With the new state budget in New Hampshire taking effect on July 1, the two remaining greyhound tracks, Seabrook and Belmont, have been given permission to drop live racing while continuing to offer simulcast wagering and charity gambling. The two racetracks immediately dropped live racing.
Why should harness racing care? Under the state budget, Rockingham Park has the same right to stop live racing and become a simulcast only venue. Unlike the greyhound interests, Rockingham Park has decided to complete the current meet which ends on August 30th at which time the track will make the determination if live racing will return next year. The guess here is there will be no meet next year.
How did we get to this point? It is because the State of New Hampshire has decided gambling is a sin and that they don't want to encourage it and in fact, punish those that participate. While considering how to to solve funding issues, not only did the state refuse to consider VLTs at the tracks but they decided to tax gamblers more. As of July 1st, the state of New Hampshire is assessing a 10% tax ib any gambling winnings over $600. As a result, any serious gambler that is still wagering in New Hampshire will be forced out of state.
Now we can pretend New Hampshire is an isolated case; a lot of the anti-gambling sentiment is due to the fact there was live greyhound racing in the state and many people were looking to run the greyhounds out of the state. However, seeing anti-VLT sentiment in Ohio and Kentucky where greyhounds are not part of the equation, there is more to it. We need to face the fact that some people look at racing as a sin and this is why they oppose expanded gambling.
Fortunately, those opposed to VLTs tend to be the vocal minority so successful marketing can improve the image of harness racing in these states to counter this segment of voters. How does this happen? Racetracks and horsemen need to invest in their communities to show the industry is a valuable partner. Have benefit nights for local charities; raise funds for local high school scholarships (see what the horsemen in Goshen did for nine schools); visit hospitals; make donations to food banks; help out at local animal shelters. Make sure efforts are publicized in the community. Racing can't afford to be islands in their communities. Fortune 500 companies realize you need to be active in the communities you do business in to build good will. What is good for the community is good for the company. The same applies to racing.
Become active in the communities you race in or in the long run you will not be racing there.
On Tuesday we discussed the passing of Daylon Trooper. Word has it that some horses including Daylon got out of their stalls and they turned on Daylon. As a tribute to Daylon, here is the video of his last start (victory). RIP big guy.
West Coast Update - With zoning approval received, it is apparent that Hollywood Park is in the middle of their last meet as Hollywood Park will be razed for redevelopment. With the runners looking for a new home and the possibility of a new NBA arena being build at the Cal Expo fairgrounds, the possibility that harness racing will be looking for a new home out west is great.
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