. . . maybe we can be proud of ourselves again someday.

[Whirlaway]

Interesting read and even more interesting comments at end of article . . .

http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/wgoh/archive/2011/04/19/derby-dizzy-by-evan-hammonds.aspx

[Bast]

Interesting read and even more interesting comments at end of article . . .

http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/wgoh/archive/2011/04/19/derby-dizzy-by-evan-hammonds.aspx

There has been moaning and whining about the death of racing since the early 1960s, but this time, I think it is for real.

The public is now unaware of racing beyond the Kentucky Derby, and this year, the Derby doesn't look to be a Grade 1 race. For the first time in the 50 years I've been following this game, I cannot throw out ANY of the possible starters in the earnings table--in fact, I like some of the horses on the fringes of eligibility. If this race could be run 20 different times, there might be 20 different winners depending on circumstances.

[bdw0617]

I don't think horse racing is dead at all, but I do see things playing out a certain way and the game eventually fixing itself out of necessity.

[Bast]

I don't think horse racing is dead at all, but I do see things playing out a certain way and the game eventually fixing itself out of necessity.

Who's going to do it? How do you get racing into the public view again? How do you stop the embarrassingly awful American tv coverage of racing? How do you educate people about a sport that is so impenetrable to anyone new?

There are a lot of problems, but I don't see many solutions arising.

[Joltman]

The Marketing Gurus in the biz are a generation behind. Nobody is sitting around on Sat afternoons watching TV except for major action on major sports. A marketing plan that makes live racing visible on the Internet, free pps/info, easy platforms for getting introduced to it, etc. will be the ticket moving forward. PUSH technology - not bobblehead gimmicks.

Another advantage of racing is that the Baby boomers still might relate to racing especially in certain major markets (NYC), now with time on their hands and a few with some cash in their pockets (the union guys at least).

Japanese and Aussie fans know the game and who is tapping those immigrant markets well?

And yes, this may be radical, but the breakdowns do not hurt the game because, in part, they add the 'thrill edge' that major sports enthusiasts want. They WANT to see it taken to the edge. Yes it goes over the edge (too often) but I'm just talking human behavior.

Finally, the ownership angle is a great (hidden) asset. For a couple hundred bucks you can actually get in on owning - and living it yourself. Closest thing is buying (worthless) stock in the Green Bay Packers.

jm