Five Ways to Improve the Industry

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

Thehoarsehorseplayer — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 15:44:04 GMT

First of all horse racing has to get over its woe is me whining and start believing in itself.

From a gambling perspective it always will be a high end, high cost, operation which means in order to sustain itself it should be looking to attract the monopoly money crowd, the $1000 bettors not the ten centers. (It's a big tent, there's plenty of room for everybody, but Racing can't survive without the patronage of the wealthy and the daring)

Now I could go on and on, and the McKenzie people really should speak to me, but here's one specific idea: How about establishing a $1000 suite. A luxury lounge that offers sumptuous accomodations, free food and drink, the lastest in informtion delivery systems, etc, etc, etc.

To get in you have to pay $1000. You then receive a $1000 computer coded voucher for $1000 which you either put through the windows that day or lose.

The expectation is that when you establish such a venue at the track you'll establish a 'club' where the wealthy want to be and want to be seen. The expectation being the bettor committed to putting a $1000 through the window will actually churn much more in handle.

Of course, it has to be done first class, the patrons have to think they're being appreciated, but when the word gets out that you can be treated like royalty at the track people will show up to see what it is all about.

If they had a sporting time of it, if they felt they were treated like Kings by the sport of Kings, they'll be back with their friends and their money.

And yes, I think that the existence of such an room at the track, serving as a promise for the horse polloi that all they have to do to be treated like a king at the track is master the game to the point they feel comfortable putting a thousand dollars a day through the windows will create a vibrant energy born of a sense of destination and purpose (for putting in the effort to learn the game) that will trickle through the entire facility and indeed the entire industry.

But the same concept works for the litle guy also. How about, for a $100 a commitment a patron receives free admission, free program, and maybe a free hot dog and a drink?

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

JimmyTheGeek — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 12:23:43 GMT

I am avid player, LOVE the sport. But I am very surprised, and disturbed that no one mentioned the #1 reason a lot of gamblers dont bet the ponies... Jockeys deciding the outcome of the race. The #1 thing I hear from others that do not play ponies is the races are "fixed" and NOT BY DRUGS but by jockeys... I know me personally , I am still running a few races over in my mind, watching replays, clearly watching a jockey not allowing a horse to win, place or show.... dont hate on me for saying this ,It happens, it is a HUGE issue with gamblers that do not play ponies.. we ALL KNOW it is happening but we ALL seem very afraid to talk about it? If you poled gamblers, that do not play ponies and ask why, the biggest answer would be races are fixed, and NOT by drugs , but by the jockeys (who may or may not be taking instruction from owner/trainer or others?)

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

Craig Accardo — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 22:33:40 GMT

1. Owners have to have a better chance of making money. 5% of horses actually make money for their owners. No other professional franchise or organization has a 95% chance of losing money right from the start.

2. Learn from the casino's! I've been going to the track (Fair Grounds) for years and not one time did anyone ever offer me any perks. Not a free hotdog, admission to the clubhouse, free form, nothing. What happen to patronizing your patrons? Have a "players card" and swipe it everytime you enter, bet, etc. Track these people and offer them something to keep coming back.

3. Advertise! We must bring in new fans or the industry will die. Twilight night is a big hit. Why not every Friday night!

4. Make it affordable to own a horse. Syndicates have made it affordable but more people need to know about it.

5. Must have national standards on wagering, medications, etc. Too many people are doing too many things and nothing is consistant. Wagering at one track is different than other tracks. You can administer drugs in LA that you can't in CA. Too confusing for everyone.

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

racefund girl — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:51:29 GMT

I am glad to see some comments here from people who value the lives of the horses and say they need support from the industry for retirement. One thing that is uniform at all racetracks is purses, the horses deserve a percentage of purse money from all tracks, every race, every day for the care and rehabilitation so they can go on to new jobs and not on the slaughter truck to an unspeakable and cruel death. This industry must support it's own. Vice President the RACE Fund. www.racefund.org

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

granville handicapper — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:23:54 GMT

I have been a racing fan 45+ years for what that is worth.

Use Churchill as an example. They spent millions on the clubhouse and suites but the grandstand is a dump. The tv's are very old and the sound system should be turned off. I have been at most of the BC's there and they thought the crowd was great last year but section 111 in the Clubhouse was empty. I cannot imagine any track has worse seats than 111.

When they sold out a few BC's their ticket policy was idiotic as was Santa Anita's. The big tracks do not worry about their fans.

