The Hills and Historic Week

At Yonkers last night, Russell Hill (a horse we previously discussed) won his division of the NYSS for 3yo trotting colts in 1:59.4 on an off track in a wire-to-wire effort. While I thought Russell Hill and Donttellmywife might be dueling each other in the NYSS this year, it has become apparent that Russell Hill has become the dominant 3yo trotting colt in NY and one has to wonder when he will step out of the comfort of the sire stakes program to take on open company. I know Russell Hill is eligible for the Hambo, but even though he has previously won over the Meadowlands oval, he has to step up to show he is the caliber of a Hambo winner.

Muscle Hill qualified on Thursday in 1:55.1 to win by over eighteen lengths. His next pari-mutuel start is on July 17 in the Stanley Dancer Trot. Muscle Hill is certainly a talented horse but qualifiers are not the same as a regular race (see what happened to Buck I St Pat last week at the Meadowlands). While trainer Greg Peck is doing all he can to have Muscle Hill ready, you have to wonder with only one more purse start on the schedule before the Hambletonian eliminations, if this is the year where the Donato Hanover-Deweycheatemnhowe road to the Hambo will be derailed.

Next week the Grand Circuit is making two stops. First, Grand Circuit racing at the Meadowlands will consist of the Historic Series, races which used to be held at Historic Track in Goshen when there used to be a short pari-mutuel meet. While there will be a lot of two year old races during Historic week, it is always an enjoyable week of top flight racing.

The Grand Circuit is also stopping at Historic Track. If you happen to be in town for Historic Week at the Meadowlands, take a short trip (just over an hour) up to Historic Track for some competetive racing, albeit it non wagering. There will be more than enough time to get back to the Meadowlands for the evening card.

Just checked the schedule of TVG for tonight. While the entire Mohawk card is not being broadcast the stakes events are well represented on their TV schedule. Check the races out if you can, our year end champions may be racing tonight.

Other Stakes Action, Promoting in New Jersey (Lack Of)

While the attention of North American harness racing fans is drawn to Mohwak Raceway this Saturday night, there is still some other races of note going on elsewhere.

Tonight at the Meadowlands, is the $246,000 Lady Liberty Final for FFA Pacing Mares. Southwind Tempo, Darlins Delight and Tug River Princess will be competing for the winner's share of the purse. Being Southwind Tempo and Tug River Princess are coupled, don't expect a big mutuel payoff. In the Invitational Trot is Lucky Jim, now going for his 13th straight win. What adds a little intrigue to this race is that Lucky Jim broke in his qualifier, finishing 3rd, 33 lengths behind. Likeabatoutofhell may be the one to snap the streak.

Saturday night at Northfield Park is the $100,000 Battle of Lake Erie. While no marquee horse is in the race, for those in Ohio, it is an opportunity to see a quality race. I will look at Blueridge Western to post a minor upset.

As for promoting the sport locally, on the Delmarva circuit, you have the show Post Time with host Heather Vitale-Moffett This weekly show highlights racing at Dover, Harrington and Ocean Downs and has been running consecutively since July of 1998. The show is both entertaining and informative and spreads interest in the sport. If you have not seen the show, take a look. In Pennsylvania, there is PA Harness Week which features racing from Pocono Downs and Chester Downs. What show covers racing in New Jersey? None. I understand that things are not going well in New Jersey for harness racing and when things get tough, the tendency is to cut spending. However, how is the industry putting their best foot forward to the New Jersey public? They aren't.

Let's call this fictional show New Jersey in Harness. As part of this show, not only do we show racing from the Meadowlands and Freehold, but we will also highligh our training and breeding farms as well as the human interest stories which will show how racing is important to the state. In other words, the people of New Jersey gets exposed to the benefits of racing while being shown it is not a sport just for degenerate gamblers. Not only will this help in the campaign to get VLTs at the tracks but it may help develop new fans. Does producing a weekly show cost money? Sure. But what is the cost of not doing it?

Rosecroft Rises?

In an article in the Baltimore Sun, there apparently is a tentative agreement for the former owner of Rosecroft Raceway to repurchase the track out of bankruptcy. It is noted that the former owner had filed bankruptcy for Rosecroft when he owned it but it is pointed out that Rosecroft was successful, it was other real estate deals that forced the bankruptcy. Mark Vogel, the prospective purchaser has indicated he intends to resume racing as soon as possible.

Before the deal can close, there needs to be a resolution with the Maryland t-bred interests regarding money owed them for allowing Rosecroft to simulcast the runners. It is also noted that Vogel is hoping to bring slots to Rosecroft eventually, something not allowed under current Maryland law.

With other horse tracks closing, Hollywood Park is likely racing its last meet and Ellis Park has announced they are closing after this year after the KY slot bill failed, it is nice to see Rosecroft may be coming back to life as an active racing facility.

Get your Programs, Hambletonian Poll, Year End Awards Criteria

Get Your Programs

Some of the smaller tracks in Canada offer nightly free programs on the Internet for their races in order to get online gamblers to wager on their product. Some of the tracks that offer this free service are Fraser Downs, Windsor Raceway, and Flamboro Downs. Kudos to them and shame on the larger tracks for not offering free programs.

