Saving Maryland Racing

Barbaro06 · Postby **Barbaro06** » Mon May 11, 2009 4:14 am

Beyer had an article in today's Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/10/AR2009051001314.html

He argues to end live racing at Laurel and have Pimlico run a short meet in the spring.

Granted Laurel isn't in the greatest neighborhoods either, but keep Pimlico? Something's got to be done about the scary neighborhood there as well as the track. I do agree about the year round racing. Go back to the time where race meets were held in the spring, part of the fall and then went dormant for winter. I recall the days racing ceased in the northern climes and Florida racing didn't get going until late January.

Any thoughts???

mightyhijames · Postby **mightyhijames** » Mon May 11, 2009 5:20 am

IMO, beyer is totally off-base about laurel. what laurel should be doing is morphing itself into a showcase turf track. the state-of-the-art track is already in place but is so under-utilized its pathatic. get rid of winter racing (january-february), no one is interested. additionally, laurel had to drastically reduce the outside apron area drastically to build the new dirt and turf track surfaces, but there are still areas on either turn that could be turned into family-friendly grassy areas, much like the first turn at delaware. laurel also boasts the largest enclosed facility on the east coast which could used for other family-friendly activities, organization outings, etc.

beyer did hit the nail square on the head about maryland politicians. they should all be ashamed for what they have done to the racing industry. the maryland jockey club has been totally ineffective as well by not making an effort to educate and inform the non-racing public on what the loss of racing would mean to maryland.

it will be interesting to see how the slots debacle plays out. personally, i don't think slots at laurel is a dead issue but that remains to be seen.

mightyhijames · Postby **mightyhijames** » Mon May 11, 2009 8:14 am

now they're talking about slots at ft. meade. wasn't one of the reasons NOT to pass the slots bill was because of all the military people w/access to sensitive material coming to the area, i guess, would become slots addicts and sell secrets?

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/c ... -plan.html

Joltman · Postby **Joltman** » Mon May 11, 2009 3:18 pm

Colonial Downs tried the 'boutique' approach. It has a boutique track (lousy seating and viewing) a boutique clientele (touristas) and a boutique turf course which is also woefully underutilized. Come to think of it, MJC has/had been ineptly managing Cnl as well.

Even the harness horsemen who run the county fairs have a 'circuit' where they can consistently enter their horses week to week and develop their stock. They can move them up or down to meet their fitness and form. The 'boutique meet' approach might work for a handful of very high end owners, but the guys who actually fill the cards day in and day out need those lower end races (and dates) to develop their stock. In the old days the horses who were 'done' could be routinely retired to farm (or cavalry) duty. Or in worst case, sent to the Gaines people and become Gainesburger. None of those options is popular any more. Kill the bottom end of the pyramid at the the base and there is no support for the 'boutique' operations. Let's see how long Del Mar lasts if SA and Hol go belly up.

jm

Barbaro06 · Postby **Barbaro06** » Mon May 11, 2009 5:59 pm

Interesting observations jolt and mighty. Yeah, I'm surprised that they would consider slots at Ft. Meade. I agree about the politicians...they fiddled with the idea of slots for way too long and now it might be too little too late. Now all of a sudden a cash cow might go away (the Preakness) and NOW racing is soooo damn important to Maryland.

Another point I agree with...no winter racing....too damn cold.

Joltman · Postby **Joltman** » Mon May 11, 2009 6:42 pm

Aw cmon.

COLD = night racing at Rosecroft in mid Jan. with an open air grandstand.

Best you could do is find the little radiant heater hanging from the roof and stand underneath it.

the harness horses didn't seem to mind much tho.

jm

helen in FL · Postby **helen in FL** » Mon May 11, 2009 10:19 pm

mightyhijames wrote:now they're talking about slots at ft. meade. wasn't one of the reasons NOT to pass the slots bill was because of all the military people w/access to sensitive material coming to the area, i guess, would become slots addicts and sell secrets?

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/c ... -plan.html

I would love to play slots at the bowling alley, take a trip to the shopette and head home with wild turkey tucked under the arm. The little game they have there now is not enough entertainment if you asked me.