Maywood Park is experimenting with a "Quick Start" where the starter is releasing the field roughly 175 feet before the start of the race in the hope of giving outside horses a better chance to get involved in the race. According to Maywood's own press release, the quick start has increased the frequency of the seven and eight horse being involved in the trifecta. While Maywood should be applauded for attempting to do something to mix things up and give the outside horses a better chance to win, it does raise some concerns.
By releasing the field 175 feet before the start, the field is actually racing .03 miles more even though the timer doesn't start before the field reaches the starting line. Granted it is not a big difference, but since the field is released earlier, horses have the potential of racing faster at the start of the race than they can at other half mile ovals which may result in faster miles. It is one thing if horses race only at one track, but since horses can race at different tracks, is it putting handicappers at other tracks at a disadvantage when one of these horses show up at their local track?
The quick start raises other questions. Should the race be denoted in the past performances as being approximately one mile? If listed as approximately a mile, should the timer be started earlier to include the additional distance? In the event a race goes in a world record time, should it be recorded as such? To avoid dealing with such issues, racing officials should quickly assess if giving the horses an extra 175 feet of straightway at the start is a true benefit and if so, reconfigure the track to move the starting pole/finish line up the stretch 175 feet so the race start and timer sync up.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Christie for Proximity Award
Though I am not a member of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA), I would like to suggest New Jersey Governor Chris Christie as a nominee for the USHWA's Proximity Award, an award presented annually to someone who made an outstanding contribution to harness racing. That's right. The same person who is saying 'No' to VLTs, "No' to subsidies, wants to cut the number of racing days, and possibly close the Meadowlands should be considered as a candidate for the Proximity Award.
How could someone willing to reduce the number one 'A' track in the United States to a 'B' track be considered for an award honoring a person making an outstanding contribution to the sport? Before you think I have gone stark raving mad, let me explain my rationale. If Governor Christie gets his way, at least there will be standardbred racing in the New Jersey. The same can't be said for some other racing states. In the short term, horses may be heading in caravans to race at other tracks, in the long run they will be back.
Sixteen years ago, Iowa approved slot machines at the racetracks to save the greyhound racing industry. As long as the tracks agreed to contribute money to the purses of the races and race a minimum number of days, they could have slots. Thanks to this legislation, Harrah's is contributing $12 million a year to support the greyhound meets as wagering accounts for only 4% of the purse account at the tracks. Sounds familiar? Well now, as reported in the Des Moines Register, Harrah's is offering Iowa $70 million over seven years if they allow the racetracks to drop greyhound racing. A bill has been introduced to allow Harrah's to do so.
If successful in Iowa (or not), how long do you think it will be before Harrah's offers an incentive to the state of Pennsylvania to discontinue harness racing at Chester Downs, something they have made no secret they would like to do? After all, the same arguments Harrah's is making in Iowa can be said in every other state with racinos. If Harrah's gets the okay to drop racing at Chester, it will be the death of the sport in Pennsylvania as Pocono and the Meadows would get the same option. Then how long until this happens in Florida, Maine, or New York?
At least they will still be racing in New Jersey. While in the short term Governor Christie will be causing pain for horsemen, in the long run the sport will be better off as he will be forcing the sport to make the changes it needs to remain competitive and self sufficient. Rather than fighting the Governor's plans, horsemen would be better off trying to get the two commissions dealing with racing to address the simulcast and ADW issues which cause signals to be boycotted when a track attempts to lower takeout. Explore the possibility of the Mid Atlantic Racing Cooperative coming up with their own ADW to break the stranglehold that TVG and Youbet/Twinspires has on signals and pricing. Explore coordinating race dates within member tracks of the cooperative and come up with a meaningful simulcast schedule to maximize wagering on the tracks open.
The longer the industry waits to try to solve its problems the harder it will be to survive. By turning off the supplement tap now, Christie is giving the sport a chance by forcing it to deal with the problems now, not fifteen years from now when the sport is in an even weaker condition. For this, Christie should be given our thanks.
How could someone willing to reduce the number one 'A' track in the United States to a 'B' track be considered for an award honoring a person making an outstanding contribution to the sport? Before you think I have gone stark raving mad, let me explain my rationale. If Governor Christie gets his way, at least there will be standardbred racing in the New Jersey. The same can't be said for some other racing states. In the short term, horses may be heading in caravans to race at other tracks, in the long run they will be back.
Sixteen years ago, Iowa approved slot machines at the racetracks to save the greyhound racing industry. As long as the tracks agreed to contribute money to the purses of the races and race a minimum number of days, they could have slots. Thanks to this legislation, Harrah's is contributing $12 million a year to support the greyhound meets as wagering accounts for only 4% of the purse account at the tracks. Sounds familiar? Well now, as reported in the Des Moines Register, Harrah's is offering Iowa $70 million over seven years if they allow the racetracks to drop greyhound racing. A bill has been introduced to allow Harrah's to do so.
