Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

Dusty — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 20:05:33 GMT

Let me tell you a little story from a country far, far away.

When I was in high school, I was racing-mad. I would buy the daily paper (pre-Internet) and read up on all my favourites. For a few years, whoever did the sport pages really favoured racing, and there was plenty to read up, plenty of juicy tidbits, plenty of pictures. I never missed a race on TV if one of my favourites was running.

And then slowly the racing page changed to bland lists of form for the next meeting, heavy blocks of data of interest only to bettors. And I stopped reading.

And then my country started a national lottery, and relaxed the gambling laws, so all the bettors switched to that anyway. And now there are only two annual races that are televised, across the whole country, and of the three nearest tracks, two are left.

I now follow American racing...

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

Ryafan — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:45:28 GMT

I think one of the largest obstacles in front of racing is that I doubt it will ever be of one mind without public backfighting, mandating an untested surface for the track to get racing dates, denying it even exhisted, then admitting it did by reminding the track holder to submit a darn waiver for it at a Public Meetting, no less. Everyone then involved is now pointing fingers at the other, but I can certainly tell you one place they cannot be pointed at, the breeders in California who get to vote on Broodmare of the Year in California but had no clue as to what type of surface they could or should breed thier horses to! We did not just lose "the small breeder" we lost whole Farms, and major farms at that. It decimated the entire Industry here, and I doubt it will recover. I've seen or known of more horses starving or in need of rescue here then I've ever seen breakdown, and no, I do not ever want to see that either, yet now it is going to be a partial year sythetic, partial dirt so pick a dart. I understand the objections over take out, etc. Yet what I will never understand is how any of these departments get together and say "Hey now, let us do the math, a foal crop of only 1,500, expected, so let us put our heads together and figure out how to fix this now, instead of biting off each others heads, or backs, in most cases.

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

ThoroFan — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 15:45:09 GMT

Perfect piece. ThoroFan, a Non-profit, Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc espouses those very same points. www.thorofan.com Check us out. The more members, the louder our voice. Maybe things will change! We have to try.

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

Pazzo Pupo — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 19:31:34 GMT

I share in the author's lament about access & exposure to the thoroughbreds & their training--

& I applaud Merry's observation about our evolving attitudes & moral values regarding the rights & welfare of horses--thoroughbreds & otherwise, & other non-human animal species.

The thoroughbred racing industry must do more on behalf of all the horses that are bred to race--whether they ever win a single dollar at the race-track.

In my humble opinion, the basic moral principle guiding the industry ought to be that every throroughbred life brought into being through breeding ought to be associated with a life-long commitment from that individual or group to ensure that horse's well-being no matter the performance of the horse on or off the race-track.

Should such an enlightened moral commitment ever be made & enacted by the industry & the humans integral to it than I believe we would truly see the dawn of a new & better day for everyone--human & non-human alike, involved in this unique--& even the larger, world.

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

swaps — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 13:55:38 GMT

In order to make his point, Mr. Gold disparages efforts like slots, attracting new owners, and lowered takeout. He is amazingly naive about marketing for a CEO. These efforts are not treating fans as "ATMs to be milked." For instance, lowering takeout is very consumer oriented. As for attracting new owner, this could not be more important and modern marketing techniques like data mining are required. In order to make his own case, Mr. Gold tries to discredit others.

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

Gregg — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 21:27:15 GMT

An overdue yet underdone comment about racetrack access. I very firmly believe Keeneland's success with on track attendence can be linked to all hours access to the track AND the stable area.

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

CatJ — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 17:22:48 GMT

My husband and I are long time thoroughbred racing fans. When I watch the Triple Crown Races on television, there are amazing and beautiful commercials about racing. Why not run these commercials during programming other than horse racing? Seems to me you are already preaching to the choir. We attended the Breeders Cup at Churchill. My gripe was the inability to purchase just 2 seats in the clubhouse section. You had to purchase 6 (an entire box) to be seated in the clubhouse. Why did it have to be so difficult to purchase a couple of nice seats? Racing fans don't mind sitting with strangers! Santa Anita did not handle seating this way. One last comment, we own a popular wine store. All of our customers know of our love for horse racing and with our excitement over attending the Breeders Cup and the publicity about Zenyatta, it amazed us how many people told us that they had never watched the Cup or even heard of it before. Countless people let us know that they watched and rooted for Zenyatta. I know interest has been stirred up in these people beyond just the Derby.

