What State Does It Best?

[stark]

Right now it seems as if every state in the union has some sort of serious problem delivering horse racing to the fans, both those on-site as well as remote locations.

What say you, which state is currently (annual basis not just one meet) putting on the best show AND WHY?

Are artificial surfaces better or worse than high takeouts?

Are too many racetrack deaths better or worse than short fields of healthy horses?

You get the idea, I'm curious if you think Florida leads the way or is it Kentucky, maybe New York and will California every win one of these polls?

thanks.

[PJMIII]

For me from just a racing product it would be Florida.

[Kelly Kip]

For me from just a racing product it would be Florida.

That I agree with.

[stark]

Hmmmm, Florida gonna run away with it?

I wonder if it's the Tampa version or Gulfstream?

One seems to be more fan-friendly but I think the other one attracts more money.

Either might produce Triple Crown hopefuls I suppose.

What's the final straw that got your vote? Dirt, horses, wagering platform, takeout, TV exposure, giveaways.....?

[PJMIII]

Hmmmm, Florida gonna run away with it?

I wonder if it's the Tampa version or Gulfstream?

One seems to be more fan-friendly but I think the other one attracts more money.

Either might produce Triple Crown hopefuls I suppose.

What's the final straw that got your vote? Dirt, horses, wagering platform, takeout, TV exposure, giveaways.....?For me it's the quality of the turf and dirt racing.

Although the breeding part of the business has taking some real big hits the last few years it still produces a lot top flight runners.

[Ballerina]

Just by watching the races at Oaklawn this weekend, I'd say Arkansas has a pretty good "handle" on it.

[WaquoitNBroadBrush]

Right now it seems as if every state in the union has some sort of serious problem delivering horse racing to the fans, both those on-site as well as remote locations.

What say you, which state is currently (annual basis not just one meet) putting on the best show AND WHY?

Are artificial surfaces better or worse than high takeouts?

Are too many racetrack deaths better or worse than short fields of healthy horses?

You get the idea, I'm curious if you think Florida leads the way or is it Kentucky, maybe New York and will California every win one of these polls?

thanks.

New York still puts on the best show, even with this year's aberrational winter meet. Belmont, Saratoga, Aqueduct in the fall and spring ... no major complaints about any of it except the short fields while the big stables are still out of town. Even Finger Lakes is OK racing for what it is; I don't notice too many breakdowns there, either.

I prefer low-takeout on synthetic to high-takeout on dirt.

I abhor short fields but I know I'll get pilloried if I say I prefer too many horses dying -- which I don't, honest. What I prefer is the willingness of all concerned to accept the possibility that what we've seen this non-winter at Aqueduct could be a mere aberration. If it's proven conclusively that the track, the purse structure, the trainers, the vets, etc. are behind it, then we move on from there. But so far all we have is conjecture and, even worse, politically motivated bleating from PETA and its ilk.

That's what I mean by baby/bathwater. Maybe we just saw a bizarre coincidence: a dozen or so horses all taking wrong steps or having old repairs give way in a two-month stretch. Maybe nothing out of the ordinary, breakdown-wise, takes place at Aqueduct or Belmont this spring. I just don't want to see racing overreact and forget what makes the mare go -- betting -- at a time when declining foal crops are already decreasing the pool of available racehorses.

[Miss Woodford]

Louisiana. Delaware also deserves a mention.

For non-racino states, Virginia is on top. Especially when you take steeplechasing into account.

[stark]

In the year 2525 or perhaps much much sooner, only 3 states will have racing that carry National interests, that means National TV coverage by TVG/HRTV etc. and National coverage by the bibles, DRF, Equibase, Brisnet etc. and of course fans across the country all focused on one track at a time with HUGE wagering pools to dip into.

And those three states will be.....

1. Florida
2. New York
3. ?

Of course it will be quite a bit easier for one Governing body to step in and control things and negotiate with the 3 state's governments with regards to uniform medications, takeouts etc.

Anything else will be relegated to local/regional news stations/newspapers etc. for those that are interested.

[Miss Woodford]

In the year 2525 or perhaps much much sooner, only 3 states will have racing that carry National interests, that means National TV coverage by TVG/HRTV etc. and National coverage by the bibles, DRF, Equibase, Brisnet etc. and of course fans across the country all focused on one track at a time with HUGE wagering pools to dip into.

And those three states will be.....

1. Florida
2. New York
3. ?

Of course it will be quite a bit easier for one Governing body to step in and control things and negotiate with the 3 state's governments with regards to uniform medications, takeouts etc.

Anything else will be relegated to local/regional news stations/newspapers etc. for those that are interested.
Kentucky Derby isn't going anywhere (they'd have to change the name of the race and every single tradition surrounding it), so that'd be state #3.

[stark]

Kentucky Derby isn't going anywhere (they'd have to change the name of the race and every single tradition surrounding it), so that'd be state #3.

There can always be an exception to the rule and it might just be having Churchill Downs open for a week to run the big two races. The rest of the year is of little consequence to the gamblers across the Nation. Keeneland however is another story altogether, they'll keep Kentucky in the running until the final cuts are made.

And if Churchill doesn't want to open for just one week, then we can have the YUMMY for 3 year olds championship at a different venue, nobody is too big to fail.