Why are we not offering free programs in the United States online? I understand Equibase, under their Trackmaster banner and the racetracks which sell the programs have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo but perhaps there is a win-win situation available. First of all, I am not suggesting a full feature program that Trackmaster sells with each horse's individual race times, speed and class ratings, highlighting horses in the summary that are in today's races, etc., but the 'traditional' program that the track sells. If a gambler wishes to have the additional information, they will still need to purchase a program either online or at the track.

From what I see, there are two scenarios. First of all, the web public has accepted advertisements for free content on the Internet. Either Trackmaster can offer through racetrack websites free programs (only for the host track) and to make up for the revenue loss, they can add advertisements to the programs (perhaps on the top of each race or on pages between the races). The other option is have the tracks purchase the rights to the program pages and they can add the advertisements to the programs themselves.

The bottom line is racetracks should gain increased gambling dollars by making this move. Some online gamblers play certain tracks but there may a race elsewhere which will intrigue them. Without a program with at least the basic information, they will not wager on it. It is about time the gamblers are thrown a bone. Racetracks will benefit from it.

Hambletonian Poll Question

Muscle Hill is ranked number four in the latest Hambletonian Poll. While I expect Muscle Hill to be in the top three by the end of the year, at this point it is premature to rank him that high. For example, Yellow Diamond has five wins in seven starts this year. Why are we ranking horses on anticipation of what they will do rather than what they have done this year? Let's look at their records this year thus far:

Muscle Hill - 2 for 2; winning an elimination of the NJSS and the NJSS final. Yes, two wins in sire stakes competition in a state where the breeding industry is on the decline. His fastest win time this year is 1:53.1 and he has seasonal earnings of $127,400.

Yellow Diamond - 5 for 7; she won the James M. Lynch Memorial at Pocono Downs (open company) in 1:49.4, won her elimination of the Lynch Memorial and in her last start won an elimination of the Fan Hanover stakes at Mohwak; winner of $199,801 thus far this year.

Can someone tell me how a horse that won two races this year in state bred races is ranked higher than a horse that won five races this year setting a track record in an open company stakes race? I don't argue that Muscle Hill may finish ahead of Yellow Diamond when the year is over, but lets rank them based on their accomplishments thus far.


Year End Awards Criteria

Is it too much to ask our stars to race rather than being overly managed? For the last two years, especially on the trotting side, we have had many of our 3yo stars avoiding anything other than the mile (or 7/8th mile) tracks. In one case last year, Deweycheatemnhowe skipped the Yonkers Trot to race in a minor stakes race at the Meadowlands. Last I saw, harness racing is conducted on 1/2, 5/8th and mile (7/8th) tracks and a lot of these tracks offer great purses for stake races. Is it to much to ask for our stars to race more often on different size tracks?

We can't force owners to race their horses, but we can insist if they want to be able to say they won a year end award they need to meet certain criteria. We already do it by requiring a horse to have no drug positives during their campaign. In order for a horse to win a year end honor they should be required to have a minimum of 15 starts (8 starts for 2yos) during the campaign year and at a minimum, during their campaign they need to start at least once on a 1/2 mile, 5/8th mile and mile (or 7/8th) track either in a stakes race not limited to state breds, or an age appropriate open race not restricted to non-winners or earning limits. For 3yos, they should be required to race in at least two triple crown legs.

After all, shouldn't a champion be able to take on all comers on different size tracks? Let's reward those that can.

Kudos to the PA Horsemen: In an article from Harness Link the PHHA and MSOA have contributed money to establish a Pennyslvania Sires Stake Stallion Series for 2yos that are not quite ready for prime time. This is being done by donating a portion of their slot revenue. Through their generosity, owners will be more inclined to buy PA-sired horses knowing there is another path to try to recoup their investment. This may help alleviate the problem at Pocono Downs where they tend to make the two year olds race against older horses in overnight races which has been discussed before in this blog.

Handicapping Review; Fan Hanover, NA Cup, Goodtimes

Let's me pose the following scenario:

Horse A - Won three races in a row including a stakes race in their last start. Clearly the horse is arguably at her career best. Odds are 11-1

Horse B - Has been very impressive this year but finished off the board in their last start a month ago. Before that, the horse had been virtually flawless racing in the same class as horse A. Five days before today's race the horse qualified impressively winning by 10 lengths (being parked a half mile). Odds are 1-5.

Who do you bet?

Well that scenario played out yesterday at the Meadowlands for the $100,000 Matchmaker Stakes for FFA Trotting Mares. Horse A was Classic Lane and Horse B was Buck I St Pat. We all know the racing press has been understandably gushing over Buck I St Pat and she deserved it. As a result, the wagering public listened to the press too much that they ignored basic handicapping principles and made Buck I St Pat so much of an overlay that you were given a massive overlay on the eventual winner Classic Lane.

Remember Buck I St Pat was virtually unbeatable prior to her trip to Sweden for the Elitlopp. In the Elitlopp, Buck I St Pat went off stride before the race and actually was impressive in that she caught the field and at one point was threatening in fourth position before the break caught up to her and she tired to finished seventh. That was May 23. This past week on June 16, Buck I St Pat goes the Chester Downs and raced an impressive qualifier winning by 10 lengths.

