Leadership Points

re: Leadership Points

merrywriter — Sun, 10 May 2009 18:51:05 GMT

NTRA, BloodHorse, Wikipedia or whoever need to have a dictionary of racing terms - it's nigh impossible to follow this sport with its crazy terms, if you are new to it - few parents can explain them to their kids either.

ESPN coverage pre-derby was OK, but every year they do not cover all 20 horses, and then someone like Mine That Bird comes from off the radar - ALL horses should be touted. NBC did a good job of the derby itself because it allowed us to see Bo-rail's absolute jubilation in pulling a fast one. I was so thankful it was not cut off.

But whether the "wise guys" believe it or not, one of the best things for racing was to have "Ladies Day" Friday on Bravo. Although all roads lead to the paddock for me personally, most women care about hats and fashion, how to make a mint julip and bourbon pork, and who's who at the Downs with everyone in pink to fight against breast cancer. I hope this will be expanded.

If you don't believe me about the "new" racing fan go to YouTube to RailBird Pictures and her "Kentucky Derby 2009 ~ It's All About the Hats [Race Included]." This lady knows her horses, gives accurate glimpses of the beauty and craziness of the day (including the Port-a-Potty race), plus the sound of the crowd as the horses take off is NEVER recorded by NBC, ESPN, ect. - no wonder some horses get spooked (and no wonder MTB won as Woolley said, "Nothing bothers this horse.")

Education for new fans, no drugs, safer tracks, humane treatment of the racers including retirement for all, less foals, and longer racing for horses so fans can stay "in love," and moving over for the likes of women and families will all go along way to a resurgence of horse racing - Oh, BTW, watch the Handle increase too.

re: Leadership Points

FSF — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:22:22 GMT

I like dahoss' suggestions re: museums and former racehorses as part of the appeal for families wanting to go to the track. I grew up just outside of Saratoga (which obviously has that "atmosphere" thing down :) ) and have really fond memories of getting up at dawn to go to breakfast trackside with my dad, then heading to the National Racing Hall of Fame until the races started in the afternoon. As I grew up, it helped that a lot of the people who worked at the track (concessions, etc., and even some very lucky hotwalkers) were teenagers that I knew.

I think the track staff go a long way towards creating a friendly, welcoming vibe. When the staff know something about the history of the track and its most famous horses, it makes the whole experience much more horse-centric, which I think is more friendly than just a myopic focus on betting. Case in point...my husband and I were in San Diego a few weeks ago, and, driving up the coast, just happened to realize we were getting off at the same exit as Del Mar. I had never been, and he was open to dropping by just to see if we might get a glimpse of the track (adding one more to our "tracks we've been to list.") Even though there wasn't live racing, and it turned out there was a pretty big horse show going on, the guard sitting at the front security desk happily agreed to take us on a free tour of the grounds. He ended up being a walking encylopedia of the place, giving us the history back to Bing Crosby and talking about how the track has changed, as well as his favorite horses that had raced there. He was just the kind of friendly, unassuming person that I think would make a racing newcomer feel comfortable, even while leading them through the (in my opinion) dreary off track betting area.

But at the end of the day, since not everyone will be able to make a trip to a track, I really hope that racing can stop this downward spiral of little-to-know media coverage. What happened to the good ol' days of being on "Wide World of Sports?" On ESPN over Derby weekend, I noticed that there was a several-hours long marathon of PEOPLE PLAYING FOOTBALL VIDEO GAMES! I couldn't believe my eyes! ESPN wouldn't show the Oaks, but they would show people literally sitting in front of a TV playing video games????? To me, that is the heart of the problem. We need to keep encouraging racing fans to write to ESPN every time they don't show a big race, but also compliment them when they do. They need to know that there is demand for coverage, because whatever focus groups they've put together seem to have convinced them that there isn't.

