http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/s ... tml?page=1
Doesn't appear to be positive. What's your take?
Horse Business
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Outermonvolia
- Weanling
- Posts: 47
- Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:22 am
The thoroughbred industry has never marketed its product with any real vigor. The horseplayers were and remain second class citizens in the view of the horse tracks. With casino gambling now in several states the race tracks view the horseplayers as a necessary evil since the real revenue is in the slots. What happens to horse racing if the tracks somehow get around giving a percentage of their handle toward the purse structure? Just look at the facilities that the slot players have, the decor, etc. , then take a look at the horseplayers area.
Major races such as the Derby, the Travers, Preakness, Belmont etc. don't bring in new gamblers into the sport. Those races just bring in fans for that day of the year. Tracks treat the everyday gambler on horses like a leper. The only thing that keeps Pennsylvania and Delaware thoroughbred racing going is the revenue from the slot machines. I am sure other states are in the same boat because race track owners have ignored their customers for over 50 years as if it was still the only game in town. Saratoga and Keeneland are different because their meet is short and is somewhat of a social event.
Until racing gets serious about uniform drug rules, racing rules, national licensing, track safety, and effective marketing one would expect the downward trend to continue. It seems every racing jurisdiction is rowing in a different direction. But always moving in the direction of their individual vested interest.
Major races such as the Derby, the Travers, Preakness, Belmont etc. don't bring in new gamblers into the sport. Those races just bring in fans for that day of the year. Tracks treat the everyday gambler on horses like a leper. The only thing that keeps Pennsylvania and Delaware thoroughbred racing going is the revenue from the slot machines. I am sure other states are in the same boat because race track owners have ignored their customers for over 50 years as if it was still the only game in town. Saratoga and Keeneland are different because their meet is short and is somewhat of a social event.
Until racing gets serious about uniform drug rules, racing rules, national licensing, track safety, and effective marketing one would expect the downward trend to continue. It seems every racing jurisdiction is rowing in a different direction. But always moving in the direction of their individual vested interest.
Outermonvolia wrote: Until racing gets serious about uniform drug rules, racing rules, national licensing, track safety, and effective marketing one would expect the downward trend to continue.
They could fully address all those things and still the downward trend would continue. In fact, addressing those things via a bloated overhead structure they'd add would likely accelerate it. That's why the enemies of the sport keep using most of those very talking points, knowing that slow strangulation eventually will do the identical job that an immediate ban (their preferred option) would.
I have a nephew who is a natural for a new fan and serious bettor. If I advised him to switch from poker to racing, he'd laugh at me. He's bright, likes mind challenges, and loves to gamble. He's an expert with the math, and looks at racing about the same way he looks at keno, or some other form of gambling with a prohibitive take.
Here's the first step toward any scheme to rescue racing: take the government's ravenous mitt out of the gross pot. Anything short of that is due to fail, simply because of the fundamentals of competitive alternatives. Period. They could have 100% safe racing surfaces, and if the take at the big tracks is around 20%, they'll have empty stands, guaranteed. The new generation isn't that dumb.
The sport needs young dudes with fat wallets and the disposition to spend at the track. Hell, marketing a topless bar would do more to help the bottom line than telling Ms. Peta Pony Petter that the track has fewer breakdowns.
First off, it must be fair. Are we talking owners or gamblers here? Want new owners? Don't make the investment side so laughable. Meaning: if you are to invest your money, nowadays you had better go with a trainer that uses EVERY advantage to win, regardless of legality or ethic. If you choose to go the straight and narrow, its laughable. Its a joke. Basically, it's cheat or get beat. How appealing for a new owner. 