Classic Lane had obviously been racing her career best of late. She won an Open at the Meadowlands and then went on to win a preliminary leg of the Classic Series and then the final at Mohawk Raceway. The Classic Series is probably as tough as it goes now class-wise for older trotters.

The Matchmaker being a $100,000 race is one of the few big money races out there for older trotting mares so you know the competition is going to be fierce. While Buck I St Pat was impressive in a qualifier, qualifiers never are as competitive as a race mile so while Buck I St Pat was parked a half mile, most likely she just raced on the outside because they wanted to give her an easy warm up; just go easily until the time was right to win. So for all practical purposes, Buck I St Pat hadn't raced competitively for a month; the possibility of her being short was real.

So take all the facts and then ask yourself, are you going to bet a champion that has been off a month at 1-5 or are you going to take a horse that has been racing during this month and has been sharp winning a $200,000+ stake race in her last start at 11-1?

Those that remember the basic rule that qualifiers are not competitive races but merely are to show a horse can meet the time standard for the meet wagered on the eventual winner and collected handsomely. If there was a mismatch on talent, then maybe you could see wagering on the 1-5 shot but when there was a horse in the same level at her career best, it was time to take a shot. Could Buck I St Pat won the race? Sure she could have but when you consider the situation the odds clearly were skewed incorrectly; if the champion was ever going to be beat, yesterday was the day. The smart handicappers went with the eventual winner and were proven right as Buck I St Pat tired and beat only one horse.

There are definitely times when a horse can win of a qualifier, especially when they raced two qualifiers in a row to get up to form. But the fact remains in these situations when a horse may be vulnerable, you just have to take a chance; especially when the odds are so skewed.

Three Year Olds at Mohawk

The three year old trotting division may becoming a little more exciting. Obviously Muscle Hill is the one to beat but Federal Flex went wire to wire in his elimination of the Goodtimes Trot at Mohawk on Saturday for his first start of the year. Southern Rocketop, in his division, followed up a track record at Balmoral in hist last start with a win in the third elimination. Being he has been racing in state bred races prior to Saturday night, he has more to prove but he has taken the first step in beating a field of open trotters.

As for three year old pacing fillies, Yellow Diamond continues on the march with her win in the first elimination of the Fan Hanover. Not Enough won her elimination but will be hard pressed to knock off Yellow Diamond. Clearly Yellow Diamond appears to be the star of her division.

As for the marquee division, the 3yo pacing colts, Dial Or Nodial was very impressive winning in 1:50.2 in his elimination of the NA Cup after being parked the whole way. If I Can Dream won his elimination while Barber Pole and Passmaster Hanover finished 4th and 7th respectively. While not winning, I am not ready to write off Barber Pole yet and as for Passmaster Hanover, his race can be excused. Mr Wiggles shocked in his elimination. Over all, I think Dial or NoDial is starting to emerge as the best in this muddled division.

As a side note, based on the finish of eliminations Saturday night, we are seeing Yonkers Raceway is beginning to attract the big horses in the their stakes with an elimination winner in the Lismore (Not Enough) and Art Rooney (If I Can Dream) winning their eliminations at Mohawk. Don't expect to see Muscle Hill going to the Yonkers Trot as these days, the 3yo trotting colts seem to be racing 'managed' campaigns to maximize their breeding value. It is a shame they don't try the half miler.

Requesting a Fair Start

Racing fans, your help is needed.

How many times have you seen a horse that goes off stride or refuse the gate just as the starting gate begins moving or more than an eighth of a mile before the race starts? You may have wagered on the horse or others may have. In Ontario and other provinces in Canada the bettor is protected by the 'fair start' rule. In the United States? You become a victim of a money grab; your wagers goes south long before the race begins.

While I understand the need to eliminate recalls in these types of situations, when the old recall rules were in effect, recalls were held because a horse was considered non-competitive and the bettor was protected by having a recall. Well, if the horse was uncompetitive in the past, what now make that horse competitive? Nothing. In effect, the racing commissions have not adequately protected the gambler's interest to the benefit of the tracks. The result? The few newbies who attend the races and have their wagers go up in smoke as a result of the lack of a fair start rule head for the gates and never return. Those fans/gamblers who continue to play the game may wager less because they are not assured of a fair start or they finally get burnt by an offending horse and they decide that was the last straw; they deal with the high takeouts but enough is enough and they head to the gates and never return and turn their attention to the thoroughbreds or poker.

What can you do? Write a letter/email your racing commission and ask them to adopt a fair start rule like they have in Ontario (refer them to rule 22.03 (k) and (l)). In some states, sending them a request like this will result in it being put on the racing commission's public agenda and will be published for public comment. Such a request has already been sent to the NJRC. It may not result in a change, but at least there is a chance. If it gets published for public comment in your state, it is important to get support for the proposed rule change so when it gets to that point, ask your fellow horse players in your state to send in their comments in support of the change.

While a request may have been sent to New Jersey, we need to get this brought to the attention of all commissions which handle harness racing; if it is a national movement there is a better chance of getting a change than if it remains an isolated local request.