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

horselove — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 17:08:49 GMT

Another thing that I thought was wonderful was the show "Jockey's". I watched it all the time, and I learned so much about the riders, and that they are more than little people on big horses. They are interesting. I am a huge fan of Mike Smith and Gary Stevens. Gary wasn't on it, but he has done other things. Joe Talamo and Chantel Sutherland (spelling?). Those people are as interesting to me as the horses are.

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

wendyg — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 17:04:03 GMT

Good example of the lack of communication and openness is Rachel Alexandra. Where is she? Did she drop off the face of the planet? Has she been bred? Is she well? Who knows.

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

Sunny Farm — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 05:34:21 GMT

This was a really nice article. One of the things that has always surprised me is the lack of information available for the Thoroughbred OUTSIDE of racing and racing media. If you read any general horse magazine, like Horse Illustrated, EQUUS, Western Horsemen , etc,you seldom see even ONE ad for a Thoroughbred , race tracks, Breeders Cup,The Jockey Club, etc. Many readers are young readers and when they read horse magazines, they generally evolve into one specialized sport or breed.

An informational kiosk or brochure located where other advertisers place these things would also help. The new-comers must be invited in. When I first began breeding Thoroughbred racehorses, many in the business told me "The busines is really hard to break into''. (It has been, and is not a very welcoming sport.) I can understand why horse-owners soon go on to other more welcoming venues. There should be an awarness that not every trainer or breeder is an old hand & if you want more people to be involved , help educate them and help get them to the races. If and when there is a real change to drug abuse in the race horse, you will find that many new trainers will emerge. Many won't even try because the first thing they say is "It is very exspensive and why bother when your racing against so many cheaters / druggers of horses''Honestly, this IS the first thing other horse-owners have told me & is therefore thier perception of racing.It is also what I have heard from those in the sport of racing.

We need more welcoming of the public & awareness out -side of the industry, and more FUN.

We need less claiming races, times have changed. With the economy ,more owners are racing thier horses instead of selling them. Not everyone would want to raise, train and then race thier home-bred(Who has also become part of the family )and see there are few choices other than a claiming race where they could lose thier horse! Why not make a few 'beginner races''for new -comers ? Or Ideas similar to this will bring in new trainers and more entries...they will bring thier friends who will become new fans. We must race with integrity, set a good example, have strict anti-drug laws in ALL tracks and invite new owners & trainers,as well as fans. I think the fans are treated better than any new-comer-trainers, who get very little attention or help, yet put on the show.

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

Rick Gold — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 03:35:42 GMT

To those who question whether a track or trainer could afford the time or money to put together an interesting web site, I offer this example from Aliy Zirkle, an Iditarod musher with a fraction of the budget: spkenneldoglog.blogspot.com/.../iditarod-2010-aliy-cam-on-happy-river.html

If you liked Mike Smith's helmet cam, check it out.

Rick

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

Monika P — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 18:26:37 GMT

This issue is particularly apparent in the network coverage of some of the major races. I personally don't care who wears what hat to the Kentucky Derby. Let's hear more about the horses. I am fortunate enough to have been a Thoroughbred owner for many years (sport horses, not race horses), and these magnificent animals provide enough human interest stories without needing to broadcast meaningless trivia about cookoffs, wardrobe, and betting celebrities.

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

NancyP — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 18:02:46 GMT

Rick,

Thank you for your thoughtful heartfelt article on the state of Thoroughbred racing in this country and it effect on all fans and lovers of the most beautiful being on the planet - The Horse.

I am first and foremost a lover of animals and horses in particular. After many years I put aside all other extracurricular activities and made it to Belmont to see the racing thoroughbred. I'm not a bettor, it doesn't interest me - whether it be Las Vegas, bingo, etc. On rare occasion I will place a bet (dreamed Big Brown would win the Derby). Love Zenyatta and placed a bet in BC. Even though she didn't win, I'll hang on to the ticket for the memories, because she ran a spectacular race against a tough field. In my opinion every thoroughbred is a winner just by surviving in this most risky of sport.

So, it pains me year after to read the fine thoughtful articles submitted, such as your article above, in the B-H magazine and B-H on-line with no thoughtful, or honest follow-up by the racing powers or industry at large. My viewpoint is that 'industry' is the killing operative. In today's modern context whether it's horse racing, oil, wall street or banking the only element that matters is the bottom line and Greed for more of whatever it is that turns them and their families on. That is the momentum killing horse racing.

Maybe it's time to repeal OTB and other off-track betting avenues, like Sunset legislation? Look at the OTB fiasco in New York State and NYRA's ills. It has brought NY racing to its knees. Once it was a racing jewel, now it is in a death spiral. Look at all the racing jurisdictions around the country-they are incomprehensible.

