This past Saturday, was Open Pace 2013 day at Freehold Raceway. Here is a video from a first time visitor to harness racing. We all think we remember what made us fall in love with the sport, but truth is after a period of time you lose that feeling.
Take a look at this video and see why we had fallen in love with harness racing.
Hoosier Minus Pool?: Hoosier Park may have been in a giving mood Saturday night when Captaintreacherous raced in their Invitational. The handle for WPS pools at Hoosier, excluding the Captain's race was $6-$17,000 but the pool skyrocketed to $239,000 in the 11th race as they offered Win, Place, and Show wagering on the race. Being the Captain paid $2.10 across the board one would think there was a major blood bath but if so, it had to be in the Win Pool as the other horses that finished in the top three paid more than the minimum $2.10.
Kudos to Hoosier for not cancelling place and show wagering, giving the gamblers the full range of handicapping options. However, one has to wonder if the race would have been better if they simply barred the horse from wagering.
Regardless of how you feel about Hoosier getting the Captain to appear, they should be applauded for bringing the top horse in harness racing to their track for people to see. Not enough tracks do enough to get the big horses to pay a visit to their track and draw an audience.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Living on the Public Dime
This past week, Philly.com had an article which described Pennsylvania's Act 71 as a massive welfare program for horse racing. Welfare may be too harsh a term, workfare is probably a more appropriate term as no one is getting paid to sit home and do nothing. Trainers need to train, drivers and jockeys need to race, grooms need to groom, and breeders need to breed in order to get their hands on the money Act 71 generates for horse racing.
According to Philly.com, over $1.5 billion has been given to horse racing as a result of Act 71. Of course, a lot more money went for property tax relief in the Commonwealth. The question must be asked is this money well spent? I am sure those in the horse industry would say yes. I have to wonder if the State of New York gave Kodak $1.5 billion over a period of years to keep producing film and non-digital cameras, if horesmen would feel that was money well spent? I suspect they would say no.
Of course, the problem with Kodak is it responded too slowly to the introduction of the digital camera and the other forms of digital printing. Being behind the curve, Kodak was never really able to make inroads into the consumer market for digital cameras, but they were still making film for the longest time to feed those cameras for that ever shrinking population of photo camera users. Perhaps, if Kodak had acted sooner and real progress was being made, government help would have been more acceptable.
Well, horse racing in many ways is like Kodak. Technology has flown by and racing has been slow to react. They missed the popularity of ADWs, with only now some tracks trying to compete against the big ADWs such as TVG and Twinspires, but by now most players have already sworn their allegiance to the big companies and unless they get totally annoyed with their ADW provider they are likely to stay where they are (remember, it is cheaper to retain a customer than it is to acquire a customer) unless someone offers a phenomonal offer.
Racing is totally missing out in attracting young people by not speeding up the action. Worse yet, it has been slowing things up. Younger people crave constant action so as bad as it is to have 15 minutes between races, many tracks have changed the definition of post time from being the time the race goes off to the time the horses step on the track, adding anywhere from four to ten minutes between races. Talk about not relating to the younger generation.
There is a new technological option out there which has the potential to change racing and attract younger people and quite honestly, people who don't know a thing about horses. It is called exchange wagering. Not only once a race is over does the market open on the following race, the market remains open during the race so people can continue to bet for or against a horse like the commodity dealers trade pork bellies or winter wheat. Exchange wagering is very popular where it is offered and while horsemen and tracks don't get as big a share as they do with traditional wagering, the volume more than makes up for it. Yet in North America, despite the evidence of its success, the racing industry is largely rejecting the concept of exchange wagering.
Only Cal Expo in California will be offering exchange wagering at the start of the year. New Jersey, which has approved the concept of exchange wagering is apparently waiting on the sidelines to see how it goes while all the other states refuse to consider this form of betting. What we have here is racing continuing to produce film (pari-mutuel wagering) while the public is clamoring for digital cameras (exchange wagering).
