Current state of Thoroughbred Racing....

[jpops757]

IMO. Thero-bred racing needs some kind of national governing body to supercede any state or regoinal orgs. Gambling is a necesary evil that is required for TB racing but the sport has to be the driving force. As long as gambling rules the racing TB racing will remain a minor sport in the publics eyes. Two yr olds racing, arent they actually making purses availiable for work outs prior to Ap 1st. Just think about it ! The states issue a liscense to operate a race track based on there ability to operate a gambling establishment and little or no concern for the racing industry. Think about it how many of us would be TB fans without the gambling aspect. Look at all the major sports they thrive because of rabid fans. Im not trying to say no gambling takes place but it is not what makes the sport popular. This is just my opinion and you can probably rip it to shreds but have at it.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by jpops757

IMO. Thero-bred racing needs some kind of national governing body to supercede any state or regoinal orgs. Gambling is a necesary evil that is required for TB racing but the sport has to be the driving force. As long as gambling rules the racing TB racing will remain a minor sport in the publics eyes. Two yr olds racing, arent they actually making purses availiable for work outs prior to Ap 1st. Just think about it ! The states issue a liscense to operate a race track based on there ability to operate a gambling establishment and little or no concern for the racing industry. Think about it how many of us would be TB fans without the gambling aspect. Look at all the major sports they thrive because of rabid fans. Im not trying to say no gambling takes place but it is not what makes the sport popular. This is just my opinion and you can probably rip it to shreds but have at it.

States rights is a huge issue that carries implications far greater than our sport. The states would fight tooth and nail any attempt to create a national governing body. It simply will not happen. The merits of it notwithstanding, our sport is 99% dependant on gambling. It simply is not a mainstream sport, nor will it ever be. The way mainstream sports generate revenue are not pertinent to our sport. We have no tv contract outside the triple crown, its preps and the BC and its preps. We have virtually no merchandising and admissions are hardly a source of revenue. Look at the NFL, they supposedly speak out against gambling but every move they make is geared toward helping create more gambling on the games. Do you think Sunday night and thusday night games are bet more heavily than if they were played Sunday at 1? We as a sport should regulate the problems, and promote the fact that a day at the races can get you damn rich if you happen to catch the right results. Nobody in the public is interested in a thursday card at ANY track unless you can make money off of it. Hell in our society almost nothing is appealing to the public unless there is some monetary value attached to it.

[Danzig]

gambling is handled by the states, but all other aspects could be, and should be, handled by one governing body. drug standards especially.

[jpops757]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

States rights is a huge issue that carries implications far greater than our sport. The states would fight tooth and nail any attempt to create a national governing body. It simply will not happen. The merits of it notwithstanding, our sport is 99% dependant on gambling. It simply is not a mainstream sport, nor will it ever be. The way mainstream sports generate revenue are not pertinent to our sport. We have no tv contract outside the triple crown, its preps and the BC and its preps. We have virtually no merchandising and admissions are hardly a source of revenue. Look at the NFL, they supposedly speak out against gambling but every move they make is geared toward helping create more gambling on the games. Do you think Sunday night and thusday night games are bet more heavily than if they were played Sunday at 1? We as a sport should regulate the problems, and promote the fact that a day at the races can get you damn rich if you happen to catch the right results. Nobody in the public is interested in a thursday card at ANY track unless you can make money off of it. Hell in our society almost nothing is appealing to the public unless there is some monetary value attached to it.

Well said chuck. My knowledge of the inside of the sport is limited but it sounds to me if we have folks like you the Jacksons and the guy that owns Oaklawn[Cella i think] the sport has some people that respect the sport and really want some improvements.