One final note - to the security guards at SA & HP who are looking forward to Zenyatta leaving - she kept you in a job - you should be grateful to her, because there is most likely someone who loves horses eager to step into your shoes!

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

L. Howard — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 05:38:57 GMT

I'm a recent fan of horse racing and although my home state (UT) only has very limited QH racing, I take whatever chances I can get to watch races out of state at places like GGF. One thing I've noticed is racing's failure to embrace new forms of technology that it could take advantage of, like twitter and iphone. I work on Saturdays and have to rush home in order to find out who's won major races, and have wished many a time that Equibase could have text-messaging based update system to go alongside their email one.

Blood horse is doing better in this regard than DRF, Equibase and lots of individual tracks, but I still feel like the industry may be missing the boat on this much in the same way they missed it with regard to TV.

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

Terry — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 04:27:10 GMT

Horse racing needs to promote itself. Tracks can out pre-written press releases so the info is correct, accompanied by photos and invites to the newspaper to come visit. Decades ago, I remember Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg doing something as simple as a goofy photo of four horses' heads side by side, looking like they were talking to each other. The caption just said "Horse racing starts Wednesday. Pass it along!" It was an eyecatcher & effective.

Many newspapers & TV stations won't bother sending a reporter & photographer to the track every week, but if the track keeps supplying human-interest stories WITH PHOTOS (video for TV), at least some of them will run. (Wayne Gretzky once said, "You miss every shot you don't take." Same here!) They can do stories about the 12-year-old claimer racing in his 100th race that weekend; the 80-year-old who is still training; the odd-coloured horse that is running that week (a fully-marked pinto horse ran at Assiniboia Downs last year); the hard-luck horse; the horse that loves Tootie Rolls; the horse that lives with a goat; and so on and so on. The track is full of stories that will grab the public's interest!

Hard-core gamblers will bet on anything. The track doesn't need to promote itself to attract them, because they will come anyway. The public will come to the track to see the horses. If the track markets itself properly, those first-time visitors will be enthralled, and become fans for life, but you have to let them know you are there and that the track is not just about betting, it's about beautiful horses.

The farms can do much the same thing to promote Thoroughbreds by sending out cute photos to the newspapers, sending stories of interesting events (foal survives near-death experience, retired runner now a champion foxhunter, champion mare has first foal, etc.). People want to know what happened to their old favourites and like to visit. Farms can have "visiting hours" or allow people to make an appointment, but they need to let the media know about it. This can benefit the farms too. Some of those visitors will become fans that will buy a racehorse in the future, or just get hooked on racing as a result of seeing a once-famous horse in person at the farm or watching a bunch of yearlings or broodmares come to the fence for petting.

Getting kids interested is crucial. They grow up to be owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms or fans when they have a good experience at the track or at a farm. They don't care about anything but seeing, meeting and hopefully petting the beautiful horses. And ultimately, isn't it the HORSES that people love most about horse racing?

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

CRob87 — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 02:00:18 GMT

Good ideas in general.

But.....personally I think that the Industry "Could Possibly" build it's new fan base better if it looked at it from the ground up instead of from the top down as it has been doing.

There are more people in the world who "Could" purchase or "Claim" a horse for $5,000 at Beulah Park than who could for $50,000 at Belmont.

Maybe....."IF" the Industry tried to help the Owners of bottom claimers (For A Change), then maybe they could stick around in the business a lot longer. And or even "Possibly" go up the ladder within it (Eventually) instead of going Bankrupt.

The main idea (For A Start) that I have is to "Re-distribute" the payoff percentages according to the finishing order.

The old standard (I Believe???) was 60-20-10-5-3-2. Honestly....What is 2-3 or even 5% going to make for that Owner of a bottom claimer ??? Not much. They are still going to lose money for the day overall with all expenses accounted for within that single day.

Maybe it should be something like 50-20-10-10-10. At least 10% "Could Possibly" at least pay for that days expenses ??? And with todays smaller field sizes even if you finish 5th your still beating half of the field.

Just trying to think in Reverse or Outside of the box !!!!

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

Tales Untold — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 06:51:31 GMT

I am a new fan of horseracing and will decide when I hear the outcome of

Life At Ten's Breeder Cup Tragedy.

And to think Lane's End will probably lock Zenyatta down and the people that love her will never see her again, thats a big mistake..your article seems correct to me a new fan...possibly short term fan..

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

Mike C — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 06:47:42 GMT

Create a professional website that googles high for words like horse, farm, vet, foal, babies, nature etc??

and link it to a few big farms Adena, Claiborne, Gainesway ? live cam of new foals stalls and their paddocks. Then try to bring as many viewers as possible especially the kids. In twenty plus years I have never grown tired of watching them play, it leaves one with a strong feeling of admiration and contentment!

