Racing Wish List 2010
Written by trackmasterplus on December 28, 2009 – 9:00 am -As the start of the next decade is upon us, it is time to contemplate the actions needed by the horse racing industry to make racing’s future as strong and bright as possible. Different people have lots of differing opinions and views on the changes, strategies and innovations needed to increase the popularity and economic strength of the racing industry. What ideas do you think are the most important to pursue?
There is a laundry list to choose from when it comes to “fixing” the racing industry. Establishing a commissioner’s office, insuring better wagering integrity, lowering the takeout rate or offering rebates, introducing peer-to-peer wagering, eliminating synthetic surfaces, expanding the number of tracks with synthetic surfaces, are some of the prominent ideas out there. Other initiatives include the expansion or introduction of these items, to name just a few: automated tracking of horses during races, workouts recorded electronically, sending and receiving the track signal in HDTV (stay tuned for more on this idea in an upcoming blog post), televising the pre-race warm ups of each horse, running the Breeders’ Cup races during “prime time” television. The introduction of night racing at Churchill Downs was an unqualified success and many people think similar, creative ideas need to be pursued to market the racing product. We hear about many of these ideas from those in the industry, but what about the ideas of the average horse player. Do you have any marketing ideas you would like to share?
Horse racing is a great game because we are all lucky enough to participate, no matter if one is involved only as a two dollar bettor or the owner of a Breeders’ Cup winner, we all get to compete. Please, let us know what you think needs to be done to help make our sport stronger. Have a happy and prosperous new year!
Craig Walker
TrackMaster Senior Product Development Specialist
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Posted in General Industry, Harness Racing, Thoroughbred Racing
December 31st, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Well there are a lot of things that should be in this industry.
Breeders Cup needs to be a ( one day event).
Rules need to be national…..not different from state to state or country.
Promote the racing and not the gambling, no casinos! at racetracks….a place where you can take the FAMILY for the entertainment!
The first 3 finishers on the board are the only ones to collect money ( for owners etc. ) the playing field isn’t the same .
All tracks should be self reliant and not subsidized by state money.
The racing surfaces should be the same everywhere ( TURF AND DIRT) or ( TURF and SYNTHETIC).Wagering needs to be the same ( bets ) everywhere.
January 1st, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Have my home state of Arizona abolish present legislation of not being able to wager across state lines via the internet. It’s our money, and they presently have absolutely no problem if a person puts their life’s savings in the local Indian casino’s slot machines or if the same person needs to drive 40 miles to the nearest, “approved o.t.b.” and put up with poor customer service (one teller per establishment in Casa Grande at McMashers), bad attitudes and computer crashes that prevent wages. The back door deals that have kept this and keep these scenarios a reality for the racing fan need to give way to examination, review and ultimately the passage of new law.
February 1st, 2010 at 9:14 am
I would like to get the percentages of favorites at the Meadowlands Harness track for win place and show for the current meet and the last completed meet for 2009
February 1st, 2010 at 9:24 am
You can get some of the info you seek on the Meadowlands Web Site: http://www.thebigm.com/standingsCurrent.asp#post