Is this really the time for horse racing to be that cautious? This problem is not unique to harness racing or quarter horses; just look at thoroughbred racing. In California, Bay Meadows is history and by the end of this year, Hollywood Park will be a mere memory. Yet in California, the horsemen refuse to give permission to exchange wagering so initially, the standardbreds will be all alone. In New Jersey, thoroughbred horsemen talk about the end of racing at Monmouth Park if slots or sports wagering doesn't arrive in time. If not now, when?
Then there is a declining foal population which seems to find a new low every year despite engorged purses, because horsemen rather reward the perennial overnight horses over green horses, refusing to increase purses sufficiently to make interest in yearlings increase as there would be a better chance to recover more of their investment, especially if the owner has a second tier horse.
So what does this have to do with workfare? While people have grown less compassionate these days drinking their tea, many are more tolerant in giving support to those who try to pick themselves up by their boot straps, doing what they can to improve their situation. Yet, here is horse racing acting like the Perils of Pauline going 'Woe is me. What shall I ever do?" The public is getting tired of horse racing having its hand out without trying to improve their own lot. The largesse of the public is being severely strained.
For racing's own good, it must revisit the way purses are allocated to reward yearling buyers by offering better purses for green horses so their purses are higher than the journeyman overnight horse, especially in the lower classes. It needs to offer a second tier breeder or sires stakes program (if not already offered). In an effort to become self-sufficient, racing needs to rethink its scheduling of race meets and be on the forefront of exchange wagering, not once again becoming a Johnny-Come-Lately.
There is a need. Is there a will?
According to Philly.com, over $1.5 billion has been given to horse racing as a result of Act 71. Of course, a lot more money went for property tax relief in the Commonwealth. The question must be asked is this money well spent? I am sure those in the horse industry would say yes. I have to wonder if the State of New York gave Kodak $1.5 billion over a period of years to keep producing film and non-digital cameras, if horesmen would feel that was money well spent? I suspect they would say no.
Of course, the problem with Kodak is it responded too slowly to the introduction of the digital camera and the other forms of digital printing. Being behind the curve, Kodak was never really able to make inroads into the consumer market for digital cameras, but they were still making film for the longest time to feed those cameras for that ever shrinking population of photo camera users. Perhaps, if Kodak had acted sooner and real progress was being made, government help would have been more acceptable.
Well, horse racing in many ways is like Kodak. Technology has flown by and racing has been slow to react. They missed the popularity of ADWs, with only now some tracks trying to compete against the big ADWs such as TVG and Twinspires, but by now most players have already sworn their allegiance to the big companies and unless they get totally annoyed with their ADW provider they are likely to stay where they are (remember, it is cheaper to retain a customer than it is to acquire a customer) unless someone offers a phenomonal offer.
Racing is totally missing out in attracting young people by not speeding up the action. Worse yet, it has been slowing things up. Younger people crave constant action so as bad as it is to have 15 minutes between races, many tracks have changed the definition of post time from being the time the race goes off to the time the horses step on the track, adding anywhere from four to ten minutes between races. Talk about not relating to the younger generation.
There is a new technological option out there which has the potential to change racing and attract younger people and quite honestly, people who don't know a thing about horses. It is called exchange wagering. Not only once a race is over does the market open on the following race, the market remains open during the race so people can continue to bet for or against a horse like the commodity dealers trade pork bellies or winter wheat. Exchange wagering is very popular where it is offered and while horsemen and tracks don't get as big a share as they do with traditional wagering, the volume more than makes up for it. Yet in North America, despite the evidence of its success, the racing industry is largely rejecting the concept of exchange wagering.
Only Cal Expo in California will be offering exchange wagering at the start of the year. New Jersey, which has approved the concept of exchange wagering is apparently waiting on the sidelines to see how it goes while all the other states refuse to consider this form of betting. What we have here is racing continuing to produce film (pari-mutuel wagering) while the public is clamoring for digital cameras (exchange wagering).
