GOODBYE TO AN ERA - IT SURE WAS FUN

[Linda_d]

My point about NASCAR was that people are attracted to racing as a competitive sport whether there's money bet on it or not, whether it's cars or horses or school buses or go-karts, and if it's marketed smartly, it can be very popular. Motor racing uses corporate sponsorship and horse racing uses parimutual and casino gambling. The difference is that NASCAR markets itself a whole lot better as family entertainment than horse racing does. It continues to attract new fans. Horse racing is largely failing to do that.

Horse racing could learn a lot from the motor racing folks. Laugh all you want about the drivers' plugging their sponsors, but the fact is that NASCAR drivers have squeaky-clean images. The surest way for a driver to get canned is to get in trouble off-track for something like substance abuse or domestic violence (but NOT speeding ). Horse racing's image is not nearly as good.

BDW's correct about limiting the product, too. Maybe more tracks should go to Friday night/Saturday-Sunday afternoon programs. Maybe there should be more 4-6 week meetings rather than 4-6 month ones. Maybe there shouldn't be racing in NY or PA or other places from December through February.
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"you cannot be brilliant if you cannot run" -- bdw0617

[ratherrapid]

horse racing will never "market" itself in the manner of NASCAR because there's zero appeal to an anti segment of society in the manner of NASCAR.

NASCAR is a temporary phenomena and fashion trend already waning in terms of wide popularity and is completely dependent on a few fashion auto races. How hard would it be for horse racing to market only the Derby, BC, TC and a few other well timed regional races thrown in? We can certainly shrink the sport to that degree, if that's the aim.

For myself I truly hope the boutique meet/rich owner crowd that is trying to coopt the sport (see Barry Irwin and his ilk, Cot Campbell, Fred Pope etc.), that the great majority on the horse side can find a way to stop this. While certainly under the marketing structure as it is (virtually non-existent but changing) there are more tracks than bettors, the solution for regional tracks are their own ADWs advertised on the internet, or regional ADW compacts of the type that would compete with Twin Spires combined with TV marketing of pick six and like betting products.

What's happening right now with the small tracks is that they r so understaffed that what occurs is the Stewards and a few racing office employees show up shortly before a meet and try to run things assuming people will just suddenly appear and bet just as in the old days. Something has got to wake up the people involved on the horse side to understand that things are unable to continue in that manner.

[Joltman]

[Shammy Davis]

http://law.shu.edu/Students/academics/journals/sports-entertainment/Issues/archives/upload/Breslin-Reclaiming-Glory.pdf

[bdw0617]

[wilf]

For crying out loud bdw etc will you please check your spelling before you press "send" it drives me insane and I feel like the dyslexic,agnostic,insomniac who lies awake at night wondering if there really is a dog. Apart from that your last post reveals a sensitivity that I must have missed in you also it shows a sweeping misconception of this game that you have but is no fault of yours either. It is an appearance of the good the bad and the ugly throughout this great industry/sport that is defined only by facts and stats but really can only be verified by those that toil at the "b" tracks and see how the game is really played. The reality is that even though the lower levels of racing are constantly the whipping boy of the sport a closer look will show that there are far more caring ,concerned horsemen and women in the "blue-collar "end of the game than you may think. They quietly,diligently go about this life trying to balance making a living in this sport with their own humanitarian views of animal abuse. I could never understand why more owners that lost a horse through a claim did not go right back and claim it again or even take it back down the road . If you liked the horse then it must be worth it again? So what if the last trainer/owner made a profit? Get your feet wet in the game bdw and then give us your impressions after the first year, I for one would like to read what you have to say.

[Joltman]

I concur that the personnel at the B level are often quite caring for their animals, and you will find that Canter and other groups routinely work to resettle the culls from there. But sufficient income must be made with those that aren't culled - and that it's always tight for everyone even at the A tracks. You can hemorrhage money even faster there because the 'professionals' at that level can sock it to the owners because of the high-end players.

I actually think there is a ray of hope coming out of all places, Stronach's Santa Anita. In hiring Mark Verge he's opened the possibility of real change, especially with the fan interaction/marketing and with owners (which he is one). He is engaged and invested - now - and if he flames out it may be a sign of the forthcoming end. His style may run some people wrong, but it will be different - that's for sure. I think he may do for Santa Anita what Meeker did for ChD 25 yrs ago.

jm
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Run the race - the one that's really worth winning.

[casallc]

[Sylvie Hebert]

As you said Casallc if there is 10 horses per race that is 9 loosers and 10 races on a card is 90 loosers per card.And most of those ten races are low or middle level claimers...so here is your 99%...
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The sport and industry survive not only because of the champions that are remembered forever but also because of the losers that are so easy to forget...