Get agreement amongst the 37 states that allow racing that we want to actually stabilize and expand instead of allow it to wither. That's rather vague, but for an opener, let's concede that not everyone wants to continue racing as much as they wish to continue to receive funding via takeout or the next replacement: casino games.
In no particular order, brainstorming:
As someone else said here, go to all dirt/turf with only sparing use of synthetics in climates where they are absolutely necessary as an all-weather surface.
Enforce a rule that racino's must advertise their parimutuel products as much as the casino game side. Exhibit A requiring remediation is Parx, which you would not even know has a track from the television, radio and billboard ads in the Philly area.
In step with above, advertise the sport in general. It has advantages over the casino model for the player, as there is not enforced per-wager negative expectation. Life changing, lottery level scores occur several times per year via the pick-6, both traditional and jackpot.
Pick up the tab for HorsePlayers the TV show to have a second season, as it is good advertisement for the sport.
Attempt to re-establish media relationships so that results and entries are covered again in newspapers, and stakes races covered in local TV sports coverage.
Get every track to upgrade TV monitors to HD or 4k, and include Trakus. The standardization of saddle cloth colors following the 1990 simulcast legislation was a good idea - further standardizing and upgrading player experience at the venues would also help.
Make race replays free via mobile and internet apps.
Make a free tote board app that has an API for programmers to get real live odds so that the high tech oriented players can integrate that into their spreadsheets and apps.
More horseplayer tournaments, with some especially geared at teaching new players the ins and outs.
Mobile apps that notify players of scratches, condition changes, and results of contests they have wagered on, as appropriate. Interfaces that quickly let you wager in response to changes.
Spearhead movement to change the antequated and unfair taxation practice on exotic bet winnings. Also fight to remove practices of restrictive state laws like those currently in Texas.
I am sure there are more things we can do. The key is preserving what is great about the sport and the racing, while upgrading other experiences to a level that 2014 should offer, and abandoning dead ends (like synthetic tracks).
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