If successful in Iowa (or not), how long do you think it will be before Harrah's offers an incentive to the state of Pennsylvania to discontinue harness racing at Chester Downs, something they have made no secret they would like to do? After all, the same arguments Harrah's is making in Iowa can be said in every other state with racinos. If Harrah's gets the okay to drop racing at Chester, it will be the death of the sport in Pennsylvania as Pocono and the Meadows would get the same option. Then how long until this happens in Florida, Maine, or New York?
At least they will still be racing in New Jersey. While in the short term Governor Christie will be causing pain for horsemen, in the long run the sport will be better off as he will be forcing the sport to make the changes it needs to remain competitive and self sufficient. Rather than fighting the Governor's plans, horsemen would be better off trying to get the two commissions dealing with racing to address the simulcast and ADW issues which cause signals to be boycotted when a track attempts to lower takeout. Explore the possibility of the Mid Atlantic Racing Cooperative coming up with their own ADW to break the stranglehold that TVG and Youbet/Twinspires has on signals and pricing. Explore coordinating race dates within member tracks of the cooperative and come up with a meaningful simulcast schedule to maximize wagering on the tracks open.
The longer the industry waits to try to solve its problems the harder it will be to survive. By turning off the supplement tap now, Christie is giving the sport a chance by forcing it to deal with the problems now, not fifteen years from now when the sport is in an even weaker condition. For this, Christie should be given our thanks.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The Gov is Serious
As a result of Governor Christie's transition team's report on gaming and racing, the Governor issued Executive Order 11 which establishes a seven person commission to review what should happen to the NJSEA. This committee is to report back to the Governor with their findings no later than June 30th. As Governor Christie indicated in his press conference discussing the new executive order, the Meadowlands is the most valuable piece of property in New Jersey and he was not going to let any one special interest determine how to best utilize the property. In the same executive order authorizing the new commission to look into what should happen to the NJSEA and the Meadowlands site, Christie has charged the blue ribbon panel former Governor Corzine established to determine a way for racing to be 'self-substaining' (no subsidy). This committee has until April 1st to report back to the Governor at which time the committee will be dissolved.
This new executive order clearly indicates the transition team's report on racing is not being dismissed by the Governor. The Governor appears to be sticking to his commitment of no slot machines in the Meadowlands, and no casino purse subsidies as well.
While it is only February, it is certainly starting to look like racing in New Jersey is going to be a totally different looking product in 2011. Horsemen may very well be faced with sticking to the requirement to race the number of days they currently are racing for and finding themselves racing for perhaps less than half the money they are racing for now, or cutting their race days and race with a 25% purse cut. I realize horsemen will be continuing to fight for VLTs and/or subsidies but if they fail, hopefully they will realize it is in their best interest to race less days for more money; it would be best for the industry on the whole.
In other news, the NJRC has revoked the licenses of those involved with the current David Brooks fiasco. Hopefully, other states will follow.
This new executive order clearly indicates the transition team's report on racing is not being dismissed by the Governor. The Governor appears to be sticking to his commitment of no slot machines in the Meadowlands, and no casino purse subsidies as well.
While it is only February, it is certainly starting to look like racing in New Jersey is going to be a totally different looking product in 2011. Horsemen may very well be faced with sticking to the requirement to race the number of days they currently are racing for and finding themselves racing for perhaps less than half the money they are racing for now, or cutting their race days and race with a 25% purse cut. I realize horsemen will be continuing to fight for VLTs and/or subsidies but if they fail, hopefully they will realize it is in their best interest to race less days for more money; it would be best for the industry on the whole.
In other news, the NJRC has revoked the licenses of those involved with the current David Brooks fiasco. Hopefully, other states will follow.
Dragged Through the Mud
Harness racing is getting plenty of press these days. Press it does not need thanks to the David Brooks trial in New York concerning insider trading and other related charges. As a result of this trial, the general public which if at all familiar with harness racing, is treated to news of standardbred trainers testifying for the prosecution (last week it was Carl Conte and it is now reported that Brett Pelling will be returning from New Zealand to testify as other harness-related people are expected to do). While this case does not include charges of race fixing or drugging, to the uninformed (our target market) it may as well have. All they hear is the phrase 'harness racing' discussed within the context of a criminal trial. To many of the general public, it may as well have been race fixing.
So once again, harness racing's reputation is dragged through the mud. What happened before the indictment was issued was unavoidable but what about after? Could something have been done to minimize the bad publicity we are now seeing (after all, if there was a major stakes race last year, odds were Bulletproof was picking up a check)? Was the transfer of horses from stables controlled by David Brooks to stables controlled by others in his family investigated to make sure these were legitimate transfers? Where David Brooks' family members fit for licensing? Based on the recent action by the Ontario Racing Commission which was then honored by the USTA, I suspect the answer may be 'No'.
Since the USTA is a breed registry and some states don't require USTA membership, the problem lies with the state regulators; they have the ability to investigate and enforce any decisions. Here is where a national racing compact can help. Right now, it is up to each state to conduct an investigation. If a compact is set up correctly, one organization with the financal ability to launch an in-depth investigation will be able to do so to help protect the racing industry.
What has happened has happened. The key is to learn from history in order to avoid similar problems in the future.
