Horse Racing: Alive or Dead Needs a Fix

re: Horse Racing: Alive or Dead Needs a Fix

katethegreat — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 17:16:31 GMT

HSUS is the main culprit in the demise of horse racing. They have been effective in shaping the way human beings view horses. They have the full support of many of the wealthy TB owners, as well. Nothing in life is all black, or all white.

re: Horse Racing: Alive or Dead Needs a Fix

ernie — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 11:35:58 GMT

Three issues.

1)No central governing body..which would HAVE to address...

2)Horse Welfare... The game in US is finished unless lasix and bute become prohibited substances..and that will never happen while you are racing on dirt...which will always be the case...despite 25% fewer fatal breakdowns on synthetic.See Santa Anita.Racing is perceived as being on a level with cycling..dirty.Perception is EVERYTHING.

3)Going racing in US is a miserable experience compared to racing in uk, or even France. No restaurants,no individuality,and no incentive to bring children.

re: Horse Racing: Alive or Dead Needs a Fix

Patrick — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 16:42:49 GMT

Thanks everyone for your comments keep them coming.

To get a national commissioner or a unified front in racing the industry needs a revenue stream they can all share in. Figure out the revenue stream and you figure out racing.

re: Horse Racing: Alive or Dead Needs a Fix

needler in Virginia — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 09:44:36 GMT

Patrick, your point is well made and SHOULD be taken seriously. Fifty million sounds like an enormous number until you decode the dollar-per-head amounts. But then, a survey can be spun any way the surveyor wishes, can't it? Cheerleaders are always there to spice things up, but, in this case, what are the cheerleaders cheering for? Dwindling handle? Crummy track management that doesn't care if patrons can SEE races or even use a clean bathroom? Money is tight right now, but there will always be betting money, even if it's $20 rather than $200 or $2,000. Bettors will spend their money where they are most comfortable, be it a casino or a racetrack or a bingo hall, and CLEARLY racing is falling behind the other betting opportunities, so what is racing thinking? No problem???

Surveys aren't the answer, each track having a "family day" isn't the answer, a free hot-dog-and-a-beer-day isn't the answer. The multi-headed racing monster had better find ways to work as ONE cohesive unit to save the remnants of the most interesting sport around......after all, what's not to like? We've got green grass, warm afternoons, flamingoes, the chance to see the world's best athletes (equine AND human) going head to head in a speed duel, a hot dog and a beer, AND the chance to win a couple of bucks here and there. While I hate to mention the nasty acronym (AND my least favorite thing EVER), NASCAR has figured out how to get the butts into the seats. Fans can sit next to blistering tarmac, smell gasoline fumes, get dizzy watching cars go around in ovals for hours (and have NO break to regain equilibrium between circuits) and THEY DON'T BET........at least, not legally.......YET! What has Nascar done that racing can't, or WON'T?

If the situation is really as dire as it appears, then racing is seeing the end of the tunnel, and there is NO LIGHT THERE.

We don't need cheerleaders at the sinking of this Titanic, we need someone who can get hands on a couple of lifeboats.

re: Horse Racing: Alive or Dead Needs a Fix

fb0252 — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 01:26:10 GMT

as more and more become disatisfied with NTRA, hopefully an aggressive innovative person will come to lead that organization. Whatever the problems at NTRA in terms of the sport, the milk toast approach seems about as worthless as things get. I ask the Q once again. Why does horse racing decline internet marketing except on horse racing sites. Is there an answer to that?

re: Horse Racing: Alive or Dead Needs a Fix

Karen in Indiana — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 01:15:44 GMT

I've wondered quite often what it is Mr. Waldrop does to justify his salary other than defending his job. He blogs on this site and rarely posts replies, even though he asks what 'we' think.