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

Lorri S — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 04:17:39 GMT

At last, great ideas. But how to get them into play? That's the question. One sport, one set of rules would be a good start. Too many chiefs and not enough indians in racing at the moment. Santa Anita staged the best BC in years in '09 but this year it all went downhill in KY with jockeys brawling, horses euthanazed, the LAT incident, arguably the best turf horse in the world in Workforce being scratched because the turf was too hard or soft or overwatered, depending on which journalist you listened to. This had the makings of the best year yet with Zenyatta and Goldikova grabbing headlines but didn't turn out like that at all. I've made my living in this sport for the last 15 years but it's frustrated me to the point that I have to seek greener pastures overseas. We have great owners, trainer, jockeys and backstretch essential hands here but the politicians, developers,(who have their eyes on the prime real estate of the tracks) and some business types are not keeping up their end. We seem to be one step behind all the time. Zenyatta's been around for 4 years. Why now, at the 11th hour have the media just discovered her and promoted her? It's too late, the boats sailed. Thousands upon thousands of jobs rely on the racing industry in this country and these days we cannot afford to lose one of them. The powers that be need to wake up before every track in this country resembles a ghost town.

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

Denmark — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 01:15:33 GMT

I was one of the fortunate that got to see Zenyatta in her daily activities, walking after excercise, her bath, grazing and had my picture taken while hugging her (she feels like velvet). It was an eye opener. While she was bathing - a man next to me got a call, he had cancelled a meeting to be there. He told whoever was calling "I'm in front of greatness" - I looked at him and he was serious. 40 plus people were there including a couple from St. Louis who flew in just to see her and go to Zenyatta day on Sunday. All her connections were gracious hosts. I don't see too many trainers opening their barns to such scrutiny. Santa Anita does have backside tours and they are great tours. You usually see Bruce Headly on on of his greats and he's very hands on. Jockeys are very friendly. We need more trainers to be open to the public. This would help with the "doping" myth and that they have something to hide. I, too, hate that she's going to Lands End. I just pray that do right by her.

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

CHoffman — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 22:01:42 GMT

I live in the land of PR - that thirty mile zone called Hollywood - and any failure for something to get out and turn into a phenomenal success is a failure to promote. Owners, tracks and writers need to get the word out to the media that matters: mainstream media. It's why Sarah Palin is so big. She has great PR. Seabiscuit had a big mouth for an owner and got his little mug in the papers constantly. Not just the racing papers either. The animal beat out Hitler for print space. People across the country hung on his every tail swish. Racing has been too hush hush. We have another possible great coming after Zenyatta: Uncle Mo. The only publicity he's getting is Facebook and DRF. The industry can't make the mistake with him that was made with the Queen. When Zenyatta won the 2009 BC I chided ABC for not even mentioning her on Good Morning America when they actually bring the winner of the Westminster Dog Show on set. ABC owns ESPN. Zenyatta wasn't important enough for them to bother with because no one promoted her or her sport. CBS had to do it finally. And they did it too late. Face it, the racing industry has to get it's collective self together, stop being so regional, stop being so local, and hire a good PR firm to nationally promote racing. Not as an abstraction, but find a horse or two to hang out there and hype hype hype. Find a rivalry like the RA vs. Z we had going. Keep the hot shots in the paper. Keep the big winners up front and personal. We need to send out a release to Rupert Murdock personally when the animal sneezes. Market race horses as the only pure and honest athletes left in a world of 'roid enhanced, adulterers. Listen, PR firms can turn the stuff you find on the stable floor into the latest must have. I'm certain they can do it with the animal that deposits it if the racing industry gets it's head out from under the horse's tail.

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

greg s. — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:45:20 GMT

One of the best racing related times I have ever had was the entire week of Breeders Cup 2009 at Santa Anita. As mentioned earlier, the track is open to the public every morning during workouts and one can enjoy an inexpensive breakfast at Clockers Corner rubbing elbows with owners, trainers and jockeys.

Every morning during Breeders Cup week each BC horse wore a saddle cloth bearing its name (which doesn't usually happen unfortunately) and I took hundreds of photographs over several days which occupied me for months afterward as I became more familiar with the great horses, owners and trainers who were in California that week.

In this relaxed atmosphere, I had the chance to meet and chat with fellow fans as well as nationally recognized media correspondents, photographers and trainers.

It was a week that I'll never forget, and I was crushed when Santa Anita lost the chance earlier this year to host the Breeders Cup in the near future.

