the riders sign waivers?

Just riding around the ranch/farm can get you hurt. Kicked in the head, bit, bucked off. I know lots of cowboys who have been killed, broke their backs etc all for a cowboy wage. Dang sure isn't $55 a mount.

Just ask Dani how dangerous it is, even if you're doing it for FREE.

Just like bull riders. It's not just a job they CRAVE that excitement. Heck they don't even get day/mount money and THEY pay their OWN entry fees, risking their lives every time they get on a bull.

Some of the super wealthy owners can afford to pay jocks more (you know that in addition to the winning mount money, a LOT of owners stake jockeys, buy them tickets, give them a 'bonus'?).

But the average owner is already paying for the horse, paying for the care, paying the entry fees, paying all the other variables and getting zilch at most tracks if we finish lower than 5th?

Not every owner is super wealthy, not every one of us has money to burn. But, most of us are ALWAYS willing to pitch in and help in any way we can.

Merely replacing faded stars with new stars isn't enough to insure the survival of the sport. That happens everywhere you go and in every walk of life. Horse Racing doesn't hold a monopoly on that and that doesn't insure a future.

You called Horse Racing "The Sport Of Kings" but does that really mean anything? It's more like the sport of the rich and famous. They are the ones who participate on every level. Us mere "peasants" are there to provide revenue. Those who don't gamble are merely "window shoppers". If you only follow the sport by loving horses and watching races then you aren't really doing much to help it along in the way of much needed revenues. Other major sports are similar in these ways but they have a huge number of revenue producing resources that Horse Racing will never have. The big challenge is not to produce more fans but to produce more fans who actually put money into the system. That's a tough sell but that's what is needed for Horse Racing to survive.

cmen0w,

Your insight is much appreciated. Don't be bothered by draynay aka "The Liar". He exists here to twist peoples words and argue. Some people have nothing better to do. Thanks again for your input, I for one find it humble and insightful.

By the way I love how you called him out when you asked if he has donated to the MacBeth fund. My guess is a resounding no. He loves to play high and mighty with peoples words but if he truly cared he'd be supporting that cause himself.

I guess I should learn how to play poker but i know i would lose

their take-out rate cant be very high

Too many peta members in Canada-they will put Woodbine and Hasting out of service soon.

No people show up to watch Woodbine races inspite of big purses

Hey Gunbow

Still off topic.

If Muscle Hill should lose before the end of the year, do you still think he's done enough to be HOY?  Well Said has had a tough campaign, but so has Muscle Hill.  Should be interesting.  If Muscle Hill wins, HOY is his hands down and he is right up there with the best all time, no matter what gait.

Steve S

You're right about Woodbine.....there seems to be more experts there than bettors.....I also think the slots have blown their purse structure way out of line.....The large purses don't seem to be doing much to improve the Canadian breed overall, and they don't seem to be drawing many new owners to the sport.....You will have a hard time (other than a stakes race) finding a race there where the win pool gets to 100K for a race and yet they have allowance races for as high as 101K and tons in the 60-80K range.....My problem with the slots now is that someday the roof is going to fall in.....there are too many opportunities for people to gamble their lives away and sooner or later it's all going to come crashing down.....another thing is, Woodbine apparently draws an average of 15,000 people a day to their casino, and yet the stands are empty.

Tim G,

    Thank you for your post. You are right we do have our disagreements, and even though some have gotten pretty livid, you can rest assured i still have respect for any knowledgeble people on this blog, and your one of them.

Canadian racing and American racing? Canadian way of thinking vs American way?  Even though we border each other? Not the same.

Availability of population to GO to the races in neighboring states? Not the same. NO offense intended, just a different culture.

It's been 10-12 years since some of these racinos have come to pass and it still seems to be working fine. Some of the ones I've been to in other states? The track is packed and the casino is packed. Maybe it's the limitation on # of machines and the overflow ends up in the race track part (but I doubt that.) The casino portion of the track is usually open MUCH longer hours and on days when there is no live racing and not much simulcast action.

IF it is handled and set up to succeed and NOT fail it will work.

People that are going to gamble? They're going to find a way to do it. The thought in most of these venues is that people will pack the Indian casinos, the riverboat casinos so if they're going to go to those and the neighboring states who HAVE it why would we shoot ourselves in the foot and say oh no, no gambling here at OUR race track. (strange wagering on horses IS gambling).

The structure of gambling crashing down? THAT is what drives horse racing. THE HANDLE.

The biggest most avid fans in the world won't do it, that's operating expenses for the tracks.

The only way golf and NASCAR can do it are big time sponsors. The only way the NFL, NBA can do it is exhorbitant ticket prices and BIG time sponsorship.

IF slots are allowed in neighboring states? The states that don't have them can't survive. Look at NM, AR and LA in contrast to OK, TX, KS and AZ for example.

If free standing or race track casinos aren't allowed at all? Those SAME people will still be spending their money in one somewhere.

Know for a fact that a LOT of the folks who used to travel from NM to Las Vegas (and it's a LOT of them, just ask my relation), just go to one of their race track, or dozens of Indian casinos.

Casino style gambling may come crashing down some day (well, it's been around almost since time began). But, racing is crashing down RIGHT NOW.