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

Pulled Up in Stretch — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 21:56:18 GMT

Another very important aspect to the non-professional but avid and frequent horse player is a total re-work of the IRS rules concerning gambling winnings! They are very unfair and far slanted toward the IRS it is ridiculous! No gambler should have to report any winnings on their tax return! Eliminate w-2s. All taxes should come out at the window in an overall small percentage for minor winnings, say one half of one percent and for 'former' w-2 winnings it could be 5 to 10 percent. Sorry professionals, the price you pay to go for the gusto!

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

Long Time Horse Player — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:14:36 GMT

All that consensus of five ways to

fix racing, along with:

Live Internet Streaming from all

major Horse Tracks.

24 hour Horseracing cable channel.

And most of all lower the takeouts for the bettors who grease

the wheels that make the industry

run.

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

TRF500 — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:03:56 GMT

I found it interesting that a trade magazine the size of Blood-Horse reported only 29 people responded to “ 5 Ways to Improve The Horse racing Industry” . I expected a lot more. Now I understand why only two people so far have filled out the online TRF500 Horse Racing Survey. tbredfortune500.com/trf500survey.html. Part of the survey offers solutions and asks would you support such measures. It addresses marketing, unwanted horses, facilities, gambling, time between races and more. The survey gives you an opportunity to offers solutions through your comments. Comments from 29 people will not impress industry leaders. It will take a few thousand. We love to talk about saving horse racing but when I ask people to get involved all I hear is crickets.

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

Lindsay S. — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 02:29:46 GMT

I have many horse owning and horse loving friends. So one day I sat them all down and asked them why none of them enjoys watching horse racing. They said: get rid of the whips. Let the horses run on their own courage. You don't see mushers whipping sled dogs. The dogs just plain love to run. Second, end all 2 year old racing. They know that racing a 2year old means that somebody had to break and ride it when is was a yearling! Horse are not mature physically until they are 5. They wanted to see the Kentucky Derby changed into a race for 4 year olds. They also want to be sure that someone will be responsible for the care of the horses after their racing career is over.

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

James Gorski (Owner/Breeder) — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 23:31:06 GMT

1. Zero tolerance drug policy using IOC guidelines with strict suspensions

2. National governing body

3. Eliminate Claiming races and use sales races instead

4. Eliminate restricted races

5. Bring back money from offshore betting sites

6. Provide a retirement account for every horse bred paid for by breeders, stallion owners, track takeout and purses

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

Robert West Waterford Millford Farm — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 20:07:03 GMT

What is the one thing that all racetrack owners will agree on? They all want to make more money. How do you do that? Increase the handle. How? Make it easier for people to bet. There is a reason that people bet with Internet services and bookies. Convenience. If anybody could sign up for ADW and be able to call one number and bet on any race in the country, the amount of money bet would increase possibly in the hundred of millions of dollars. You think not. How much money do you think illegal bookies take out of the industry? It is an astronomical figure. If all track owners would agree to let a central agency handle their bets for a piece of the action, I feel sure that the big bettors would come back to our industry. Think how convenient it would be and that's the name of the game these days. Also, I agree that the tote system is in trouble. What's wrong with trying ante-post wagering like in England and Ireland. Over there only the mokes bet the Tote. Everybody who knows anything bets with bookies and gets a locked in price.

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

RG — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:27:44 GMT

Come up with a simpler bet? To win isn't simple enough?

I get early entries, past performances, early scratches, I can watch replays of almost any race and repeat the part of the race that I think shows something of interest, look at exacta and double pools and will pays, maintain a virtual stable of horses that interest me all on my computer. On my occasional trips to a track I feel at a great disadvantage trying to catch pools and payoffs,etc. If people go to watch the horses how do they keep track of the gambling aspect?

In the past I've wagered by phone at the track when I've ran short of cash and had money in an account.

To much tunnel vision when it comes to racing.

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

ken woodall — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:21:35 GMT

Natl PR and Promotion office; w/ positive spin doctors. $2 min win bet has 0 inflation for 9 decades, ignored in promotions. promote connections; Get to know the AP horseracing reporter,the 1 person responsible for national coverage; 2 negative and 1 + story a week is not enough./ Draw public money and interest. //Preteens- Camptown Races as theme song. ads showing legs hooves w/ sound down the stretch; Ads showing kids not on pony rides but minature racehorse hotwalker rides w/ saddlecloths and jr jockey silks, caps. Jr track photog, princess for a day contests. school age- bring art sports music talent to track for small contribution top school or community programs. High School Seniors- career day at the track in the am involving track employees. horse owners for non-racing businesses, horseplayers. tours, lectures, advice on vocations. Free discount coupon books for all minors. Off track beauty queens to pass out coupons for free parking, admit, program w/ free live racinng PP's at other outdoor and sports events. On track queens photo ops, ambassadors, conducting natl handicappers' certification test. Dicount coupon books for on track concessions and off track horse owners' non-racing business. // Blow up live race viewing infield obstructions on you tube.// Convert all fractional and decimal odds to my 2 and 3 digit will pays (3.8 for $3.80, 3:8 for $3.85; 10.0-99:9; $100-$999 as whole numbers.

