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#1
06-13-2007, 12:15 PM
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Everything is Relative!
While reading each of the above posts I had some thoughts on most of them some I agree with and some I do not. Any way the sport has been "dying" for as long as I have been a fan (about 26 years.) I do not have actual figures in front of me but I would venture to guess that while attendance is decling national handle is probably remaining fairly constant or even improving.
Here are my thoughts & comments on the above posts: Post # 1 Declining attendance for 30 years back when Ruffian ran. This is probably true. If you think about some of the old races you have seen and look at the charts to the races we can see attendance was higher in the 40s & 50s than it was in the 70s & 80s. I would think this decline could be attributable to different forms of entertainment being created. Most homes only had a radio in the 40s & 50s but by the 70s they probably all had color TV (technicolor no less.) Today most homes have computers with internet access, cable or satellite TV, multiple phones, etc. The NFL was in its infancy, the Superbowl was not yet an "EVENT", only folks in the south cared about stock car racing, remeber that term. Casinos only existed in Las Vegas, and it was run by small group of individuals. The world is much different place today than it was when Ruffian ran. Post # 2 - Early breeding is to blame. Is that really true? Wasn't Secretariat retired at the end of his 3 year old campaign? I know one horse, but do you honestly think "The incomparable, invincible, unbeatable CIGAR" would have run as a four or five year old if he had his winning streak start during his two year old campaign instead of his four year old campaign. I known Allen Paulson was a sportsman, but even he might have thougt about selling out. Post # 8 - NTRA is Useless. I tend to agree with that comment. When it was founded my ex-brother in-law said that it was the greatest advertising coup ever created. A bunch of advertsiing execs. selling a struggling industry on the idea of spending million$ on an advertising campaign. I think the money could have been spent better going back into purses or research or creating a nationall orgainzation to standardize the rules nationwide, I know it will never happen but there has got to be a point when the tracks can say no mas to the NTRA. Hopefully before it is too late. Post # 11 - Take out driving bettors away Is the take out really that horrendous? The take out at the NYRA tracks is between 15% for straight bets and 25% for exotic bets. I don't think that is too bad given most state lotteries have a much higher takeout probably approaching 50% in most states. Post # 14 - There is nothing to do for a 4 year old at the track. Take your son to Saratoga he will love it, there is plenty of ice cream, candy soda etc. He can even try some Carolina BBQ. My son is 5 now and has been to Saratoga every year since he was 4 months old. Granted I have totally brainwashed him into loving horse racing (so much that he will not go to bed without watching some horse racing on the computer OK perhaps I went a little to far.) but there is plenty for children to do at Saratoga. The Breakfast and tram ride to the back side come to mind. Some of my own observations: Breeders Cup: Is it possible that the Breeders Cup is destroying racing to some degree. I know that at the end of the year there is one great day of racing, but what has been the cost of that one day? Now the entire Fall Championship meetings whether at Keeneland, Belmont or Santa Anita have become "prep" races for the Breeders Cup. Prior to the Breeders' Cup these races actually had full fields and were competetive. Do any of you remember when the Woodward or Jockey Club Gold Cup were races with full fields and the outcome had year end award implications? Shut down some tracks for a couple of months: Is winter Racing necessary? A also think the need to have a full year of racing across the country is hurting racing. Do we really need to be running at Aqueduct, Philly Park, Turfway in January and February. Give the horses a couple of months off and perhaps when the tracks do reopen we'll have some races with more than 6 horses per race. Hopefully this wasn't too long. 
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#2
06-13-2007, 12:27 PM
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I have another argument having to do with how having a BC Sprint is destroying the breed, but this forum probably isn't interested.
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#3
06-13-2007, 01:52 PM
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Racing has grappled with many of the same problems for decades.. upon decades...