re: Leadership Points

DANYLSON — Wed, 06 May 2009 16:30:53 GMT

GOOD ARTICLE.CREATIVITY IS THE NAME OF THE GAME. THE TRACKS NEED TO BECOME MORE FAN FRIENDLY, I'VE TAKEN SOME FRIENDS TO THE TRACK AND SOMETIMES THEY BECOME INTIMIDATED BY THE GROUPS THAT FORM..I'LL GIVE YOU SOME EXAMPLES, YOU GOT THE HARDCORE GAMBLERS AND ANY TRACK YOU GO TO THEY ARE IN GROUPS, SCREAMING LIKE CRAZY ROOTING FOR THEIR HORSE GENERALLY THEY RESIDE AROUND THE GRANDSTAND, THE SCREAMING CAUSES INTIMIDATION FOR FAMILIES WITH KIDS, COMMENTS LIKE," WHY IS THAT GUY SCREAMING LIKE CRAZY" FROM A CHILD. MY WISE ANSWER WAS ONCE YOU LOVE THE HORSE YOU SCREAM THAT LOUD!!TRACKS NEED TO BECAME FAMILY FRIENDLY, THERE IS WERE THE POPULARITY WILL SOAR, LOOK AT BASKETBALL GAMES,FOOTBALL GAMES THEY ARE FAMILY FRIENDLY AT THAT IS WHY THEY HAVE CONSTANT FANS..CERTAINLY IT IS HARD TOPIC BUT LITTLE THINGS CHANGE INDUSTRIES.

re: Leadership Points

David — Wed, 06 May 2009 16:28:11 GMT

Consensus on the safest racing surface, uniform rules and regulations, more secure tote systems, more unity and less litigation, a workable formula for backstretch contractor insurance are but a short list of major issues facing the Thoroughbred industry. Unfortunately, solutions won’t directly address the biggest problem – diminishing consumer demand. What would result, however, is firm footing necessary in the attempt to attract new blood. Racing is fortunate to have Mr. D’s participation and, as he says, it is time for those who have been part of the problem to step aside. Gone is the day whereby a litany of why things can’t work stops or delays action. The sky’s not falling but the ceiling has been pretty low of late.

re: Leadership Points

Whatever — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:21:43 GMT

I'm happy to read that the excessive number of foals being born each year has captured someone's attention. I am totally against overbreeding and the name Ernie Paragello comes to mind. I wonder where those 150 plus unwanted thoroughbred horses, that were on his farm NY, will eventually end up.

re: Leadership Points

da3hoss — Wed, 06 May 2009 12:24:33 GMT

Good article...the one thing about this year..attendance was still great because tickets for this had to be bought last year, at least...it will be interesting next year & even the next just how much people were willing to spend now.

Plus, I've long advocated a family atmosphere...it's like NASCAR or even motorcycle riding, you'll always have the old school originals, as should be, but could you survive without the other 99% helping to foot the bill and/or legislation, LOL...

Creating a friendly day at the races isn't that hard, I think every major track, at least, should have a Museum and at least one or two retirees who were "famous" for their exploits at that track, at least during track meets.

There are hundreds of thousands of horse-crazy people who totally rule out horse racing as "fun"...that perception is not always their fault.

re: Leadership Points

barb — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:13:29 GMT

As mentioned fewer foals are being bred and stud prices are down. I think this will have many positive affects on racing in general. It may be a great incentive to owners to keep their horses in trainging longer as it would make them more valuable at stud if they have longer campaigns thus proving their durability and giving them greater chances to prove their talent. Not to mention giving the fans a chance to really fall in love with a horse...I loved Evening Attire WAY more than Big Brown or Curlin or even(heresy!) Barbaro because I KNEW him for years(and he was awesome). I also noticed that the tv ratings for the Derby were up this year, best in 17 years! I think we can thank Eight Belles for that, there was sooo much publicity last year that it was sure to get people to watch this year. And the people who were watching for the first time sure got a show!! Anyway great article. I hope the future IS rosy for racing.