LEVEL the playing field and make the investment an investment. That's all an owner can ask. UNIFORMITY. It's a buzzword, even at Nascar (http://www.nascar.com/news/features/nwi ... index.html)
As for the gambler, the experience has got to be better. Take out, being government or at the track is important, but I would say only for the serious gambler. The sport needs to be more of a recreational pursuit. Problem is, there is so much time at the track where there is NOTHING to look at. I know that sounds silly, but from a strictly cosmetic standpoint, you cannot compare us to any other sport. We are the opposite of baseball: we have 2 minutes of action followed by 30 minutes of "downtime". Baseball has 2 minutes of commercials, followed by an inning (some would say slow, but at least your eyes are focused). Nascar. Yes, its just cars spinning around the track, but during the event, you know where the action is.Less time between races. That is the first step. 20 minutes. Let's quicken the pace. Right after the race move to the horses in the paddock. SLOW the pace during a Graded Stakes race, back to 30-40 minutes. Highlight the moments.
Anyway, all good thoughts.
LEVEL the playing field and make the investment an investment. That's all an owner can ask. UNIFORMITY. It's a buzzword, even at Nascar (http://www.nascar.com/news/features/nwi ... index.html)
As for the gambler, the experience has got to be better. Take out, being government or at the track is important, but I would say only for the serious gambler. The sport needs to be more of a recreational pursuit. Problem is, there is so much time at the track where there is NOTHING to look at. I know that sounds silly, but from a strictly cosmetic standpoint, you cannot compare us to any other sport. We are the opposite of baseball: we have 2 minutes of action followed by 30 minutes of "downtime". Baseball has 2 minutes of commercials, followed by an inning (some would say slow, but at least your eyes are focused). Nascar. Yes, its just cars spinning around the track, but during the event, you know where the action is.Less time between races. That is the first step. 20 minutes. Let's quicken the pace. Right after the race move to the horses in the paddock. SLOW the pace during a Graded Stakes race, back to 30-40 minutes. Highlight the moments.
Anyway, all good thoughts.
You can watch horse racing at home. I think that hurts the sport more than people would admit. Its been at least 2 years since I went out to Laurel to see live horseracing. I watch TVG most of the time. I find myself looking up at the out of town races anyway when I am at laurel. The only big racing day in Maryland is the Preakness. I may go see the Maryland Million but its been at least 2 years.
I can sit in my nice home theater chairs and bet via the computer. Why waste gas, parking fee, admission, bad food etc and time sitting at a dump like Laurel?
I can sit in my nice home theater chairs and bet via the computer. Why waste gas, parking fee, admission, bad food etc and time sitting at a dump like Laurel?
Aw c'mon HR!!!
I still go to Laurel even though it is a dump. I like to get out and see live racing, plain and simple. Put a few bets in for fun. Pimlico's neighborhood is plain scary--Laurel's is questionable. I got to see Curlin's Preakness last year.
In Maryland, I believe, we are beyond a turning point. The vote on slots is, in my opinion, going to be a close one. People will bemoan all the crime that slots will bring in--hell, they haven't done squat to curb the crime that goes on now so why start fussing about crime? And if you hate gambling--then don't (these are probably folks who spend plenty on lottery tickets to keep the stadiums that losing teams play in).
I posted a slide show with some of the pics I took around the area dealing with horse racing history. The pics of the stone horses that are right before Bowie stare, to me, into the abyss that Maryland racing is in right now. A lot of history but perhaps no future. And that may be said for the state of horse racing, period.
I still go to Laurel even though it is a dump. I like to get out and see live racing, plain and simple. Put a few bets in for fun. Pimlico's neighborhood is plain scary--Laurel's is questionable. I got to see Curlin's Preakness last year.
In Maryland, I believe, we are beyond a turning point. The vote on slots is, in my opinion, going to be a close one. People will bemoan all the crime that slots will bring in--hell, they haven't done squat to curb the crime that goes on now so why start fussing about crime? And if you hate gambling--then don't (these are probably folks who spend plenty on lottery tickets to keep the stadiums that losing teams play in).
I posted a slide show with some of the pics I took around the area dealing with horse racing history. The pics of the stone horses that are right before Bowie stare, to me, into the abyss that Maryland racing is in right now. A lot of history but perhaps no future. And that may be said for the state of horse racing, period.
