Opportunity Lost

Well, the Memorial Day weekend is over. Yesterday at the Meadowlands there was the opening round of the NJSS for 3yo colt and filly trotters. While the glamour trotters of the 3yo division did not race this week, there were some interesting 3yo fillies who were impressive. Seaside and Maragarita Momma were impressives in their 3yo debuts as was Gabbys Dream who showed her win in a division of the Lady Suffolk was not a fluke. All three are eligible to the Hambletonian Oaks and merit watching.

With this holiday weekend, one has to wonder how much the racinos are trying to market harness racing to their slot players. For example, wouldn't it make sense for a track like Yonkers Raceway to card an afternoon racing program sometime over the weekend? By racing during the day, you would have the opportunity to expose slot players (many who probably never saw racing) to harness racing. Seems like an opportunity lost.

The Meadowlands announced they (and NJAW) will be accepting wagering on the final of the Elitlopp and a few other races but not the entire Elitlopp card from Solvalla. On Saturday, NJAW is covering Sweedish racing starting at 7:00AM, carrying the whole card yet on Sunday, the day of the Elitlopp they start at 10:00AM, skipping the first half of the card including the Elitlopp eliminations? It makes no sense; not only is it like simulcasting half of the Hambletonian day card, but with no other tracks racing that early in the morning, you are giving up a period of exclusitivity. If it is economically feasible to carry the card on Saturday, why not on Sunday?

Also, wouldn't if be something if TVG would one day cover the Elitlopp like they cover the big races in Japan instead of showing informercials? Who knows, with Betfair taking over TVG that may become a reality one day. It wouldn't hurt if we send an email to TVG. Email them here.