Texas Horse Racing Needs a Revolution

re: Texas Horse Racing Needs a Revolution

Texspect — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:52:04 GMT

It is a pitiful state of affairs at Sam Houston Race Track in Houston. If in fact nothing has and/or had been done in a month after hurricane Ike, How could they possibly achieve anything? Sometimes you have to step out of the box and accomplish a feat of looking like you know what you are doing. Look at the time Arlington Park's Grandstand burned down, they took action and took temporary measures. Look at Santa Anita resurfacing their track in a few days. I would think you would have to try and do something and them see the progress, then make a determination as to whether you can succeed towards a goal. If you sit and do nothing and talk about what you can't do, then noting is what you end up with. You can't tell me that the Tote Board could not be fixed within a month, The roof could not have had a temporary fix in two months, , or some electrical circuits disabled to make some usable and safe. The racing surface was in good condition to the point of the Horsemen were willing to run the meet. There is an element of Texas politics that get in the, however it is management that can mke or break a track. The emphasis at Sam Houston seems to have entertainment foremost to horse racing. Lone Star Park suceeds because of better management. The fact that the Breeder's Cup was held there in 2004. Yet at Sam Houston, not even a noted horse raced there despite it is the hometown and base of Bob McNair. Houston, being number four (4)n in the nation with it's population base deserves better. You have to recruit horsemen and or racetrack personnel as executives experienced in the operations of such a venue. Just a CEO in business with no contacts within the industry just won't do. Added to all of this is the THG and ADW dispute which is causing revenue losses across the nation. It has gotten to the point of it not being business, but being a battle of egos. It seems that none of the people involved considers the ADW's operating expenses, but look a the gross reports and say they want a certain percentage. Are the ADW's to make no profit? What about the bettors which supply the revenue, cannot participate because of this egotistical warfare. Texas does not really need a revolution. In some areas it needs better management. The whole industry needs a revolution! Look at California. The closing of Bay Meadows and Hollywood Park is on the block. It is the greed of investors without ties or loyalty to the horseracing industry, that seeks to turn a buck destroying history. It is akin to selling parts of Central Park in NY to build Condominiums if it was privately owned. No one wants it to happen but the company that owns the land. You talk about Sam Houston dates to Retama, How about Hollywood Park to Pomana (Fairplex)? And you wonder what's happening to the fans. THG, CTOBA, Deelopers, you are driving them away! Yes and bad management in some places in Texas.

re: Texas Horse Racing Needs a Revolution

Duffy — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:29:23 GMT

Texas has always had a problem because everyone is an expert.What is amazing many big racing people from Texas don't race there because of the politics involved.

re: Texas Horse Racing Needs a Revolution

Lmaris — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:32:52 GMT

Texas Racing commission has already bent over backwards to promote Lone Star at the expense of the other, older tracks. Transferring the Sam Houston dates to Lone Star would just continue the trend to eliminate all TB racing outside of Dallas.

re: Texas Horse Racing Needs a Revolution

Michael Cusortelli — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:14:06 GMT

One advantage Retama Park has over Lone Star -- winter weather in the Dallas area can be dicey at times.

re: Texas Horse Racing Needs a Revolution

Cheri — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:59:19 GMT

I know that the surrounding state of Texas can offer bigger purses due to the fact that they have Casino gambling facilities on site which brings in more money. Only an hour or so away from the Dallas Metro area in Oklahoma are casinos

and 95% 0f the plates on the cars are from Texas. Our Texas dollars are going towards other states. We need to have Casinos in Texas to keep are money here. If you build them they will come. As Oklahoma and Louisana already know.It will also be great for the Texas thoroughbred industry.

re: Texas Horse Racing Needs a Revolution

Michelle Wingo — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:20:59 GMT

Sighhhhhh... The question that some of us have wondered is will the horses and trainers come back "IF" Sam Houston ever opens their doors again?