A horse gallops with his lungs
Perseveres with his heart
And wins with his character. --Tesio
Perseveres with his heart
And wins with his character. --Tesio
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geowarrior
- Leading Sire
- Posts: 3593
- Joined: Sat Jul 08, 2006 12:45 pm
- Location: Spokane, WA
Family days and alternative entertainment are crucial in my opinion. I disagree with those who are focused only on the gambler.
More attention should be paid to the spectacle and to the sport as general entertainment. I went to Sun Downs (which is a little track in WA at the Tri Cities Fairgrounds, and they have about 6-8 weekends of Thoroughbred/Quarter Horse racing a year). I had a great time. Beer wasn't allowed outside so there were tons of families there, people got to pet the outrider horses, and there were good views of all kinds to be had of the racehorses (except for the saddling area which was a little disappointing - there isn't a paddock). Everybody was having a really good time, but NOT everybody was gambling. This business of 'punters rights' as they'd say in Britain is highly overrated.
I also enjoyed the Weiner Dog Championships at Los Alamitos on t.v. the other night and it seemed that the crowd enjoyed them too. Say what you will about Los Al, but it certainly encourages families - another fun event they have is the Halloween Costume competitions.
Concerts, family days with bouncies etc., kid's 'jockey clubs' where they are taken to the backstretch and taught about racing (they have that at Arlington). 'Extreme' days, retired and famous horses being brought in to parade. The possibilities are numerous but nobody can think beyond slot machines.
More attention should be paid to the spectacle and to the sport as general entertainment. I went to Sun Downs (which is a little track in WA at the Tri Cities Fairgrounds, and they have about 6-8 weekends of Thoroughbred/Quarter Horse racing a year). I had a great time. Beer wasn't allowed outside so there were tons of families there, people got to pet the outrider horses, and there were good views of all kinds to be had of the racehorses (except for the saddling area which was a little disappointing - there isn't a paddock). Everybody was having a really good time, but NOT everybody was gambling. This business of 'punters rights' as they'd say in Britain is highly overrated.
I also enjoyed the Weiner Dog Championships at Los Alamitos on t.v. the other night and it seemed that the crowd enjoyed them too. Say what you will about Los Al, but it certainly encourages families - another fun event they have is the Halloween Costume competitions.
Concerts, family days with bouncies etc., kid's 'jockey clubs' where they are taken to the backstretch and taught about racing (they have that at Arlington). 'Extreme' days, retired and famous horses being brought in to parade. The possibilities are numerous but nobody can think beyond slot machines.
HR wrote,
If racing is hurt by television exposure it's a cult of one. All other major sports benefit from television exposure. I can watch the S.F. Giants and the Oakland A's every night on TV for free, yet attendance is strong for both venues.
Others on this thread have touched on key points needed to grow racing. I endorse those ideas and would only add that purse structure must raise to levels where ownership has a reasonable opportunity to break even and a comprehensive PR campaign must be developed both regionally and nationally.
You can watch horse racing at home. I think that hurts the sport more than people would admit.
If racing is hurt by television exposure it's a cult of one. All other major sports benefit from television exposure. I can watch the S.F. Giants and the Oakland A's every night on TV for free, yet attendance is strong for both venues.
Others on this thread have touched on key points needed to grow racing. I endorse those ideas and would only add that purse structure must raise to levels where ownership has a reasonable opportunity to break even and a comprehensive PR campaign must be developed both regionally and nationally.
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mightyhijames
- Starters Handicap
- Posts: 570
- Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2005 7:15 am
geowarrior wrote:
Concerts, family days with bouncies etc., kid's 'jockey clubs' where they are taken to the backstretch and taught about racing (they have that at Arlington). 'Extreme' days, retired and famous horses being brought in to parade. The possibilities are numerous but nobody can think beyond slot machines.
every week we're in front of the simulcast monitors and every week we comment on the number of people on the apron at arlington park. the jocks hand out goggles to kids waiting w/they're hands out after each race. a friend that lives up there has their office picnic at the track each year and says its fantastic. i don't know what their numbers are but whatever they're doing appears to be working.
