now that's the kind of good ole US ingenuity that we've come to expect. if that doesn't get the sport to grow, I ask what will??

Did it work?

Were they named after Grade 1 horses from the past?

How much for "extras" ?

I heard Paris Hilton is considering moving to the St. Louis area because she simply can't get enough of Fairmount.

You got some bad info buster!

She, and her herpes sores, are making the move to Chester Wva....the home of wild and wonderful Mountaineer Park.

you know what? that might not be a bad campaign for NTRA to run with.
They could hire Paris and she could do ads, make paddock appearances, hand out the trophies, maybe show up on ESPN sitting next to Jerry Bailey holding her little dog, "horse racing, that's hot" could be her tag line. this would attract all kinds of kids.

maybe we're getting somewhere now.

That we are ArlJim, that we are.

Al I know is 6-8 of them were there on a Sat night taking pictures. Why weren't they doing this at my track when I was growing up.

perhaps if this trend takes off, when trainers are interviewed by the press the first question will be "and what are you wearing?"

It will be WHO are you wearing. Ala the Oscars. They can get one of those metro dudes to do the interviews. :D

LOL!!!!! I agree, the LAST thing I want to do is wear God damn heels to the track, if you can't dress casual and comfortable there, than where the hell can you!

Hasn't Hollywood's later post time on Friday nights worked very well? Keeneland is a very 'trendy track' and they never have a problem with attendance and trust me, many of those people are not your year round racing affecionados but they are throwing money into the windows because it 'looks cool'.

Nothing will help Aqueduct...I'm a die hard fan of racing and I don't want to step foot in the place.

You guys are killing me!!!! LOL!!!! They could sure use a nice importation of Dentists, thats for sure!:D

Sounds like someone could make a killing opening up a singles bar.

Wimp!

the problem is not getting people to the track --- or making the track trendy or popular --- IMO, it's about educating them on a game that is tremendously intimidating and complex.

I like the idea of getting dressed up for the big meetings... I think its a fine suggestion by the creator of this thread! It won't and shouldnt work for the run of the mill race meetings, but for the bigger ones, it would be nice..

i'm so stupid, I meant "who are you wearing"
duh

:D

I think the problem is twofold. You'll always draw people to Saratoga, but I think a lot of tracks do suffer by not being the trendy or popular or respectful place for people who are not fans yet to attend. Saratoga doesn't suffer for the reasons that it is all of those things and yet also has a very casual and family friendly side. (SARATOGA RULES! :) ) What do you think is the general public perception of the racetrack? The answer does not lie in better dress code (although since everyone is treating it like a business and not a sport shouldn't they be dressing like it?), but if you build an atmosphere in which all people want to show up than you'll have a group of people that you can educate on racing.

I definitely agree that they need to find ways to educate people at the track.

Someday I'll see you at Royal Ascot! ;)

you're right, but these are just isolated cases. there are only a few niche areas that could cater to this type of crowd. Keeneland and Sarotaga are high end marquee meets that are really events to themselves. Hollywood and Arlington to an extent have drawn in the youth crowd with some success. but to revive our sport and make it grow these are just drops in the bucket.

I think Del Mar have done a good job getting a young crowd. When I was there on opening Friday, there were plenty there. Sure they might have been there mainly for the concert afterwards but still..