Tim Tetrick was recently interviewed at Harrah's Chester Downs regarding the state of harness racing. You may read the entire interview here.
With regards to the future of racing, Tim and I are in concurrence. It is up to those in racing to take some of the slot revenue and reinvest it in the sport. With the exception of a few race tracks, the tracks will not invest a dime in the sport. Tim also feels the slot revenue is fleeting; racing better take advantage of the windfall while it is around because sooner or later (sooner in Tim's view) the spigot will be shut off.
As to whether racing is a sport or gambling game, Tim falls into the sport faction. Again talking about promoting racing he cites Running Aces (a track with a card room, no slots). While the racing and purses are far from top notch, he mentions how fun it was to visit the track as the plant was packed with lines of people trying to wager. Goes to show you how if you market the product correctly, people will come regardless of the quality of the racing. Tim also credits Tioga Downs where racino management at least makes sure there are monitors showing racing on the casino floor to raise awareness of the racing product; the opposite of what happens at Chester. Tim's sentiment is if you build the fan base, the betting will come as a byproduct of introducing new fans.
What is interesting is while Tim clearly admits to profiting from racing at Chester, he acknowledges that Chester does everything possible to discourage slot players from playing the horses and how racing is being kept a secret in the area.
As to whether there is too much racing, Tim feels this is not a problem, something I would disagree with. Tim feels people want to gamble so we may as well provide them a product to gamble on. With simulcasting, I feel we can fill this need and provide quality racing in more locations.
There are many more interesting points in this interview regarding these and many more topics. This is perhaps the most important harness racing interview conducted in a long time. If you have not read this interview, you are encouraged to do so.
The most chilling part of this interview is Tim's opinion that racing has about ten years to fix racing's issues otherwise the industry will be lost. Is he being too pessimistic? Unfortunately not. Racing is at a crossroad. Will we take some of the slot revenue and invest it in our future or will racing just hoard the slot revenue like a squirrel gathers nuts in preparation for winter? Right now racing interests are not willing to spend any of their new found windfall on the business. I suggest anyone concerned with racing's future read Tim's comments and take them to heart. While you may not agree with every point, what he says is worth taking to heart.
Tim Tetrick sounds the alarm. Will anyone listen and act or will they continue to be in denial? That is the million dollar question.
For those interested in Super Sunday's card at Chester Downs, the program is now available through Trackmaster.
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