Zinn11,
Baseball has a TV contract in the billions...your team is on regardless of the attendence. The baseball owners work together to better the product and EVERY team makes money. The highest grossing team in terms of revenue are the Marlins. They have no more than 10k in attendence at home in a 50k seat stadium but they make the most money. That is due in part to the tv contract and revenue sharing. Baseball and all the other major sports knows its only as good as its worst franchise. So they do everything to make sure the lowest owner is making money. Plus you see a lot of new stadiums popping up to keep the fans coming in. I hate Laurel because its a dump along with Pimlico. So I never go out there. I would drive to Del Park before I go 10 miles to Laurel from my home in Bowie.
The tracks cant even share signals without fighting each other. Every group is fighting each other for a slice of the pie. I cant get HRTV on direct tv during the winter so I dont get to see SoCal or Gulfstream racing. That is insane to me. You would think they can broadcast the major tracks to everyone year around.
Owners cant make money so the sport will continue to suffer and be dominated by large partnerships or super rich owners...
Baseball has a TV contract in the billions...your team is on regardless of the attendence. The baseball owners work together to better the product and EVERY team makes money. The highest grossing team in terms of revenue are the Marlins. They have no more than 10k in attendence at home in a 50k seat stadium but they make the most money. That is due in part to the tv contract and revenue sharing. Baseball and all the other major sports knows its only as good as its worst franchise. So they do everything to make sure the lowest owner is making money. Plus you see a lot of new stadiums popping up to keep the fans coming in. I hate Laurel because its a dump along with Pimlico. So I never go out there. I would drive to Del Park before I go 10 miles to Laurel from my home in Bowie.
The tracks cant even share signals without fighting each other. Every group is fighting each other for a slice of the pie. I cant get HRTV on direct tv during the winter so I dont get to see SoCal or Gulfstream racing. That is insane to me. You would think they can broadcast the major tracks to everyone year around.
Owners cant make money so the sport will continue to suffer and be dominated by large partnerships or super rich owners...
mightyhijames wrote:geowarrior wrote:
Concerts, family days with bouncies etc., kid's 'jockey clubs' where they are taken to the backstretch and taught about racing (they have that at Arlington). 'Extreme' days, retired and famous horses being brought in to parade. The possibilities are numerous but nobody can think beyond slot machines.
every week we're in front of the simulcast monitors and every week we comment on the number of people on the apron at arlington park. the jocks hand out goggles to kids waiting w/they're hands out after each race. a friend that lives up there has their office picnic at the track each year and says its fantastic. i don't know what their numbers are but whatever they're doing appears to be working.
Absolutely!
The entire industry should be taking its cue from Arlington Park. There are creative and fun billboards all over the chicagoland area--creative and amusing radio advertising--Arlington has a reputation for being a summer outing for the whole family--there's a live band on Friday evenings (I know of several businesses/office groups who plan a "team building" afternoon at Arlington at least once during racing season!)--they have a petting zoo for children and a Junior Jockey Club for kids who love horses and racing. Also, the staff at Arlington must receive a lot of good training in customer service because, almost without fail, everyone is friendly and helpful.
I love watching the kids waving and calling to the jockeys after the race! I think the jockeys enjoy passing on their goggles as much as the kids enjoy getting them.
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Blue feather
- Allowance Winner
- Posts: 318
- Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2006 6:17 am
The thoroughbred industry should use the other major spectator sports as a model. The first thing we need is unification. It's difficult to steer a ship with 36 captains. In other sports , fans range from casual to serious. In our sport the stereotypical fan is a throw back from a long gone era where racing was the only game in town. We need to broaden the fan base. The major races are still healthy as far as draw. The Smarty Jones Belmont was an indication of that. That tells me the interest is still there. How about a rule that doesn't allow horses to go to stud until they're a 5yo. Gives time for the fan to connect and also unvails the degree soundness of a potential stallion. How about fantasy stables. Along the lines of fantasy football. Allows people who can't afford ownership to experience the game from a different perspective. As most of you know, once you experience ownership, it's hard to find anything as exciting. The bottom line is our sport needs to be marketed to the masses. It has to be user friendly so the casual fan can easily participate as well as the serious handicapper.