Not a good letter writer? I have provided a sample letter below, all you need to do is copy and modify it for your use. Then just mail or email it in.


Dear Racing Commission Chairperson,


I would like to petition for a change to the recall rule to adopt language similar to the Ontario Racing Commission’s rule regarding a ‘fair start’. The following is an excerpt from the Ontario recall rule (22.03) concerning fair starts:


(k) The Fair Start Pole is a pole erected at the point approximately 200 feet before the
start. The Fair Start Pole shall be yellow in colour and shall protrude at least two feet
above the inner rail.
(l) If a horse has not reached the Fair Start Pole when the horses are released at the
starting point by the starter, the Judges shall cause the inquiry sign to be displayed
immediately and shall request the horse be scratched from the mutuels.


It is my belief that the public’s interest was not adequately protected when the current recall rule was modified to no longer have recalls when a horse was deemed non-competitive for refusing the gate or going off-stride before the recall pole. I understand and accept the logic that having recalls for these situations can result in a disadvantage to those well mannered horses by requiring multiple start attempts. I agree with the concept of eliminating recalls but object to the fact that monies bet on such horses that refuse to come to the gate or go off-stride before the former recall pole are not refunded as it neglects the public’s (horse player) interest.

Under the old rule such horses were considered non-competitive and recalls were ordered. All of a sudden such horses are now considered competitive? No one can tell you that a horse that is hopelessly outdistanced before the race even begins is competitive. On numerous occasions I have seen horses refuse the gate or be off-stride well before the 1/8th pole and those that wagered on those horses can throw their tickets away well before the race begins.

I do recognize the tracks’ interest in not refunding the wagers; it results in lost handle. However, how many times will a horse player/gambler accept this ‘money grab’ before they decide to find alternative gambling options instead of wagering on harness racing, especially newcomers to the sport? If the argument is that the race has already ‘begun’, then why are we allowing wagering to continue after the race begun? Using this logic the pools should already be closed once the starting gate begins to move.

This current rule is ‘detrimental’ to the interest of harness racing in that it is counterproductive to the development of new racing fans and increased handle. In effect, the track wins in the short run, but they, as well as the sport, lose out in the long run. For these reasons, I urge that the recall rule be modified as requested to include a provision for a fair start.

Thank you for considering this request,

Your Name
Your Address


You can make a difference and protect your interests. All it takes is finding the person to mail/email the request to. We are not asking for much, just a fair shake.

UPDATE: The Fair Start proposal has now been placed on the agenda for the August meeting of the NJRC scheduled for August 19th at Monmouth Park. More details will be forthcoming.

Women Drivers

No, we are talking about female auto drivers on the highway, we are lamenting the lack of women drivers in harness racing. Sure there are some women drivers, but they are far and few between and when they race, they race sporadically; often with horses they train or own.

Yes, harness racing has some female drivers that have made their mark. Jacqueline Ingrassia used to race with some frequency at Freehold and won the Yonkers Trot with Goalfish but these days here appearances are limited. There was Bea Farber years ago. I am sure there are some female drivers that drive with some regularity but how many of them racing on a daily basis at any one track?

At most racetracks you will see a number of women trainers. How come there are so few women driving on a nightly basis with any frequency?

We are missing a marketing opportunity. Look at the Indy Racing League (IRL). Before Danica Patrick, the IRL was loosing fans. With Danica's ascension to being a regular on the circuit, IRL has gained more attention. However, Danica is not the only female driver on the circuit. Driving in virtually every race is Danica, Sandy Fisher and Milka Duno.

Look at the runners. Chantal Sutherland is now racing at Woodbine but has ridden in the states and was in the Animal Planet show Jockeys. Is it just Chantal is an attractive woman that gets her the attention? No, she knows how to ride (she's second in the jockey standings at Woodbine; Emma-Jayne Wilson is 6th). Of course, there was Julie Krone. Inez Karlsson won last year the jockey's title at Hawthorne and there are a slew of others out there racing several times a day.

Why are there no women racing five or six times a night at our raceways? It certainly is not that they lack the ability; women are able to drive horses just as good as a man given the opportunity to drive as often and with live stock. We are not giving them the opportunity.

We need to do something to encourage women to drive with more frequency; allowing them to become regulars at our racetracks. I am not suggesting we automatically add women to our rosters to drive every night at our major tracks; but the industry should create a program to encourage women to become drivers and when the time is right, the drivers can move on to the bigger venues. Of course, we will need to educate and encourage trainers and owners to give female drivers a chance when they need a driver.

There is no reason a woman can't drive a horse in a race. Let's get them driving every night and not only will we be doing the right thing; it will help our marketing efforts and allow us to encourage more women to follow the sport.

Wrong Way Bullwinkle: A moose was discovered yesterday at Saratoga Racecourse. I am certain he meant to go to Saratoga Harness.

Rediscover Why You Love Harness Racing

Remember the first day you went to the racetrack? The sights, sounds, smells (when the wind blew the right or wrong way depending on your perspective) and even the colorful characters which attracted you to racing? The times you spent with your father or parents at the track? How long ago was it?

For a lot of us, it has probably been too long.

Whether due to changes in financial situations, personal or work obligations, or just convenience, many of us have gotten to the point of watching the races either from a television monitor or computer screen. Does racing have the same thrill for you as it did back then? Probably not.

