Industry Voices

Time to Rewrite the Rules

2012-07-17T19:57:00Z

The horse industry has failed in its desire to stop the use of illegal drugs in horses....(read more)

Call to Action by Daniel Fuchs

2012-05-22T15:43:00Z

Kentucky needs a game-changer. Its equine economy is at stake....(read more)

Protecting the Breed

2012-03-29T20:22:00Z

Marketing executive Fred Pope proposes a new way for the American Graded Stakes Committee to preserve the integrity of the graded stakes system by eliminating race-day medication....(read more)

Balance of Power

2011-12-13T13:24:00Z

The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals recently called a high-profile turf contest between the West Virginia Racing Commission and the Charles Town racetrack. The stakes were for the control of horse racing. ...(read more)

Does West Virginia Case Imperil Racing 'Purity?'

2011-11-29T15:30:00Z

A new direction in equine regulatory law or an aberration by an activist court?...(read more)

Channeling  Competitive Anger by Donna Barton Brothers

2011-09-27T17:11:00Z

To be a top-level professional athlete, it’s not enough to want to win...you have to want it more than the next guy...(read more)

Time to Change the Structure, by Fred Pope

2011-09-11T22:32:00Z

Marketing executive Fred Pope discusses how transforming Thoroughbred racing into a talent-centric sport will create a platform for growth....(read more)

Broken Downs, 1978

2011-08-16T16:58:00Z

Beginning in the early 1960s, a year-long handicapping contest known as “Broken Downs” was held in the offices of The Morning Telegraph/Daily Racing Form. Conducted under the auspices of the fabled “Broken Downs Racing Association,” the competition attracted participants from the paper’s eastern region staff. ...(read more)

A Proposal for an Improved Pari-Mutuel Model - By Cal MacWilliam

2011-08-10T19:16:00Z

The easy solution: Only apply the takeout to the winning portion of the pool....(read more)

Delaware Press Junket, 1969

2011-05-24T12:57:00Z

With a big Memorial Day weekend of racing on tap, I am reminded of a bygone era when both media and horses were treated differently. ...(read more)

The Horseman - By Will Alberts

2011-05-17T12:31:00Z

Her drive and determination were always to do the best she could with what she had in any circumstance....(read more)

It's Time to Draw the Line - By Sen. Tom Udall and Rep. Ed Whitfield

2011-05-03T14:52:00Z

On the first Saturday in May, many Americans will turn their attention to Churchill Downs for the most exciting two minutes in sports. The best of horse racing will be on display for the 137th Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Away from the crowds, however, horse racing finds itself facing an unattractive reality. Too many of its equine athletes are overmedicated and doped. The Sport of Kings is no place for such a drug problem....(read more)

Make Earnings Matter - By Matthew Gatsas

2011-04-26T17:54:00Z

Thoroughbred racing pretty much ignores any prior achievements at its marquee events....(read more)

TRF Should Redefine Its Mission - By Reiley McDonald

2011-04-12T14:17:00Z

It is truly stunning that the TRF still has no humane  euthanasia policy....(read more)

Is Incremental Change Enough? - By Nick Willet

2011-04-05T20:22:00Z

If you create a compelling game, your fans will educate themselves to gain an edge....(read more)

Supporting the Alliance - By Antony Beck

2011-03-30T01:15:00Z

The NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance is the single most important initiative taking place in racing today. ...(read more)

Five Ways to Improve the Industry

2011-03-22T14:35:00Z

Thoroughbred racing industry professionals give their top five ways to improve the horse industry....(read more)

A Tote/Wagering System for Everyone

2011-03-17T00:31:00Z

Thoroughbred industry marketing executive Fred Pope makes an argument for a national, industry-owned tote system for Thoroughbred racing....(read more)

Pope: Reward Horses that Generate the Most Handle with Higher Purses

2011-02-03T14:22:00Z

Thoroughbred industry marketer Fred Pope outlines a plan to reward the owners of the most popular horses with bonus purse money. In general the "brand name" horses generating the most handle, should be reward with a percentage of that handle above the published purse amount....(read more)

Indices Can Tell Tale for Horse Industry

2010-09-15T18:36:00Z

The SMICM, in particular, is a resource for forming data-based expectations about the level of bloodstock prices in the short term, both at auction and privately....(read more)

News Feature: Frying Plan - By Tom LaMarra

2010-09-09T18:03:00Z

Movement to fix racing's flawed revenue model hits the wall....(read more)

Reserve 'Great' for Those That Deserve It

2010-08-31T18:37:00Z

Secretariat (1970-89) and Lombardi (1913-70) attained a level of performance very few, if any, will equal or surpass....(read more)

In Light of Economic Factors, Sale Held Its Own

2010-08-17T19:21:00Z

The August 2010 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected sale had the lowest average purchase price since 2002. However, in view of the macroeconomic environment in the United States and Europe, that result is not as negative as it appears to be at first glance....(read more)

Offtrack Betting Needs a Shift in Focus

2010-07-29T17:23:00Z

The New York City Off-Track Betting Corp. launched the first legal off-track betting operation in the United States in 1971 and took in $66,091 in opening-day handle. It had only two branches and a telephone betting center....(read more)

Fantasy Sports: An Opportunity - and a Competitor

2010-07-21T19:40:00Z

Horse racing needs to pay close attention, given the magnitude and growth trajectory of the fantasy-sports market. This segment of sports entertainment represents an increasingly important competitor for the gaming dollar. ...(read more)