Is this really the time for horse racing to be that cautious? This problem is not unique to harness racing or quarter horses; just look at thoroughbred racing. In California, Bay Meadows is history and by the end of this year, Hollywood Park will be a mere memory. Yet in California, the horsemen refuse to give permission to exchange wagering so initially, the standardbreds will be all alone. In New Jersey, thoroughbred horsemen talk about the end of racing at Monmouth Park if slots or sports wagering doesn't arrive in time. If not now, when?
Then there is a declining foal population which seems to find a new low every year despite engorged purses, because horsemen rather reward the perennial overnight horses over green horses, refusing to increase purses sufficiently to make interest in yearlings increase as there would be a better chance to recover more of their investment, especially if the owner has a second tier horse.
So what does this have to do with workfare? While people have grown less compassionate these days drinking their tea, many are more tolerant in giving support to those who try to pick themselves up by their boot straps, doing what they can to improve their situation. Yet, here is horse racing acting like the Perils of Pauline going 'Woe is me. What shall I ever do?" The public is getting tired of horse racing having its hand out without trying to improve their own lot. The largesse of the public is being severely strained.
For racing's own good, it must revisit the way purses are allocated to reward yearling buyers by offering better purses for green horses so their purses are higher than the journeyman overnight horse, especially in the lower classes. It needs to offer a second tier breeder or sires stakes program (if not already offered). In an effort to become self-sufficient, racing needs to rethink its scheduling of race meets and be on the forefront of exchange wagering, not once again becoming a Johnny-Come-Lately.
There is a need. Is there a will?
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Start Your Holiday Shopping and Feel Good About Yourself
Every year, famed horse photographer Sarah K. Andrew spends countless days at horse sales and rescues taking pictures in an effort to help find these horses new homes; this in addition to her normal work. Her photographs are simply a delight. If you have never seen here work take a look here.
For the last three years, Sarah has been working with Farriers Greeting Cards - Hoofprints to put together an annual calendar of her work to sell for the benefit of horse rescues. In this calendar, not only will you see pictures of horses, you will learn of their stories. The calendar is in high demand and printed on heavy-stock paper. Truly, it's a calendar for any horse lover as it is not breed-specific. You will see horses of many breeds represented in the calendar sure to please and the best thing is it raisies awareness of horse rescue in a non-preachy way.
If you want to start your holiday shopping, now is as good a time to start especially with the first night of Hanukkah being the evening before Thanksgiving. You may order the calendars for a cost of $19.95 each plus tax and shipping here with all profits going to horse rescues. If you are one of those people who visit those kiosks in the malls to buy calendars for friends and yourselves, why not consider these calendars and have the profits go to help those who can't speak instead of lining someone's pocket? The best thing is you will truly feel good when you give these calendars as a gift (and keep one for yourself).
For the last three years, Sarah has been working with Farriers Greeting Cards - Hoofprints to put together an annual calendar of her work to sell for the benefit of horse rescues. In this calendar, not only will you see pictures of horses, you will learn of their stories. The calendar is in high demand and printed on heavy-stock paper. Truly, it's a calendar for any horse lover as it is not breed-specific. You will see horses of many breeds represented in the calendar sure to please and the best thing is it raisies awareness of horse rescue in a non-preachy way.
If you want to start your holiday shopping, now is as good a time to start especially with the first night of Hanukkah being the evening before Thanksgiving. You may order the calendars for a cost of $19.95 each plus tax and shipping here with all profits going to horse rescues. If you are one of those people who visit those kiosks in the malls to buy calendars for friends and yourselves, why not consider these calendars and have the profits go to help those who can't speak instead of lining someone's pocket? The best thing is you will truly feel good when you give these calendars as a gift (and keep one for yourself).