Horse racing is in desperate need of a national governing body, one that would also be able to launch a national ad campaign. Every other sport in this country has one, even curling. Curling, for goodness sakes! But not horse racing.

re: Horse Racing: Alive or Dead Needs a Fix

David — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 18:58:55 GMT

Think it is D. Wayne Lucas that once said, “despite everything no one’s been able to bury this game yet”. Yes, the economy has contributed to a southerly trend from 16b to about 11. Yes, racing enjoys a pre-emptive advantage over substitute, competitive products via on-line, interstate delivery systems. Throw in the ZENYATTA phenomenon; a movie on an iconic legend; and a mini-series or two and things aren’t so bad, are they? Well, the negative trend in sales (handle) set in well before the current recession. As to that edge racing has over its alternative gaming competition, account wagering so far has merely transferred action by selective core users from live or OTB platforms. Anyone who believes racing is not in big trouble is naive or not paying attention. Mr. Patten is correct that racing in need of sweeping reform. Unfortunately, no individual or group has clue where to start much less how to put a movement together. The Kentucky Derby, the Triple Crown, the Breeders’ Cup and boutique meets of Keeneland, Saratoga and Del Mar have carried the sport during its decline. Now even the Derby brand is threatened by a training shift that has contributed mightily to the mediocrity of the past decade. Step back and look at the intramurals currently going on in New York, Florida, California and Maryland; every once of energy is being expended on issues that are counterproductive. In racing’s case, the sky really might be falling.

re: Horse Racing: Alive or Dead Needs a Fix

Convene — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:31:46 GMT

Those figures do seem to prove that altho the fans are out there, somehow they aren't wagering. For this fan, finances are most of the reason for that, but another big reason is that there doesn't seem to be enough info readily available about the myriad types of wagers now offered. Everyone chatters happily away about various exotics and so on - but some of us, who love racing because of the racing, aren't sure what of those exotics actually are! I'm addicted to the sport and the horses but I would wager at least in a small way (because wagering finances the game) if I understood wagering better. What happened over the past couple of years with Rachel and Zenyatta proves there's a fan resource out there. How about making it easier for them to lay their money down? Up here in Canada, we only have 2 Ontario tracks, neither of which is close to where I live but because of HPiTV I can watch simulcasts from all over. If I want to put money on any of them, about all I know is win/place/show, daily doubles, Pick "X" and other basic formats. Come on, racing! Educate me if you want my money!

re: Horse Racing: Alive or Dead Needs a Fix

tbracer — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:45:27 GMT

This industry is much like the autocratic countries now in turmoil. All of the power and money is controlled by a few. They have no desire to change because it means losing power, money and control. The only time a trace of progress occurs is when a major breakdown occurs. Do we really need to set ourselves on fire to overcome this inertia?

re: Horse Racing: Alive or Dead Needs a Fix

MJ — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:22:22 GMT

This highlights one of our biggest problems in racing, Who's steering the boat? Waldrop has spent his last 20 years jumping around with in the industry and the best he can do is say the numbers don't lie? No wonder nothing changes using information like that to support your view. How about we talk about the yearly decrease in handle,between 7%_9% and the increase in costs for horse owners going up by a similar number. Purses(<$1Bil) are going down and the costs are now $ 2.2 Bil. And this is while the industry is been subsidized by slots, which will not continue for very long . Just look at Indiana! NTRA is just slush fund to keep family and friends employed, similar to Breeders Cup. At the moment the leaders in our industry are CD w Mr D( our last great owner), Magna w Mr S, NYRA and Penn Gamimg. How do you think the industry will be when Mr D and Mr S are gone? My guess is casino companies will continue to grow and racing will be pushed out.

re: Horse Racing: Alive or Dead Needs a Fix

Darlene — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 02:47:41 GMT

I agree with all your closing statements What I feel is needed is a national commisioner similer to NFL or baseball,NBA or a central governing body in Nascar Prob a combination of all those as racing is unique due to the wagering I just don't know how anyone can bring this about but I would be willing to do what I could towards that goal The one thing that I don't completly go along with is breaking fans down by amount wagered This is a part of racing most definatly But there are fans of racing who don't bet A lot of them. I am one. I have bet but not often and not alot But I still go to races to enjoy the show and have a meal and just have fun Tracks need us too