// Loss of 50% of stalls for P.E. drug violating trainers. // More grass races as hard track base is resposible for most injuries and deaths. Require workouts under 5f be done on the first turn.

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

Sean — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:02:16 GMT

First, it seems for the last 3 to 4 years all people in the industry have done is talk about what's gone bad and what will go bad. No one has stepped up to the plate and started to do something.

I think Tom Goncharoff hit the nail on the head with the idea of fewer race days and smaller foal crops. No other sport that has success is year round. The fewer the race days we have the more likely the race fields will begin to grow and with larger fields comes more handle.

The industry is pulled in so many different ways by so many different people and that's why nothing ever seems to get done. As much as I hate working in one, the industry needs a bottleneck type enviroment with a commissioner. All racing jurisdictions need the same rules and regulations.

As far as bringing people to the track, the tracks themselves have no one to blame but themselves. Pay to park, pay addmission, pay for a program. Hell, by the time I look at a program I don't have any money left. CD and Keeneland have raised addmission prices over the last few years and just last year Keeneland began to charge for parking in lots that were normally free. If tracks want to attract a younger crowd then start with lowering prices, then you can be creative once you have the customer in the gates.

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

Convene — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 21:45:29 GMT

Hats off to Nick Eaves! We have HPiTV in Canada (and I get racing 24/7 on it!) which shows all racing from most major tracks and provides ADW wagering to members. We also have 2 thoroughbred tracks in Ontario and a limited number nationally. Woodbine usually has full fields and Fort Erie does a pretty decent job too (as well as being a beautiful track!). All this maximizes the product and pleases the fans. Access to US, Australian and the magical middle and far east too makes good variety for everyone.

My own views:

1) Get the drugs out of racing. The rest of the world has and our downslide began when it was first legalized here. (I'm old; I remember when it began!).

2) Get the violators out of racing. I know there are the odd false positives - but how come most of 'em always seem to happen over and over to the same trainers? That much coincidence doesn't fly!

3) Make basic pharmacology part of the requisite learning for granting trainers' licences (and maybe owners too, so they can protect their interests better.) How can anyone in charge of animals allow something to be given to those animals without knowing what it is, what it does and what undesirable things it may also do?

4) Breeders need to limit their stallion books and, at least in part, return to breeding to race, not breeding to sell. If you breed competitive horses, you'll have buyers knocking on the door looking to get some of 'em!

5) Promote weekend and evening racing. Fans can't be out earning money and be at the track spending it at the same time!

6) Somehow - and I don't know quite how to do it but I feel it's important - find some way to involve more "little guy" owners because being a part of the dream and part of the thrill is almost a guarantee of action in the wagering pool! It sure will keep 'em coming back to the track and bringing their friends with them! For us not-so-affluent folks, it's much more about our love of the horse and our love of the game than about winning at the highest level - and who knows? Sometimes the superstars end up coming from "little guy" stables - remember Funny Cide? - and knowing that is part of the dream. Want owners? We're out here. We just don't have the megabucks to get in the door!

7) Let's figure out how to have horses set money aside through their working lives (percent of money earned) to help them provide their own pension plans for the years after racing. We'll never totally provide for every one of them; even though I hate that, I recognize that it's true - but surely to goodness we can do more than we are! After all, we wanted them when they were running, didn't we?

Pipe dreams? Maybe - but this whole business is founded on dreams. We need fewer tracks, less racing and a national body with the power to make and enforce the rules. I've loved this game since Tim Tam and the idea of it fading away breaks my heart. Please let's get together, put egos aside and figure out how to breath new life into it! Thanks to Blame and Zenyatta and Rachel and especially to Goldikova and the people who sent them out for us to cheer for and love. It's all of you who show us off to the world and bring people to the game. Thank you all.

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

Kerry Fitzpatrick — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 18:14:18 GMT

1. Significantly lower takeout.

2. Hay, oats and water only. (starting with all graded stakes)

3. One racing channel with no emphasis on making multi-race wagers. (The touting can go on on the internet or Twitter.)

4. Far fewer races, which means larger field and higher purses per race.

5. Additional fee to register horses with the Jockey Club, said fee to cover retirement of horses.

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

Zenyatta John — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 17:13:34 GMT

It's becoming an Internet game.

All wagers from computers should count as "attending" the races at that track. On track attendance is extremely minimual. everyone who wagers at a certain track should be considered "attending".