Saturday, September 21, 2013
The New Triple Crown and Hot Handicappers
In today's Harness Racing Update, Bill Finley unilaterally declared the new triple crowns for pacing and trotting. According to Finley, the Pacing Triple Crown will now consist of the North American Cup, Meadowlands Pace, and the Little Brown Jug. With regards to the Trotters, the Triple Crown consists of the Hambletonian, Canadian Trotting Classic, and Kentucky Futurity.
As much as I love tradition, it is clear the industry has abandoned the current triple crown races, in particular the Yonkers Trot and Messenger. While I would love these races to be in the Triple Crown, one needs to face reality that the big horses are not showing up (you could argue the same about the Little Brown Jug, but how do you eliminate a race where you get 47,000 people in attendance?)
In support of Finley's proposal, I will refer to these races as the 'Real' Pacing/Trotting Triple Crowns. This is not to say the Cane, Messenger, Yonkers Trot can't remain on the schedule; they provide racing opportunities for horses not ready at the moment to race against the top horses so it provides an opportunity for the second tier horses to earn.
I propose all of these races be managed by the Hambletonian Society, even if owned by the local track. With a single entity administering the races, the possibility of getting on Cable television, ADW slates greatly improves. In addition, by being controlled by a stand along group, a marketing program, including possible bonuses for sweeping the crowns may be established.
Traditionally, I have mediocre success at the Delaware County Fair, but this year as you know I was taken out of the running thanks to TVG. However, Garnet Barnsdale had a spectacular two day meet in the HANA Harness contest. Jugette Day showed Barnsdale with a $779 profit and he followed up with a $1,017 profit on Jug Day. It will be interesting to see if he continues on his hot streak as the contest moves on to Hoosier Park and Mohawk Racetrack. If you believe in trends, Barnsdale and other handicappers' selections for tonight are available here.
While it doesn't show up in the contest standings, contestant Gordon Waterstone gets an honorable mention for in the Horsemen and Fair World Weekend Preview for the Jug, Waterstone selected both Pick-4s, one paying $394; the second $250, both based on $1 payoffs. Of course, Waterstibe went deeper on each ticket and the races included non-Grand Circuit races. It goes to show you when you set rules for contests, it may go against a handicapper's strength.
As much as I love tradition, it is clear the industry has abandoned the current triple crown races, in particular the Yonkers Trot and Messenger. While I would love these races to be in the Triple Crown, one needs to face reality that the big horses are not showing up (you could argue the same about the Little Brown Jug, but how do you eliminate a race where you get 47,000 people in attendance?)
In support of Finley's proposal, I will refer to these races as the 'Real' Pacing/Trotting Triple Crowns. This is not to say the Cane, Messenger, Yonkers Trot can't remain on the schedule; they provide racing opportunities for horses not ready at the moment to race against the top horses so it provides an opportunity for the second tier horses to earn.
I propose all of these races be managed by the Hambletonian Society, even if owned by the local track. With a single entity administering the races, the possibility of getting on Cable television, ADW slates greatly improves. In addition, by being controlled by a stand along group, a marketing program, including possible bonuses for sweeping the crowns may be established.
Traditionally, I have mediocre success at the Delaware County Fair, but this year as you know I was taken out of the running thanks to TVG. However, Garnet Barnsdale had a spectacular two day meet in the HANA Harness contest. Jugette Day showed Barnsdale with a $779 profit and he followed up with a $1,017 profit on Jug Day. It will be interesting to see if he continues on his hot streak as the contest moves on to Hoosier Park and Mohawk Racetrack. If you believe in trends, Barnsdale and other handicappers' selections for tonight are available here.
While it doesn't show up in the contest standings, contestant Gordon Waterstone gets an honorable mention for in the Horsemen and Fair World Weekend Preview for the Jug, Waterstone selected both Pick-4s, one paying $394; the second $250, both based on $1 payoffs. Of course, Waterstibe went deeper on each ticket and the races included non-Grand Circuit races. It goes to show you when you set rules for contests, it may go against a handicapper's strength.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Race Makeover
The Charles I Smith Trot, once one of the most prestigious races for juvenile state-sired trotters will be contested once again at Freehold Raceway. The response from horsemen dropping horses in for the eliminations was underwhelming to say the least. There is no need for eliminations as only three horses had their names dropped in the box.