Prairie....you brought back memories of my youth spent at Arlington on Memorial Day weekends!
I would have to agree that Arlington gets it right. It was an awesome place when I was a kid and I am so happy to hear that they are family friendly and working hard at creating new racing fans.
I think Maryland is gunning for slots because of the surrounding states have succeeded with creating better purses for their racing. Racing wasn't handled very well here...the tracks competed with each other for dates. The bullring track (half miler) at Upper Marlboro ceased to run races because it was embroiled in political controversy--the grandstand burned down one night and that was it. Bowie got the summer (and winter) dates where the weather is not fit for man or beast; it closed in the mid-80s. Pimlico is in the ghetto and no real money has been put into it as well as Laurel although I heard plans to re-do the track (move the grandstand to what now is the backstretch) but with Magna shuffling people around and selling tracks and losing money, that is really a pipe dream. A co-worker of mine predicts the Preakness will no longer be run in Maryland in the next few years.
It still pains me to think that with the horse racing heritage Maryland has that it is dying a slow tortuous death. November's vote might be the final blow if it goes in the negative direction. There will be no incentive to keep the tracks open.
I would have to agree that Arlington gets it right. It was an awesome place when I was a kid and I am so happy to hear that they are family friendly and working hard at creating new racing fans.
I think Maryland is gunning for slots because of the surrounding states have succeeded with creating better purses for their racing. Racing wasn't handled very well here...the tracks competed with each other for dates. The bullring track (half miler) at Upper Marlboro ceased to run races because it was embroiled in political controversy--the grandstand burned down one night and that was it. Bowie got the summer (and winter) dates where the weather is not fit for man or beast; it closed in the mid-80s. Pimlico is in the ghetto and no real money has been put into it as well as Laurel although I heard plans to re-do the track (move the grandstand to what now is the backstretch) but with Magna shuffling people around and selling tracks and losing money, that is really a pipe dream. A co-worker of mine predicts the Preakness will no longer be run in Maryland in the next few years.
It still pains me to think that with the horse racing heritage Maryland has that it is dying a slow tortuous death. November's vote might be the final blow if it goes in the negative direction. There will be no incentive to keep the tracks open.
A horse gallops with his lungs
Perseveres with his heart
And wins with his character. --Tesio
Perseveres with his heart
And wins with his character. --Tesio
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Morningside
- Maiden Special Weight
- Posts: 205
- Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2005 7:13 pm
- Location: New York, NY
I haven't been to very many tracks, but my impression is that, at least from my experiences at Belmont and Saratoga, the entertainment aspect is just not there. I think we'll be much better off if tracks would start doing $1 tickets to attract more people to go racing, give away free t-shirts, bring in more real vendors, not that franchise burger crap but real good quick food, or do a big bbq to make it fun for families. I think racing here has been waaay too commercialized and too betting oriented, and that is why we havent been able to draw any new casual fans.
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mightyhijames
- Starters Handicap
- Posts: 570
- Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2005 7:15 am
Morningside wrote:I haven't been to very many tracks, but my impression is that, at least from my experiences at Belmont and Saratoga, the entertainment aspect is just not there. I think we'll be much better off if tracks would start doing $1 tickets to attract more people to go racing, give away free t-shirts, bring in more real vendors, not that franchise burger crap but real good quick food, or do a big bbq to make it fun for families. I think racing here has been waaay too commercialized and too betting oriented, and that is why we havent been able to draw any new casual fans.
i'm also a marylander hoping that somehow we manage to pull ourselves out of the mess we've become. one thing i noticed about delaware that (i believe) would help maryland is a family-friendly area w/playground/amusements for the kids and a comfortable place for whoever is watching the kids. i've watched these poor parents (usually moms) sitting on the hot pavement w/small children and thought how miserable that must be, not to mention the annoyance of the horse players.