Way too may races - and most of them are extremely cheap claimers. There is no reason to run more than 9 races, any day, at any track.

Tracks should move to three day racing weeks. They also need to work together to intermingle post times so there are races going off every 7-10 minutes. That would help bring in more "poker" players seeking instant and constant action.

Lastly - the states need to stop stealing the money from uncashed tickets. That money needs to stay in the Thoroughbred Industry - how about using it for Retired Horses or the Thouroughbred Retirement Fund so these glorious horses have a food and shelter forever.

The states surely don't need to steal anymore of our hard earned money.

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

rayctrac — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:16:34 GMT

we need to hire Mr. Fatias.Like I always say, take care of the gamblers and the horsemen (horses) and the rest is easy.

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

ThoroFan — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 14:27:49 GMT

KatetheGreat said it best.

Most of the ideas presented have merit, especially for a central body and most especially for "working together and not against each other." But to accomplish these the industry needs to bring the "fan" to the table as part of the claculus for the solution. Fans are major financial stakeholders in game who by some accounts contribute through takeout more to the industry's bottom line than any other stakeholder.

ThoroFan, a national, non-profit (501(c)(3)) Thoroughbred Racing Fan Associaiton, Inc. is trying to accomplish that for all fans, regardless of level of play, reason for playing or involevement in the industry. A noted horseman once said, "First and Foremost, we are all fans." (see our website for attribution--www.thorofan.com). Lets begin acting that way!

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

Cgriff — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 14:22:13 GMT

Is it just me or did anyone else notice that not one veterinarian recommended "oats/hay/water" zero tolerance on race day medications?

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

righthind — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:24:06 GMT

You don't have electronic eligibilties???? There is no hope.

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

Sal Carcia — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:25:38 GMT

The most consistent suggestion here is the call for a central governing body. I think we can forget that. We had a real good one in the NTRA and first there were complaints about it and then its funding was cut off. The racetrack owners (especially Stronach and CDI) will never endorse or fund such a body again.

One thing that no one has suggested is to get rid of the robots playing this game with special access to the pools. The poker industry prohibits it and then enforces this rule and racing does not. It effectively increases the take-out.

Also, the game needs to level the playing field and cut out the rebates to certain players. Allowing a few players to play the game for less takeout effectively increases the takeout for the rest of players.

Robots (with rebates) and rebates for special players are the silent killers of the regular fan base of this game.

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

Ruben — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 05:42:43 GMT

I see a day when a race track has a grand stand with a built in Imax theater for fans to experience horse racing in a totally different dimension. How about panoramic jockey cams so the horseplayer can view the race from the back of the horse he bet on through a cell phone. Fantasy football has nothing on the potential of fan involvement that the Sport of Kings can offer.

The powers that be who currently run race tracks are unable to think outside of the box.

Just food for thought. How about legislation that elimates taxes on winnings of 300-1 and greater and replace it with a .10 cent tax on each ticket sold? There are far more losing tickets than winners and the money is collected up front, no audits,waiting for payments etc. Then the ocassional big score for a horse player can truely be a life changing event.

The way horse racing is presented must change. Post time every 15 minutes is a must. Card 15 races on Fri, Sat ,Sun. Smaller tracks can fill in the remainder of the week. If this change is not made the sport will continue to die a slow death. No twentysomething is going to hang around to bet two races every hour. This is not going to happen. No other changes really matter cause if you have no fans 25 years from now, what will it matter?

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

BombsawayBob Grant — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 03:52:57 GMT

With Smartphones a Way of life, someone needs to create an "APP" that could work at All major racetracks that allows remote ontrack betting. Insuring the host track gets the wagering money would be by having the customer by a "cyber-voucher" at any betting window to start, then the patron punches in the pre-paid voucher code ONCE into their phone, & essentially your phone is your wagering portal for the day. Perfect for Live & simulcast action, will cut down on betting lines, & people love their phone gadgets.

re: Five Ways to Improve the Industry

susie — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 03:21:46 GMT

Speaking as a casual racing fan, the racing industry needs US to spend our money by way of going to the track and being interested enough to bet $2 dollars here and there. But there isn't enough in racing for the casual fan. Zenyatta was the horse people could get close to even if they couldn't physically. I personally, like hearing what the trainers think. I like hearing what the jockeys think. I especially love the gossip (squabbles are very interesting LOL!). And so do my friends who are barely interested any more. If people knew that there is more to racing than horses running down a track, maybe they too would be interested. What about a show that follows a foal through the process of being born, being a baby, being broke, trained, etc. How exciting that would be! Anything about racing other than JUST BETTING! Pony races or camel races or jockey races. Activities that make people want to come to the track. And last but not least, another Zenyatta.