Hey, no problem Dani. I agree with some and enjoy a LOT of what you have to say.

Not everything of course, but that's what makes America great right?

Steve S. -

unfortunately yes the casino stays and the track goes. I don't get it either. And it will be called Hollywood Park Tomorrow minus Hollywood Park.

I am really looking forward to the Jockey Gold and I am afraid Macho Again may chalk up another 2nd place. Summer Bird will not catch mud this time.  I looks like a fast Dry track and I am going with Quality Road to dominate from start to finish.  The outside post should only help.  Quality Road holds off a late charging Macho Again with Summer Bird picking up the bottom for Show.

Laz:

If Muscle Hill wins out he's the US + Canadian Horse of the Year. If he should falter in the Kentucky Futurity and/or the Breeders Crown, it will open the door for HoY to one horse and one horse only, Well Said.  Of course, Well Said would have to win his remaining races, including the Breeders Crown while Muscle Hill loses his.  Well Said has been the Horse of the Month in 3 of the last 4 months and is 10 for 12 on the year with almost identical earnings to Muscle Hill. Thus, it could be close if Muscle Hill loses a few and Well Said wins out.  If Muscle Hill remains undefeated, however, HoY is his.

It says alot about the two horses that Ron Pierce is adament that Well Said is the best pacer he has ever driven in his illustrious career while the equally successful Brian Sears claims that Muscle Hill is the best trotter he has driven.  Additionally, Well's Said's owner, Jeffrey Snyder, says that he is the best pacer he has ever owned, and he owned 2005 Pacer of the Year, Rocknroll Hanover(who I saw in person win the North America Cup) and 1994 Horse of the Year, Cam's Card Shark.  Pierce, Sears, and Snyder provide strong evidence to just how good these 2 horses are.

Are you familiar with a pacer named Mr. Feelgood? He's now 6 years old and was bred in Ontario. I saw him in 2005 as a 2 year old win the Metro Pace consolation at Mohawk and in 2006 as a 3 year old win the Ontario Sired Stakes Gold Final at Windsor.  Anyways, he was sent over to Australia in early 2008 and was just named the Australiasian 2008-2009 Horse of the Year.  Evidently, he has won a number of big races there, including a million dollar race.

steve s + Laz:

I was at Woodbine Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th of September.  The big day was Sunday, with the gr.1 Woodbine Mile, gr.1 Northern Dancer, and gr.2 Canadian featuring Forever Together.  For most of the day, including through the latter 2 races, the grandstand(lower grandstand) was about half full.  Then, in the 20 minutes preceding the Woodbine Mile, there was a massive migration of patrons who had been holed up in the casino, moving outside and filling up the grandstand. Thus, by the time the Woodbine Mile went off, the stands were packed.  Then, 10 minutes after the Woodbine Mile, at least half the folks in the stands retreated back inside.

So, the bad news was that about half the people at Woodbine were in the casino rather than the racetrack most of the day. However, at least a large number of these casino patrons were informed enough and interested enough to catch the $1 million race.  

Today was not a good day to be at Oak Tree at SA, since a 2yo broke down and died, and a 6yo was pulled up.  I noticed that yesterday, on opening day, there were 6 veterinarian scratches (!), resulting in not a single breakdown or "bad step", although a 2yo did not return to be unsaddled and was vanned off after completing the race.  Today there were no vet scratches.

Tim G,

    That is what makes America great. Another thing is too, the fact that anybody or anything can go from hitting rock bottom to rising to the pincle of their career again. Just because we have had tough times does not mean that we can't once again rise up. That is what also makes America great.

Matthew W.  Wasn't suggesting CC or Mr. Hot Stuff was in the same league as POTN.  Rather saying on that track CC managed to be a little closer to POTN than on dirt.  The same argument could be made for "Horse for Course" Col John.  Keep him at Santa Anita where he wins.

Gun Bow and Laz- I love reading your discussions about the harness horses.  I'm still back in the days of Bret Hanover- well a little more recent, but maybe a decade or two.  I did See Muscle Hill on one of the racing channels though.  Very impressive.

Gun Bow- the pacers and trotters in Australia- are they mainly mile races like here, or are they more like the Euros with marathon races?

Footlick

Funny you brought up Bret Hanover.....I was telling Gunbow about him on an earlier blog....He won something like 58 of 62, a legend.....I saw him once at Greenwood in Toronto....Totally awesome.

A day late and a dollar short like usual..but I love this guest blog. Most of you have forgotten more about racing than I will ever know (LDP) but that is what keeps me coming back. Plus, I can't find anyone else to talk racing with me LOL.

Karen 2,

    If you want to e-mail me or have a FB, we can become friends. I too have nobody to talk racing with, yet love to talk it all the time.

Horse racing fans should be allowed to to be more involved with racing....i.e., have a real race fan give their Pick 6 picks on live tv, or have a race calling contest, etc.   Or, how about letting the fans vote on the next Kentucky Derby logo?  I have heard way too many fans complain about the poor designs.  Who wants to buy an ugly Derby glass, cap, etc.?

Have artists submit designs, then put them on the C.D. website and let the fans vote!  GET THE FANS INVOLVED!!!!