Fans from the East Coast, whom I met that week and were there with me every weekday morning, were as enthusiastic as I was... and were subsequently crushed when they travelled to Churchill Downs this year only to find out that they were not welcome at workouts.

I also want to second the praise for the Mosses and the Shirreffs and all of Zenyatta's connections who so obviously went the extra mile for us, her fans.

Thank you.

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

Bob Bright — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:11:28 GMT

Iditarider, I forgot the term for folks riding in the sled at the start. I'll bet the sled dogs were the star attraction when you travelled to the Iditarod. Alaska is incredible, the mushers are neat and all the colorfull characters are a hoot. But the Iditarod sled dog is something special just like the thoroughbred race horse. Musher or fan the main attraction is the dog. Dogs and horses are our best friends. Even somebody elses dog or horse. I'll bet your iditarider wife noticed the dogs were pulling the sled.

In the last few decades the breeding shed moguls and betting parlor insiders have hijacked the sport. Horse racing is now a support activity for the sole purpuse of enhancing the investment. The racing horse is now pushing the industry{ instead of pulling it.

When the sled dog becomes a support mechanism the Iditarod will fold.. Horse racing is travelling down the same trail.

The Breeders Cup produced some impressive young horses but the chance of the fans seeing them but just a few times is slim. Owners and trainers are now plotting how to get a huge payoff without having to race the horse more then a few times. No fans, no gate, no more Uncle Mo.

If raceing is in front pulling the industry instead of pushing there is a chance all parties can prosper.

This years HOTY debate is an example of the skewed direction. The breeders and betting insiders seem to favor Blame and the fans and hands-on horsemen are over the moon about Zenyatta. If the insiders hold sway all of the future fans Zenyatta brought into the sport will bail.

Without the public support, horse racing will die and the insiders won't have to worry about a weak sales market.

If I recall, Ruby, Alaska isn't exactly Saratoga but you and your wife travelled there to witness some of the best athletes on the planet. Most of them are pretty friendy just like Zenyatta.

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

AliciaMcQ — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 17:31:00 GMT

I still hope for the day where racing realizes that they can easily promote themselves as a family-friendly, free (or nearly free, depending on the track)entertainment. Prairie Meadows has ostrich and camel races and I went this summer during their Thoroughbred meet.....there were little kids so excited everywhere!! Kids love animals...and most places are kind of expensive in this recession. And I've heard rumors (while living in central Iowa) that PRM isn't such a fan of having racing, the investment in purses from the casino part cuts down on their income and this was the reason for the QH/Tbred separate seasons and the reduced Standardbred meet in 2010. This shows that we can't rely on racinos and wagering to solve all the problems. You can't make a rock bleed just like you can't make more gamblers and make them spend more money in a tight economy.

And I like the "PETA effect" comment early on. They pick and choose their videos to find the worst (fyi: most made NOT in the US or by US/Euro-owned facilities; which very few people know).....why can't we do the same? Trainers could easily promote their stars with video blogs on YouTube. Just film a workout or if you have a horse with a goofy personality film something usually mundane like hot-walking or bathing.

There are an incredible amount of opportunities out there....people keep talking and talking yet no one reaches out and utilizes them. Any racetrack HR people out there want to give me a job promoting racing, I'd be more than happy haha. But seriously....someone that cares about the racing industry needs to do it.

re: Reconnecting - By Rick Gold

breeze10 — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 14:55:39 GMT

Savannah!: Try this: Daily Racing Form: Glossary of Horse Racing Terms (www.drf.com/help/help glossary. It's a great starter to the terms and familiarization.

I have been saying for years (and to those directly associated with tracks) that the industry needs to start to listen to the "average joe"who goes to the track..bets his well and hard-earned money..and has the philosophy of "a bad day at the track is better than a good day anywhere else". Unfortunately, as I was once told, "it's about the money..the money crowd". (SAD! VERY SAD!) So,AGAIN,if anyone who has anything to do with racing is listening (REALLY listening !)..ask the "little guy"..you just may learn something! A great way to introduce a novice to the racing world is: throw a race-party, ie.a Kentucky Derby Party for friends, family, newcomers at a track on the specific race day. This worked so well for us a few years ago when we held a "Party/Picnic" complete with eats, contests, and racing fun on Kentucky Derby Day (at Delaware Park) that we actually recruited, with little effort, a number of new racing fans! It was fun for all and as an added bonus, the early-birds were able to watch the morning works at Delaware Park! Additionally, MONMOUTH PARK LISTENS! They are absolutely great..they welcome feed-back and respond to comments/suggestions...they are just the greatest and our favorite track!