http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/nation ... ntary.aspx[url]
Some of the comments are interesting too.
Check out this article on TB times
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-
ides of ice
- Maiden Special Weight
- Posts: 164
- Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2012 9:35 am
- Location: Ocala
Check out this article on TB times
He that lives in a glass house throws no stones.
Here's a reply in TTimes today
On one hand, I have to admire anyone who is willing to get
an opinion out there as to how to improve the sport of horse
racing. But I believe Mr. Fred Pope’s opinion in the [August 11
issue of] THOROUGHBRED TIMES TODAY falls short on a number
of fronts, mostly due to oversimplification. It’s great to emphasize
the Olympics or the top-end sports like MLB, NFL, etc.
But to say that the emphasis needs to be solely on these areas
misses the essential dynamics of sport. Almost no one goes directly
into such sports. Most athletes are trained for years—
minor league and college baseball, college football (and CFL),
golf club championships and lower-end tournament trails (minitours,
Q school, even U.S. Open qualifiers) where the crowds
are small at these ‘losing’ propositions financially. The major
sports plow big dollars into these people and venues because
they realize where the future stars come from who will play on
the big stage and have to learn how to play there. Without those
venues, how do the superior athletes emerge?
The progression from local, low-level racing to the elite company
of ‘The Bigs’ in racing follows a similar path, and builds interest
and following as the local horse shows up against the big boys. So
Smarty Jones starts out at Penn National in a low-level stakes and
eventually climbs the ladder to Kentucky Derby winner. This is
part of the great lure and lore of racing where the horse from the
little, unknown outfits (e.g. Mine That Bird) emerges to compete
and compete well against the bigger, more powerful stables.
The small tracks and claiming races are the minor leagues—
no doubt. But they can be as entertaining and, for the bettor,
profitable as the Breeders’ Cup. California claimers routinely
move up to stakes and graded stakes company.
If you want a 3,000 horse foal crop from which the ‘best only’
are raced, the sport and the breed itself will suffer. You will
eliminate the breadth and base of the industry and breed, and
it will soon only be the Sport of Kings (or Sheikhs) again soon.
There are other, common sense, simple solutions to improvement—
in small steps. A simple look at how poorly most
small tracks are managed will point to dozens of small but important
changes that can be made. They’ll gather the experts
at another Round Table at some storied venue like Saratoga to
try to solve the problems—and fail yet again. Maybe try asking
someone who can make a payroll with a stable of mostly $5,000
claimers? Or ask the fans themselves? Or ask me—I’ll send you
50 and won’t charge the NTRA a dime in consulting fees.
—
an opinion out there as to how to improve the sport of horse
racing. But I believe Mr. Fred Pope’s opinion in the [August 11
issue of] THOROUGHBRED TIMES TODAY falls short on a number
of fronts, mostly due to oversimplification. It’s great to emphasize
the Olympics or the top-end sports like MLB, NFL, etc.
But to say that the emphasis needs to be solely on these areas
misses the essential dynamics of sport. Almost no one goes directly
into such sports. Most athletes are trained for years—
minor league and college baseball, college football (and CFL),
golf club championships and lower-end tournament trails (minitours,
Q school, even U.S. Open qualifiers) where the crowds
are small at these ‘losing’ propositions financially. The major
sports plow big dollars into these people and venues because
they realize where the future stars come from who will play on
the big stage and have to learn how to play there. Without those
venues, how do the superior athletes emerge?
The progression from local, low-level racing to the elite company
of ‘The Bigs’ in racing follows a similar path, and builds interest
and following as the local horse shows up against the big boys. So
Smarty Jones starts out at Penn National in a low-level stakes and
eventually climbs the ladder to Kentucky Derby winner. This is
part of the great lure and lore of racing where the horse from the
little, unknown outfits (e.g. Mine That Bird) emerges to compete
and compete well against the bigger, more powerful stables.
The small tracks and claiming races are the minor leagues—
no doubt. But they can be as entertaining and, for the bettor,
profitable as the Breeders’ Cup. California claimers routinely
move up to stakes and graded stakes company.
If you want a 3,000 horse foal crop from which the ‘best only’
are raced, the sport and the breed itself will suffer. You will
eliminate the breadth and base of the industry and breed, and
it will soon only be the Sport of Kings (or Sheikhs) again soon.
There are other, common sense, simple solutions to improvement—
in small steps. A simple look at how poorly most
small tracks are managed will point to dozens of small but important
changes that can be made. They’ll gather the experts
at another Round Table at some storied venue like Saratoga to
try to solve the problems—and fail yet again. Maybe try asking
someone who can make a payroll with a stable of mostly $5,000
claimers? Or ask the fans themselves? Or ask me—I’ll send you
50 and won’t charge the NTRA a dime in consulting fees.
—
Run the race - the one that's really worth winning.
-
ides of ice
- Maiden Special Weight
- Posts: 164
- Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2012 9:35 am
- Location: Ocala
here are a few
Smaller tracks have different issues than big ones - in that attracting crowds in numbers will be difficult. Generally speaking though, from my experience, small tracks are often under staffed, so you have basic issues like
- cleanliness
- competancy of ticket sellers
- design issues
Example, Colonial Downs is relatively new but poorly designed, making race watching an unpleasant experience. Despite daily cards in Va heat in summer 90 degrees plus, there is no decent grandstand view of the live race in AC. So patrons sit under tents on baked tarmac. Most races are on the turf, 60 yards away, offering no personal contact for patrons actually iinterested in HORSES, not just betting opportunities. Were it mine I would jackhammer the concrete and plant serious trees to create at least a shaded paddock. Charles Town - also small, offers a much better close up view and experience.
Most small tracks charge outrageous prices for a hot dog and a beer, thinking they'll make money there. Just turns off the little guy who wants to take the family to watch the horses and spend some money. A tiered experience is best - offering premium experience for a price, but access for the entry level patron. Emphasize the horse and sport, not just wagering.
much much more can be done
jm
- cleanliness
- competancy of ticket sellers
- design issues
Example, Colonial Downs is relatively new but poorly designed, making race watching an unpleasant experience. Despite daily cards in Va heat in summer 90 degrees plus, there is no decent grandstand view of the live race in AC. So patrons sit under tents on baked tarmac. Most races are on the turf, 60 yards away, offering no personal contact for patrons actually iinterested in HORSES, not just betting opportunities. Were it mine I would jackhammer the concrete and plant serious trees to create at least a shaded paddock. Charles Town - also small, offers a much better close up view and experience.
Most small tracks charge outrageous prices for a hot dog and a beer, thinking they'll make money there. Just turns off the little guy who wants to take the family to watch the horses and spend some money. A tiered experience is best - offering premium experience for a price, but access for the entry level patron. Emphasize the horse and sport, not just wagering.
much much more can be done
jm
Run the race - the one that's really worth winning.