Let's head back to the track and experience racing in person and regain our personal connection to racing; all the things which attracted us to racing in the first place. Bring someone along and share the joys you experienced when you started going to the races.

In a similar vein, Churchill Downs has begun an effort to get their online gamblers back to the track. While their goal is to get money bet on track as they earn more on a dollar wagered at the track than over the internet, it also helps get people rediscover the joy of racing. Let's face it, racing becomes impersonal, almost mechanical when you are constantly watching the races on a computer screen; after awhile it becomes just another device to gamble. Hopefully some of our harness tracks that have their own account wagering will try a similar effort.

This is one of the reasons I enjoy the 4th of July weekend of racing in Goshen, NY. The sounds of people cheering in the grandstand; the smell of horses; hearing the wheels swishing over the ground; the sound of hoof beats hitting the racetrack; the whinny of horses in the stalls; the smell of the food. All this helps reconnect me to joys of racing as well as part of my youth.

At Yonkers, I find the same seats I used to occupy with my late father and close my eyes; I feel the spirit of my father's presence; his explaining the difference between a trotter and pacer; the time he told me you can't bet the 8-8 daily double on a half mile track because it never comes only to have it come in that night. The time I told a bunch of people in the clubhouse that Le Baron Rouge from the 8 hole was going to beat Big Towner and they were looking at me like I was nuts (they finished in a dead heat; and as a result Le Baron Rouge at 45-1 paid only $2.40). Heading to Yonkers anytime Fly Fly Solly dropped into A-3 company.

Other memories go through my head. Though long gone, remembering the time I went 9 for 9 at Roosevelt which included Lynn Forbes (the pacer) paying $32.00 to win (the last time I ever won at Roosevelt); the pageantry of The Roosevelt International. The time at Freehold I told my father not to play Saratoga Ideal because he had a long layoff and he won (at a price I can't remember other than it was huge). The time I made a big killing playing Ronstadt at Monticello the week after she finished 2nd to Seven O'Clock at Liberty Bell Park in the PASS screaming my lungs out. Following the trials and tribulations of Corky Collins. Taking my then three year old niece to Garden State Park hearing her call out the saddle cloth numbers during the NJ State Fair races and having her screaming and crying when I told her it was time to go to some of the rides. Celebrating my birthday with Fourth of July doubleheaders at Brandywine Raceway. Driving across Kentucky after seeing the last race at The Red Mile to catch the early daily double at Louisville Downs (no small feat).

You don't get these memories betting on horses over the Internet or watching a race on a television.

Yes, your local track may not be as nice as you remember it but let's head back to the track. For one day let's forget the problems racing may have and close your eyes and remember the good times. Bring your children or grandchildren along and share your memories and make some new memories with them.

Come home to the track and fall in love all over again.

It Ain't Over Even When the Supreme Court Rules

Let's call this entry an Editorial. Tomorrow, we will talk about the results of this weekend's racing action.

You would have thought the U.S. Supreme Court decision to let the Illinois Supreme Court decision regarding the riverboats casino tax supplementing racing purses would have been the end of it.

Well it is not.

The Associated Press reports that the riverboats are now launching suit against former governor Rod Blagojevich and several racetrack operators. Basically they are claiming the racetracks made campaign donations to the ex-governor's campaign in order to get this bill passed. As a result, the casinos are once again asking the courts to return the money to them.

Are we to believe that the riverboat casinos did not make campaign contributions during their campaign to get riverboat gambling approved? Here is an article which shows both the casino industry and racetracks made donations to political campaigns.

I guess campaign donations are OK as long as you make them.

Look, I am not naive. Campaign donations and PACS are what get you access to legislators and helps get your agenda passed. They casino industry is annoyed that for once, someone played the game better than them and they don't like it.

The casino industry has deep pockets. It is time the racing industry joins forces so we can compete on even terms. The only way racing can fight for their rights is for the all the factions to unite rather than fight each other. Are we up to the task?

Great Story - Kosher King - You Have to See It

Thanks to Harnesssphere, I came accross the following video. Please take a look at this.



We need more stories like this getting out to the public. Hopefully we can get more publicity for Koshy Kids once they get their 501(c)3 status as well as for other people/horses doing things for others.

Kosher King races next at Ocean Downs on Saturday, June 13th in the 8th race. Best of luck Koshy!

Start Times, Speed Racing

Hoosier Park is experimenting this year with post times in an effort to develop a greater live audeince and maximize handle. So far it has been 'challenging'. With post times being moved from 6:45pm to 4:45pm (12:45 on Saturdys), over all handle is down roughly 25% (13% on-track). Management at Hoosier noted the vast majority of their handle came from the 7 to 9m window with wagering decreasing afterwards. The thought was to get the later races earlier to increase the handle but this has not occured. No doubt some of the drop off is due to the economy.

Kudos to Hoosier for attempting to grow their live audience. Not only does a track get to keep a greater share of the amount wagered on track, it is important to build fans that will fill the grandstand and keep interest in the sport. Other tracks have already given up on attracting a live audience and schedule their races merely where they can maximize their signal concentration; those tracks have given up on the future for their immediate goals.

