Industry Voices

Time to Rewrite the Rules

aspradling — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 19:57:00 GMT

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

aspradling — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:43:00 GMT

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

Protecting the Breed

EJMitchellKy — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:22:00 GMT

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

aspradling — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:24:00 GMT

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?'

aspradling — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:30:00 GMT

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

Channeling  Competitive Anger by Donna Barton Brothers

aspradling — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:11:00 GMT

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

EJMitchellKy — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 22:32:00 GMT

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

aspradling — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:58:00 GMT

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

Blood-Horse Staff — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 19:16:00 GMT

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

Delaware Press Junket, 1969

aspradling — Tue, 24 May 2011 12:57:00 GMT

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

aspradling — Tue, 17 May 2011 12:31:00 GMT

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

aspradling — Tue, 03 May 2011 14:52:00 GMT

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

Blood-Horse Staff — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 17:54:00 GMT

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

TRF Should Redefine Its Mission - By Reiley McDonald

aspradling — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:17:00 GMT

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

Is Incremental Change Enough? - By Nick Willet

Blood-Horse Staff — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:22:00 GMT

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

Supporting the Alliance - By Antony Beck

Blood-Horse Staff — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 01:15:00 GMT

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

Five Ways to Improve the Industry

EJMitchellKy — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:35:00 GMT

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

A Tote/Wagering System for Everyone

EJMitchellKy — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:31:00 GMT

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

EJMitchellKy — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 14:22:00 GMT

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

Blood-Horse Staff — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:36:00 GMT

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

Blood-Horse Staff — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:03:00 GMT

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

Reserve 'Great' for Those That Deserve It

Blood-Horse Staff — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:37:00 GMT

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

cdawahare@bloodhorse.com — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:21:00 GMT

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

cdawahare@bloodhorse.com — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:23:00 GMT

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

cdawahare@bloodhorse.com — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:40:00 GMT

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)