Here's an eye-opening piece from the end of 2004 which demonstrates how long the industry has struggled with many of the issues we still confront today: http://www.equidaily.com/bestbet/guest/2004/41231.html Horse racing's year that was, always is... By Steve Byk The end of the calendar year is traditionally a good time for reflection. And when it comes to horse racing, a review of the past should ideally focus on the convivial revelry of thrilling afternoons with friends and cohorts at everyone's favorite venue. But as the collective equine community nears its simultaneous birthday on January 1, a glance at the headlines would lead racing fans to fear for the sports' ongoing viability: RIDERS ‘STRIKE’ AT NATION'S LEADING TRACK MARYLAND STRUGGLES WITH TRACK RENOVATION ISSUES INDUSTRY LEADER DEMANDS 'CODE OF ETHICS' PLAN RACING FRETS OVER 'ALTERNATE WAGERING' METHODS EXEC SAYS FUTURE OF NY TRACKS OF VITAL INTEREST You would think when recalling these stories and examining the root of the issues behind them, that the future of thoroughbred racing at this hour virtually hangs by a thread. Except that there’s just one thing... Those headlines are from 1947. That's right, 1947... Fifty seven years ago the racing industry was wrestling with five of the same problems that dominated the pages of racing's leading journals and web sites the past several months. In January of that year, grooms and exercise riders at Hialeah struck for three weeks complaining of working conditions and lack of benefits. This past September, a majority of the jockey colony at Churchill Downs "walked" in a dispute over added injury compensation beyond the limited $100,000 provided by the host track. In the Chesapeake State, 1947 found the Maryland Jockey Club embroiled in controversy over the relocation or renovation of Pimlico. As of mid-December, nearly six decades later, the storied MJC (Magna Jockey Club these days) was shielding itself from criticism of its torpid renovation of Laurel Park and the lack of a coherent plan for desperate Old Hilltop. February of 1947 saw Judge Dooley of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations announce a 16 point "Code of Standards" designed to guarantee the highest level of conduct possible in member association’s management of their respective racing operations. This fall, venerable Dogwood Stables pater familias Cot Campbell called on the thoroughbred breeding community to grow some ethics and live by them. On January 31, 1947, the New York state legislature debated a highly controversial bill designed to legalize bookmakers and "off track" wagering. At this month's comprehensive industry symposium at University of Arizona, the increased concern over off-shore wagering and specter of Euro-style betting exchanges were topics of anxious debate. Finally from 1947, Marshall Cassidy voiced the intention of the New York Associations, which he headed in the pre-NYRA era, to improve the state's management of its meets and racing facilities. Long a football and piggy bank for Empire State politicos, racing in New York obviously hasn't changed much in half a century. (After all, add a mustache to Eliot Spitzer and you've got yourself a new-fangled Tom Dewey.) The myriad challenges that dominate racings’ off track existence just don't seem to change much from year to year, or decade to decade. In 1947, attendance and handle were down on the major circuits, and the industry was concerned about the long term trends attached to those key elements of the game's success. Where have we heard that before? The fact is that the game promptly went on a three decade tear through the 50's, 60's and 70's that resulted in unprecedented success and popularity. Are we on the verge of a similar run of adulation for thoroughbred racing? Why shouldn't we be? Horse racing remains the most accessible major sport in America. With the three leading American team sports and NASCAR progressively pricing their products out of the reach of its core fans, a day at the track continues to be the greatest bargain for a family in sports entertainment. General admission to the Belmont Stakes is still just $2. When one of the biggest single events of the racing year can be attended by a family of five for $10, you're starting out on the right foot. Many of the 120,000 that thronged the grand palace on Hempstead Ave. in hopes of a Smarty Jones Triple Crown, had likely never visited a real racetrack before. Despite the outcome, it looked to me like everyone had a great time and that many would be happy to visit and spend an afternoon like that again. The Smarty Jones story demonstrates that all the headlines about racing aren’t negative, just as they weren't in 1947. This year featured the further triumphs of Azeri, whose career upon retirement recalls the exploits of Gallorette. The thrills provided by Ghostzapper in wins over Roses in May and St. Liam bring to mind Armed, the 1947 Horse of the Year whose season was highlighted by epic battles over With Pleasure and in a famed match race with Assault. The calendar year has come to a close with brilliant performances from undefeated juvenile colt Declan’s Moon and filly Sweet Catomine fresh in the minds of race fans. This pair conjures images from 57 years ago when Calumet’s Citation and Bewitch combined for 15 wins in 17 starts as two year olds before meeting in the Belmont Futurity where the soon to be Triple Crown winner bested his female stablemate. When it comes to recalling the past year, or any year for that matter, what’s remembered first and longest are the moments in racing which become indelible. The Chapman’s and the special feelings provided by Smarty Jones; Billy Koch’s Little Red Feather Stable crew as Singletary stole the Breeders Cup Mile; Bobby Frankel burying his BC Classic demons with Ghostzapper and Mary Lou Whitney drenched from the Travers downpour minutes after her Birdstone delivered victory. An examination of the last 12 months, or as we see perhaps any 12 months, demonstrates that thoroughbred racing seems likely to continue its off-track fighting forever. But when it comes to the equine competition that provides the greatest unscripted drama in sport, it never seems to lose its luster or appeal. And that is the game’s indefatigable formula for ongoing success.
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All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind. ~ Joseph Conrad A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right. ~ Thomas Paine Don't let anyone tell you that your dreams can't come true. They are only afraid that theirs won't and yours will. ~ Robert Evans The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command. ~ George Orwell, 1984.
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#4
06-13-2007, 06:13 PM
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Hybrid Mode