That being said, a different approach may make more sense. By all means, race Saturday afternoon. Here is a chance to bring the casual fans (and families) to the track and build their interest in racing. It may mean sacrificing handle, but it is a price to pay to get people interested in the sport.

As for during the week, starting at 4:45pm doesn't make sense; their original start time works best. The local heavy hitters who play Hoosier will continue to come to the track at the 6:45PM start time; the issue is how accessible are you making the races for everyone else? Many people who gamble on horses still have regular jobs. How many people get out of work in time to make the track at 4:45? Not as many as management would like to think. By starting at 6:45, people have the time to either go home after work and come to the track or to head to the track directly from work.

Yes, the wagering drops off after 9:00PM; that is probably because some of the people have to get home and go to work the following day. Rather than shifting the races so you start earlier, the answer is to compress the time it takes to complete the card so more races are run during the period you have your greatest attendance. Last Thursday, it took almost four hours to complete the 13 race card. Why not complete the card in 2 or 2.5 hours instead? People want action, they don't want things to drag out. Look at Baseball, they have made rule changes to get the games to go quicker. Shouldn't we?

I hear the arguements now:

• People need time to handicap and place their bets. Give people 20 minutes, give them 30 minutes some will wait to the last minute to wager. If you give them 12 to 15 minutes between races it will be enough time.
• People wager more than one track and we have to give them time to do so - Any smart gambler knows you can't bet more than one or two tracks successfuly at a time. You can offer them twenty tracks, but they will stick with the same ones most of the time. They will be able to continue to wager on those tracks.
• Those that play more than two tracks? They are not playing every races; they are picking their spots so a short time between races should not impact them.

People crave action. Running an accelerated card will give people their action (and who knows, some of those simulcast dollars may actually stay at your local track as thye may be wagering on the simulcast signal to kill the time. Many people don't bother coming to the track because it is a long night. Tell people that the races start at 6:45 and will be over by 9:00? More people will be coming because it is not a long night.

Please take a look at the poll questions on the right side of this blog and respond. They relate to this topic and it would be interesting to see what you think. Of course, feel free to comment as well.

Sports Betting - Hypocrisy and Parochialism

The Record of New Jersey reports that Governor Corzine backs a lawsuit against a federal ban on sports betting which a state senator has brought against the federal government at the behest of NJ horsemen from both breeds. The current federal ban allows sports betting only in Delaware, Montana, Nevada and Oregon. The lawsuit claims that by denying New Jersey the opportunity to offer sports betting it discriminates against New Jersey and the 44 other states who are not allowed to offer it. Understandably, the NJ horsemen from both breeds want the ban overturned so additional revenue will be brought in for purses.

The statement that Governor Corzine made in wanting to join this suit is hypocritical. The Governor claims that Delaware's entry into sports betting and table games are a severe threat to New Jersey casinos and racetracks.

Really Governor? If you are so concerned about the long term viability of racing in the State of New Jersey, how come you have never attempted to bring VLTs to any racetrack in New Jersey despite the studies that show it would benefit racing and the state? Aren't slot machines in NY, PA, and DE a threat to the long term viability of racing in NJ? Wouldn't it be better to allow VLTs in the NJ racetracks rather than allow the money to flow out of state? Not once did you even attempt to expend political capital and introduce legislation to allow VLTs. Surely you would have had to fight the casino lobby but you didn't even try. By freezing the operators of Freehold out of the negotiations for the most recent casino supplement bill and have not invited them to be represented on your blue ribbon committee on the future of racing you have clearly indicated that you don't consider Freehold Raceway important enough to save; especially as long as they are owned partially by Penn National Gaming.

Whether this suit is successful remains to be seen. First of all, being the legislation that eventually banned sports betting in NJ gave the state a one year window to approve sports betting so the state had the opportunity to legalize it. I am no legal scholar but that may mean unless another state gets involved, the court may find that NJ has no legal standing to bring the suit as they did have a chance to get sports betting in the past and decided not to; the state in fact brought the harm upon itself.

Let's assume the suit is successful. What happens one the genie is out of the bottle?

According to earlier reports, it will require a constitutional amendment to permit sports wagering in NJ. The first time NJ tried for a casino gambling amendment it failed; it only passed the second time when casino gambling was limited to Atlantic City. While I assume it would not be a problem, who can say for sure sports gambling doesn't follow the same route?

Hypocrisy aside, this parochial approach by NJ horsemen from both breeds concerns me. There should have been a decision made at a national level by the USTA, AQHA and The Jockey Club whether or not to attempt to support a fight against the federal ban on sports wagering. While this attempt may be beneficial to the NJ horsemen in the short term, in the long run it may hurt racing.

Assuming NJ's efforts are successful, consider this:

1. Once again we are introducing another form of gambling to our fans in an effort to increase revenue without attempting to improve the racing product. As a result, we may be diverting money from our handles to sports betting.
2. If handles decreases because less interest in racing, will we be giving opponents of racing another excuse to convert racinos to casinos?
3. Any state with a casino will attempt to get sports wagering. Will they allow sports wagering their racetracks or only their casinos? This may be the final nail to harness racing in those states without racinos.
4. Harness racing is regional enough as is. If racing becomes more regional, can it survive?

