Is Incremental Change Enough? - By Nick Willet

re: Is Incremental Change Enough? - By Nick Willet

Michael B. — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:45:01 GMT

You can play with the gambling aspects all you like, but until we fix the actual racing on the track we shall continue to see our audience dwindle. Let's address the real problems of drugs, breakdowns, horses racing less and less frequently, good horses rarely racing against each other, and the rush to retire even moderately accomplished three-year-olds to stud before we introduce yet another betting gimmick. We thought the exacta was going to save racing, then the trifecta, then the superfecta, then the pick six. None of them has had a real impact. I would be happy if we went back to the wagering menu of 60 years ago, win, place, show, and one daily double, if I could go to the track and see nine competitive races with large fields filled with horses not racing with chemical assistance.

re: Is Incremental Change Enough? - By Nick Willet

NoraPhilly — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:49:47 GMT

In terms of "fantasy sports," I've played for years on Derbyfever.com, which is a fantasy simulated horse racing game. My love of horses in general and racing in particular predates my involvement with the Sim, but not only have I learned from the game, it has also created some new fans, and even some new "real" racehorse owners. Any official racing group that might be interested in creating a fantasy racing game would do well to consult with Derbyfever.com's creator.

re: Is Incremental Change Enough? - By Nick Willet

fb0252 — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:12:38 GMT

i continue to be amazed that they blog and blog and blog and nobody but nobody blogs about the change that is needed, which is MARKETING.

re: Is Incremental Change Enough? - By Nick Willet

needler in Virginia — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:27:10 GMT

Nick, while I'm NOT a high-powered bettor, don't understand a lot of what you just said, and would rather bet simply at the track than online ....... there's a LOT to be said for a sunny day with good friends, fresh-cut grass AND horses...... racing has shown itself to be almost completely resistant to any change AT ALL. In all areas of racing we've seen suggestions for change, ideas for change, possibilities for change, and there's always "we need to work on this.........soon"; clearly a sport that has such tremendous appeal is incapable of leaping forward into the 19th century, never mind the 21st. This is not only breaking hearts, it's breaking wallets AND shattering the fan base. You are absolutely correct: little steps are not enough. The strides forward need to be huge in ALL areas of racing, otherwise we may be watching a long, slow spiral down the drain, and THAT would be a true tragedy. I hope I DO NOT live to see it............

Thanks for stating the obvious, Nick. Have you seen any emperors without clothes lately????

Cheers and safe trips.

re: Is Incremental Change Enough? - By Nick Willet

FourCats — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 22:18:57 GMT

I have three comments.

1) The industry pull out all the stops? Most track managements operate on the principle of doing the least (no customer service, dirty, classless facilities, no effort to improve the product, no imagination). They spend all their time trying to get slots.

2) Betting exchanges? While I'm all in favor of innovative wagers, betting exchanges are a disaster in the making. Every time a favorite loses (which happens 2 out of 3 times), there will be cries of corruption. The industry should not go in any direction which will increase the perception of dishonest races.

3) Future pool on the Derby with all eligible horses as individual betting entries? Absolutely. Not only would the actual pool be economically worthwhile, but the tremendous advertising value of such a wager would be so great as to be worthwhile even if the pool returned nothing. And, as a system developer of 25 years, such a wager should be child's play; anyone saying that it is not technologically feasible is either lying or misinformed.