KY losing its luster

[da hoss]

I'm interested in what the board perceives as the future of KY "Racing"?

Seems like the politicians have lost sight of the importnance of purse structure/racing - they simply have other important things to promote - ie: Nascar, and religous groups are against gaiming.

Will the breeding industry be able to sustain only 2 tracks with decent purse structures?

Or - is racing not as important (or necessary) to the breeding industry, that KY will be fine without solid year round racing?

I understand that Turfway was unable to fil the card on Sun due to mostly all 5 and under fields. The horses have left KY.

Thoughts please.

[docjocoy]

The perception to me historically was that Kentucky had the best breeding farms in the world, and that racing was secondary. Churchill downs had the Kentucky Derby, not much else. Keeneland was an interesting specialty meet, and Turfway was second tier. Some of that has changed in the last decade, but from a historical perspective what you are describing does not seem unusual to me.

[LB]

Kentucky legislators take the Thoroughbred industry for granted. They assume that there's no way that the horses will ever leave the state--but if they had any historical perspective they could look at the Standardbred industry and realize how wrong they are. Kentucky TB owners are subjected to mostly low purses (and during the good meets, the races overfill and you can't get in), extra taxes, and a breeders incentive program that is paltry compared to those in other states.

It's no surprise that more and more TB breeders and racehorse owners are opting to do business elsewhere, in states where they might at least have a chance of breaking even on their investment.

[madelyn]

LB is dead on.. add to that the punitive structure of the KBIF nomination. KY has long rested on laurels that just are not there anymore. Their arrogance reminds me very much of Digital Equipment Corp, and what happened to DEC could eventually happen here.

[ratherrapid]

possibly racing needs to commence marketing to people less interested in purse and purse structure and ripping the racing off for cash, and instead market racing to people that enjoy sports, and the sport. no offense to intended to the initial poster, but this is the sort of mindset that hurts racing and destroys tracks. if you are interested in horse racing you first need some place to race. if you want to increase purses, get into marketing and quit bitching, would be my take on it.

[ct2346]

I actually think that KY is in for a double whammy. The lack of alternative gaming will continue to make purses in the nearby states more appealing. As a simple example, compare TP to Mnr. There will continue to be a bleed at the lower end. KEE racing will continue to show well but the day to day drift is likely going to continue out of state. Result - first revenue, then jobs.

On the breeding front, the breed to sell market has collapsed. Unless you are playing at the absolute highest end of the scale - Books 1 & 2 - it makes little sense to continue the gamble. Mares that are not being bred back will cause revenue loss. Many that are will be cast in a breed to race role. If you are breeding to race, why would you drop in KY when the LA PA NY ON etc programs are far superior. Breed to race mares are flying out of the state. Result - first revenue, then jobs.

Legislators better wake up.

[Bunty Lawless]

I actually think that KY is in for a double whammy. The lack of alternative gaming will continue to make purses in the nearby states more appealing. As a simple example, compare TP to Mnr. There will continue to be a bleed at the lower end. KEE racing will continue to show well but the day to day drift is likely going to continue out of state. Result - first revenue, then jobs.

On the breeding front, the breed to sell market has collapsed. Unless you are playing at the absolute highest end of the scale - Books 1 & 2 - it makes little sense to continue the gamble. Mares that are not being bred back will cause revenue loss. Many that are will be cast in a breed to race role. If you are breeding to race, why would you drop in KY when the LA PA NY ON etc programs are far superior. Breed to race mares are flying out of the state. Result - first revenue, then jobs.

Legislators better wake up.

Leaving the state or just getting out of the business? Is doing business in those other states really better, all things considered?

[griff]

Give PA 10 years and they will be bthe TB capital of the world

griff

[cng]

Give PA 10 years and they will be bthe TB capital of the world

griff

and pigs will fly.

[el camino]

I really dont think pigs will fly.

[BlazingColours]

Give PA 10 years and they will be bthe TB capital of the world

griff

What makes you think that? Or were you kidding?

[griff]

see the above posts

griff

[Dave C]

As was discussed in another thread in another section of this forum several months ago, Ky was not the center of TB breeding in the US until after the US Civil War. Prior to the War Tennessee was the center of TB breeding/racing. Things change. If you resist the change you'll get run over. Understand the change and you can make it work for you.

[griff]

Dave C

My understanding is Virginia was the TB center before the War of Northern Aggression and the horses were sent to KY so the Yankees would not eat them.

griff

[Twingirl]

possibly racing needs to commence marketing to people less interested in purse and purse structure and ripping the racing off for cash, and instead market racing to people that enjoy sports, and the sport.

Yes.

When you are only interested in a sport because of $ you can make as a spectator, then the sport itself won't get better, only *worse*.

I've enjoyed tennis and baseball all my life, and never made a cent doing so.


As for PA becoming the racing capital of the US, one only need to look at the amount of racing cancelled at Penn Nat'l.....the weather is not cooperative enough in PA.