Three trotters. This is the state of New Jersey breeding. As such, this trio will race in a non-wagering event for a relatively generous purse of $38,500. Now granted, in its prime, the Smith was typically contested just after Labor Day. To be scheduled during the Delaware-Red Mile meet period ensured the defection of virtually every talented freshman whose trainers wanted to try their luck over the speedy Red Mile surface to set a lifetime mark. Still, it says something about the New Jersey breeding industry when you can't find eight trotters to race in a stakes race.
If the SBOANJ, sponsors of the race want to highlight New Jersey trotters, the race needs a severe makeover. The first thing which needs to be done is to change the scheduling of the race. During the Freehold spring-summer meet it is obviously too early to contest and to be honest, scheduling the race before the Red Mile meet concludes is foolish. The best thing for this race is for it to be contested after Lexington, although many horsemen will turn their non-Breeders Crown horses out for the season by then. If scheduled soon enough after Lexington, it is possible horsemen may be willing to delay the turn outs. To compress the time frame for contesting the race, one may want to limit the field to the eight highest money earners that enter so eliminations can be bypassed, shaving another week off the schedule.
Of course, racing over the half mile oval is another issue. I know the SBOANJ contests the race at Freehold to give the track some semblance of a stakes season, but if the SBOANJ is looking to showcase NJ's juvenile trotters, it may worth considering moving the race to the Meadowlands to be contested late in the Championship meet as an option for those horses which don't pass muster for the marquee two year old trotting races,
Another option could be to change the race to a three year old race for NJ-sired trotters. Then it can be raced at Freehold, perhaps as a prep for the Dexter Cup; possibly give NJ-sired horses an advantage as they move into the Dexter Cup.
Lastly, to increase the horse population eligible, the conditions may need to be changed to include NJ-bred horses as well.
Many things can be done for the Charles Smith but one thing is clear, something needs to be done.
Three trotters. This is the state of New Jersey breeding. As such, this trio will race in a non-wagering event for a relatively generous purse of $38,500. Now granted, in its prime, the Smith was typically contested just after Labor Day. To be scheduled during the Delaware-Red Mile meet period ensured the defection of virtually every talented freshman whose trainers wanted to try their luck over the speedy Red Mile surface to set a lifetime mark. Still, it says something about the New Jersey breeding industry when you can't find eight trotters to race in a stakes race.
If the SBOANJ, sponsors of the race want to highlight New Jersey trotters, the race needs a severe makeover. The first thing which needs to be done is to change the scheduling of the race. During the Freehold spring-summer meet it is obviously too early to contest and to be honest, scheduling the race before the Red Mile meet concludes is foolish. The best thing for this race is for it to be contested after Lexington, although many horsemen will turn their non-Breeders Crown horses out for the season by then. If scheduled soon enough after Lexington, it is possible horsemen may be willing to delay the turn outs. To compress the time frame for contesting the race, one may want to limit the field to the eight highest money earners that enter so eliminations can be bypassed, shaving another week off the schedule.
Of course, racing over the half mile oval is another issue. I know the SBOANJ contests the race at Freehold to give the track some semblance of a stakes season, but if the SBOANJ is looking to showcase NJ's juvenile trotters, it may worth considering moving the race to the Meadowlands to be contested late in the Championship meet as an option for those horses which don't pass muster for the marquee two year old trotting races,
Another option could be to change the race to a three year old race for NJ-sired trotters. Then it can be raced at Freehold, perhaps as a prep for the Dexter Cup; possibly give NJ-sired horses an advantage as they move into the Dexter Cup.
Lastly, to increase the horse population eligible, the conditions may need to be changed to include NJ-bred horses as well.
Many things can be done for the Charles Smith but one thing is clear, something needs to be done.
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