I am not saying racing should or should not support these efforts. What I am saying is we can't keep making major policy decisions on a local level. Each state is not an island; what happens in New Jersey will impact racing throughout the country. In the long run, those in the sport will prosper or wither on the vine together.

When will we wake up and realize this? Hopefully before it is too late.

FREEHOLD UPDATE: Here is a press release from the SBOANJ regarding a horsemen's meeting on the last day of the spring meet.

Arguement Against Slots at New Jersey Tracks: I disagree with this article but thought I'd share it with you. Please remember this article was printed in an Atlantic City newspaper so realize the article is biased towards the casino industry.

What are Racetracks Doing About Unwanted Horses?

An article in the NY Times today describes what is being done at Suffolk Downs with regards to horses no longer able to race. Finger Lakes has the Purple Haze Center for unwanted horses. Can anyone name a harness track with a policy like Suffolk Downs or a program like Finger Lakes?

Yes, I know we have standardbred rescue groups (there is a list of some of the standardbred rescue groups on this blog) but so do the runners. What are we doing to make sure the horses no longer able to compete are being directed to these rescue groups? I know it costs money to run these programs but certainly a small percentage of the handle can help finance these types of programs. If we are talking about smaller racetracks, they can partner with each other. Not only would it generate good publicity, it would be the right thing to do.

Am I wrong thinking tracks should be having this type of rescue programs? If you are aware of a harness track having a program similar to Suffolk Downs or Finger Lakes, let me know. They deserve to be recognized.

Goodbye Grand Circuit, Hello HRL

Earlier this week there was an excellent article regarding forming a league for the runners in the Thoroughbred Times. While some of the ideas could apply to harness racing, there is a need to modify the proposal to meet our needs. This proposal takes advantage of the best of the ideas proposed in the article but has been modified to account for harness racing's uniqueness.

Here is a proposal for consideration. When reviewing, look at the overall concept and don't get mired in the minutia.

Ideally, as discussed in an earlier post racetracks will be controlled by regional racing authorities. Thanks to these authorities, regional circuits will already be established, with each track racing no more than three months a year. Tracks which wish to be part of the league will have to format their race meets like The Red Mile; a traditional overnight meet followed by a two week 'Grand Circuit' type meet. Nothing in the proposal keeps a track from offering stake races during the overnight meet.

The Grand Circuit will be replaced by the Harness Racing League (HRL). Any driver or trainer who wishes to be certified to race in the HRL must agree to abide to the rules of the HRL and while they may appeal a decision within the HRL (in an expedited fashion), they may not appeal a decision to a racing commission or the courts. This will be legal as a decision to suspend or ban someone from the HRL will not automatically impact their ability to participate in the overnight race meets; it only restricts their ability to participate in HRL sanctioned meets.

Tracks who decide to become members of the HRL will be assigned to the 'Premier' or 'Major' Circuit depending on the quality of the proposed two week meet. One condition of becoming a member of the HRL is you must offer stake races for aged horses. Quality will be determined by the strength of the early/late closers, stakes and FFA/Invitational races being offered during the HRL sanctioned meets (sire stakes and other state bred races can not be part of the HRL meet). Yes, the amount of the purses will be a huge factor in being assigned to whichever circuit but it will not be the only factor. Tracks that don't wish to belong to either circuit will be considered independent meets and can do business as they currently do. At designated times, the member tracks stakes program will be reviewed and depending on changes in a racing program, a track may be promoted or demoted to the other circuit.

Participating tracks will have their own qualifying standards and racing officials during their overnight meet. For the two week HRL meet, the HRL will have their own qualifying standards and racing officials. Assuming there is not a set of national racing rules, the HRL will be responsible to enforce each racing authorities rules of racing.

A schedule will be set up where there will be one Premier and Major circuit race meet occurring in the same two week period. This will allow the first tier horses to compete in the Premier Races and allow the second tier horses to race in the Major Races. The Premier Circuit will have national V75/V64 wagering. The rules of the HRL will mandate that a horse may race only on one circuit during a two week period so a top tier horse starting in a Premier event will not be able to race in a Major event the following week; thus allowing second tier horses a chance to race for good purse money each week.

There will be no elimination races for events being held during the HRL meet regardless of which circuit. Any two year old event during the period of June through August must be raced in divisions with no regards to earnings with each division racing for the same purse if there are excessive entries. For the rest of the 2yo year, tracks will have the option to race in divisions or seed horses like they are for the Battle of Brandywine (based on earnings). Assuming a race was on a half mile track, the first eight horses with the highest money earnings from HRL sanctioned races will put in the Gold division; the next eight horses will be placed in the Silver division; the next eight horses will be placed in the Bronze division. Total purse money for a race may be divided 50% to the Gold Division, 30% to the Silver Division; 20% to the Bronze Division (starting fees will be adjusted accordingly).

For three year old races, the races will either be split in divisions or seeded. If seeded, for the first six months of the year, seeding will be determined based on HRL earnings acquired during the 2 and 3 year old HRL campaigns; the second half of the year, any seedings will be based on earnings during the 3 year old HRL campaign alone. For aged horses, if a race is seeded, the HRL earnings during the past twelve months will be used to determine seedings. Regardless of age, FFA, Invitational, Open and Preferred races, if used, will be filled as traditionally done.