As a side note, some people are wondering what the problem is with regards to harness racing; why has Bulletproof been put 'on ice'? After all, there is no allegations of race fixing or illegal drugs being used. It boils down to integrity. For an industry where gambling is involved, integrity is paramount, so even if the crimes are alleged in an indictment, a suspension until the issue is resolved is warranted. Other sports do it, why shouldn't we?
So once again, harness racing's reputation is dragged through the mud. What happened before the indictment was issued was unavoidable but what about after? Could something have been done to minimize the bad publicity we are now seeing (after all, if there was a major stakes race last year, odds were Bulletproof was picking up a check)? Was the transfer of horses from stables controlled by David Brooks to stables controlled by others in his family investigated to make sure these were legitimate transfers? Where David Brooks' family members fit for licensing? Based on the recent action by the Ontario Racing Commission which was then honored by the USTA, I suspect the answer may be 'No'.
Since the USTA is a breed registry and some states don't require USTA membership, the problem lies with the state regulators; they have the ability to investigate and enforce any decisions. Here is where a national racing compact can help. Right now, it is up to each state to conduct an investigation. If a compact is set up correctly, one organization with the financal ability to launch an in-depth investigation will be able to do so to help protect the racing industry.
What has happened has happened. The key is to learn from history in order to avoid similar problems in the future.
As a side note, some people are wondering what the problem is with regards to harness racing; why has Bulletproof been put 'on ice'? After all, there is no allegations of race fixing or illegal drugs being used. It boils down to integrity. For an industry where gambling is involved, integrity is paramount, so even if the crimes are alleged in an indictment, a suspension until the issue is resolved is warranted. Other sports do it, why shouldn't we?
Monday, February 1, 2010
Poppycock!
The horsemen in New Jersey have finally responded to the Christie transition team's report on racing; a week after it was first discussed here. Why it took so long for the industry to respond puzzles me; perhaps they were trying to get a feel where the Governor stood on this report (after all, this report was only recommendations for the Governor) and wanted to present a united front when they responded. After all, being the Meadowlands is the center of the harness racing world in the United States, what happens in New Jersey likely will domino into other states.
Whether the transition team's report is implemented in full or not, big changes are coming; it is unavoidable. The law of economics always wins out; the subsidy racing has received has only delayed the inevitable; especially when you do nothing to improve your lot. To be fair, racing has been somewhat hampered by being a heavily regulated industry by the individual states. Any type of change they wish to implement needs to be approved by a racing commission and/or legislature; required to race more than they should in an effort to raise income for state governments.
I understand horsemen's desire to keep supplements and VLT revenue flowing. After all, no one wants to take a pay cut, relocate, or have to deal with the unknown; there is comfort in stability. However, the attitude that racing can only survive with assistance means you really don't believe in the product.
Poppycock. Yes, racing missed the boat, losing a generation to other gaming activities by failing to adapt to new technology. People forget at its simplest form, racing is an exciting product. Our problem is we need to give the public what they want from racing, not what we want to give them. Once we accept this fact, racing will be on its way to self sufficiency.
View from the Racetrack Grandstand favorite, Andrew Cohen received an O'Brien award this weekend for an article in Trot Magazine. He had some interesting comments this weekend regarding racing's situation, including the on-going Bulletproof debacle. For those of you who have not yet read the article or seen the interview, it is worth a look.
Harnesslink reports that Auckland Reactor is on his way to the United States for an assault on the all time world record this summer. If all goes to plan he will be arriving in Los Angeles tomorrow and then off to trainer Kelvin Harrison's stable in New Jersey after a three day quarantine. Hopefully, the Reactor will live up to his reputation and become a major story line this summer racing in the FFA ranks.
Whether the transition team's report is implemented in full or not, big changes are coming; it is unavoidable. The law of economics always wins out; the subsidy racing has received has only delayed the inevitable; especially when you do nothing to improve your lot. To be fair, racing has been somewhat hampered by being a heavily regulated industry by the individual states. Any type of change they wish to implement needs to be approved by a racing commission and/or legislature; required to race more than they should in an effort to raise income for state governments.
I understand horsemen's desire to keep supplements and VLT revenue flowing. After all, no one wants to take a pay cut, relocate, or have to deal with the unknown; there is comfort in stability. However, the attitude that racing can only survive with assistance means you really don't believe in the product.
Poppycock. Yes, racing missed the boat, losing a generation to other gaming activities by failing to adapt to new technology. People forget at its simplest form, racing is an exciting product. Our problem is we need to give the public what they want from racing, not what we want to give them. Once we accept this fact, racing will be on its way to self sufficiency.
View from the Racetrack Grandstand favorite, Andrew Cohen received an O'Brien award this weekend for an article in Trot Magazine. He had some interesting comments this weekend regarding racing's situation, including the on-going Bulletproof debacle. For those of you who have not yet read the article or seen the interview, it is worth a look.
Harnesslink reports that Auckland Reactor is on his way to the United States for an assault on the all time world record this summer. If all goes to plan he will be arriving in Los Angeles tomorrow and then off to trainer Kelvin Harrison's stable in New Jersey after a three day quarantine. Hopefully, the Reactor will live up to his reputation and become a major story line this summer racing in the FFA ranks.
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