There will be two sets of Breeders Crown races which will be raced over the same weekend. These will be championship races for each circuit. If a horse declares (not starts) in at least three starts on the Premier Circuit, they will ineligible for the Major Circuit championship races for that calendar year. Points, not money earned, earned on that circuit during the year will determine who gets into these championship races. Points will be determined based on the order of finish of each race (a weighting needs to be factored in for races split based on earnings).

Owners will continue to nominate to races like they presently do. The conditions will indicate if a race is part of the HRL circuit and if so, which circuit it will be included in. When an owner nominates to a race, they will agree to abide to decisions made by HRL officials and will not appeal to courts or other racing authorities.

As I stated earlier, look at this proposal conceptually; not cast in stone. There are issues which still need to be addressed, such as how the HRL will be funded and how do horses racing in Europe fit in. However, this proposal accomplishes several things: top-tier competitive quality racing each week for national wagering; a true circuit of racing which brings the top horses through out the country for the fans; encourages horses to race past their three year old campaign as it provides for an extended series of races for older horses; allows more owners/horses to participate in stake races which may encourage ownership and stimulate prices for yearlings; allows what could be called 'Class B' tracks to actively participate in a meaningful national circuit.

Feel free to share any thoughts regarding this proposal.

News Flash: There is a bill in the NJ Legislature proposing a reduction of harness race dates at the Meadowlands and Freehold Raceway. Approval of this bill would be a start but in the reality of the current situation, the cuts are probably not enough.

Kudos to Yonkers Raceway

When Yonkers Raceway first became Empire City at Yonkers Raceway, many people, including myself thought they were becoming a racino which was keeping the horses around just so they can have slot machines. Happily, I can say I was wrong. In today's New York Post there was an article about how Empire City is trying to differentiate themselves from Atlantic City and the Indian casinos in Connecticut by making people know they have harness racing. Unfortunately, I can't find one of the new television advertisements on the Internet to link to but if you look at the NY Post article, click on the slide show and you will get an idea of what they are like. What I can tell you is the horse talks to people in the casino or dining room in different commericals reminding the public of the harness racing.

As a side note, Yonkers has also advertised in newspapers in the Meadowland's backyard when they have had major stake races in the sports section.

Could Yonkers Raceway do more? Sure they can; perhaps run an occasional race card on a weekend afternoon to expose people who normally don't come in the evening to harness racing; maybe have some type of event on the vast apron by the track to get casino patrons to come outside while the horses are running. That being said, it is refreshing to see harness racing get promoted.

Who is Protecting the Public?

Not the racing commissions. Yes, the title of this entry could just as easily be called Fair Start (Not)Part 2, a continuation of a previous blog entry. Watch the start of the fourth race at Monticello Raceway today and see for yourself.

Can someone explain to me why wagers on the #8, Attempt to Deliver, were not refunded? Yes, I know NY like other states does not have the Canadian Fair Start rule. What I really am asking is if someone can explain the rationale for not refunding the money in this type of situation. Can racing expect attendance and wagering to increase when they commit this 'highway robbery'?

Shame on the tracks for asking for this recall rule when the old rule was revised. Double shame on the racing commissions for authorizing this thievery.

Question: Who is representing the public at the racing commission level?
Answer: No one.

Yes, you can tell me the public can write in comments to the racing commission and may attend commission meetings, but other than feeling good that they had their say, the racing commission will do the bidding of the tracks.

I can see the discussion when the recall rule was revised. The tracks indicated that the refunding of the money would hurt the track. The racing commission said what the heck, the people playing are degenerate gamblers so if we screw them a little bit more who cares.

The racing commissions as currently formed are not protecting the public's interest. In New Jersey, there is a Department of the Public Advocate which is charged with making government more accountable and responsive to the residents. What fans (gamblers) need is their own representative who is a full voting member on each racing commission. This way, the fan would have someone looking out for their interests rather than expressing their concerns to those people who solely have the interest of the racing industry. We should expect no less; after all, if not for the gambler, who would be paying the salaries of the drivers, trainers, racetrack owners and commission members?

We should demand nothing less.

Lucky Jim

Well, in a year where no star horse has caught the public interest, could Lucky Jim be this year's feel good story in harness racing? Yes, I was one of the initial doubters of Lucky Jim, figuring once he started taking on the better aged trotters, reality would set in.

Welcome to the new reality. Lucky Jim is for real. For his work, Lucky Jim is the USTA's Horse of the Month for may. See this article from the USTA for additional details.

Lucky Jim was easy to dismiss. After all, as a 3 year old Lucky Jim was winless with total earnings of $47,600 for the season. This year as a 4 year old, Jim is 12 for 12 and has total earnings of over $394,000 for the year.

Is it the change of trainers to Julie Miller? Is it the fact that trotters are known to improve as they age? Probably a little bit of both. All I know is it will be interesting to see how Lucky Jim progresses as the meat of the racing season comes up.

What do you think? Is Lucky Jim the real deal? Let me know what you think.