New Year Hopes 'n Dreams

[stark]

What say you, if you had it your way the New Year in horse racing would bring us......

The deserving favorite winning the Pegasus creating a chalky exacta for players?
Another Triple Crown winner?
A turf star for BB?
Higher weight standards for jockeys in America?
Tougher penalties for drug infractions?
A fresh new face on the desk @ TVG?
Somebody in addition to Stronach stepping up their breeding program in California?
Some new camera angles especially on the far turn, maybe it's time for drones like the NFL uses?
Speaking of the NFL, what about that first down yellow line......wouldn't it be nice to have a finish line for races on our TV sets?

Personally I'd like to see some changes in weight assignments written in the race conditions.....is it really important to get 2lbs off if you haven't won a race since July? Or another 2lbs off if you'll drop your claiming price a few thousand? Can't we simplify handicapping things at the expense of irritating a few trainers?

Curious to read what your hopes 'n dreams for 2018 are, keep it real, as everyone agrees horse's health is the #1 priority, what's #2,3,4 on your list?

[BaroqueAgain1]

Some thoughts on a few of your questions:
*Another Triple Crown winner?
Not high on my list of "I wish..." I can wait another year or two for the next one.
*Higher weight standards for jockeys in America?
If our weight assignments are brought into line with, say, European weights, it would be a boon for our current riders' health. On the other hand, IMHO it wouldn't end the issues of jock's sacrificing their health for rides. No matter where the weights end up, there is always going to be an ambitious jock, whose natural weight is just above the standard, who will try to get down to the new competitive level.
*A fresh new face on the desk @ TVG?
I've already noticed new faces on their desk, like Megan Devine and Candace Hare. Also some seasoned pros like Kurt Hoover and Peter Lurie handling some shifts.
*Some new camera angles especially on the far turn, maybe it's time for drones like the NFL uses?
I've seen drones used for Australian races, and that overhead view of the start and first furlong or so is very interesting...and informative.
I really wish Saratoga would add some cameras along their turns and backstretch. All I can see during The Spa's races is the long pan view from the single camera on (I think?) the grandstand. For most of a race down the backstretch, all you can see is little bobbing heads, with the horses obscured by hedges and fences. For such a prestigious meet, their camera coverage is kind of bush league.
*Personally I'd like to see some changes in weight assignments written in the race conditions.....is it really important to get 2lbs off if you haven't won a race since July? Or another 2lbs off if you'll drop your claiming price a few thousand? Can't we simplify handicapping things at the expense of irritating a few trainers?
Don't those little 2lb-off advantages serve a purpose, which is giving trainers a bit of encouragement to run their horses? Which helps the track fill a race? And isn't that what handicappers want?
Simplifying 'handicapping things' doesn't really help the handicapper if he/she ends up with fewer horses to wager on, IMHO.

[Sparrow Castle]

How about a national commissioner to bring uniformity, integrity, and accountability to all parts of the racing industry - large and small. At least pass the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act. Please not another year of arguing and inaction on the major issues contributing to the downhill slide of the sport we love.

TVG‏Verified account @TVG
We are happy to announce that Report/Analyst @Gabby_Gaudet_ will be joining the @TVG team live providing coverage from @GulfstreamPark this weekend & throughout the meet. Welcome, Gabby! She joins us this morning on the line from Florida:
https://twitter.com/TVG/status/946470239536947200

[stark]

How about a national commissioner to bring uniformity, integrity, and accountability to all parts of the racing industry - large and small.

Attached please find an article written by Gary Contessa and printed in the Paulick Report about two months ago.
https://www.paulickreport.com/news/ray- ... missioner/

Following that article are some 155 comments from people like us. After reading most of those I've come to a conclusion similar to that of Barry Irwin, ain't no way in hell this idea is ever going to be implemented.

One thing for certain is that any comparison to MLB, NFL and NBA commissioners is almost irrelevant, horse racing is not a league of competitors as those are. Racetracks are independent entities in individual states with individual rules, isn't that really the American way?

If there is such a person out there that could bring uniformity, integrity and accountability to all parts of the industry may I suggest they not waste their time on horse racing and concentrate their efforts on the top offices in Washington DC instead.
,

[Sparrow Castle]

How about a national commissioner to bring uniformity, integrity, and accountability to all parts of the racing industry - large and small.

Attached please find an article written by Gary Contessa and printed in the Paulick Report about two months ago.
https://www.paulickreport.com/news/ray- ... missioner/

Following that article are some 155 comments from people like us. After reading most of those I've come to a conclusion similar to that of Barry Irwin, ain't no way in hell this idea is ever going to be implemented.

One thing for certain is that any comparison to MLB, NFL and NBA commissioners is almost irrelevant, horse racing is not a league of competitors as those are. Racetracks are independent entities in individual states with individual rules, isn't that really the American way?

If there is such a person out there that could bring uniformity, integrity and accountability to all parts of the industry may I suggest they not waste their time on horse racing and concentrate their efforts on the top offices in Washington DC instead.
,

Just because it would be difficult, doesn't mean it shouldn't happen. I like what Barry Irwin said about this sport might have to die first and then be reborn in a completely new and sane model. Maybe as the last fat insular noses are heading underwater, there will be a last-gasp opportunity. That would be much more painful though than starting to change the model now.

[stark]

Curious to read what your hopes 'n dreams for 2018 are, keep it real, as everyone agrees horse's health is the #1 priority, what's #2,3,4 on your list?

Okay, here's an idea that I think qualifies as a win-win.

Lots of talk about rebates.
Lots of talk about dwindling on-track attendance.
Lots of talk about takeout percentages being too high.

How about a significant improvement and I'm not talking about dollar beers or free umbrellas.
How about a 10% bonus to those who wager on-track?
If you're sitting on your couch and hit a $50 exacta, it's going to cost you $5bucks when compared to the $55 the fans on-track will be cashing!

I am convinced that players are staying away because of the takeout.
I am convinced that the sport needs better live attendance.
If serious players can get ADW rebates based on their dollar volume, why not reward everybody who actually makes it to the track?

It's just plain ol' common sense, no?

[Somnambulist]

It's not even just that.

When the serious players get up in years what are you going to do to replace them? My generation has no money. I can't imagine betting $20 and losing it, let alone more.

Furthermore why do I want to bet on a corrupt product? I love racing but it sticking it's thumbs up it's ass while horses are drugged and aftercare is a wreck makes me feel pretty bad about liking it sometimes. I almost feel like I'm enabling.

[stark]

When the serious players get up in years what are you going to do to replace them? My generation has no money. I can't imagine betting $20 and losing it, let alone more.

It's been at least 40 years that I've heard the concerns about the fan base being too old and that the industry as a whole needs to attract younger audiences. BS.

The truth is, much as you've expressed, the attractive younger generation doesn't have the discretionary income that's required to play this game. What the industry leaders need to do is direct their energy towards the 50somethings that play golf twice a week rather than somebody who is still paying off their student loans. Or better yet, a 60something that is considering buying a boat would be a much better target than a 25 year old that still lives with their parents. And the good news is for the past couple of decades it happens exactly that way despite the leaders not paying any attention at all. Spend the advertising dollars on the baby boomers rather than the millennials and watch the money coming in the front door.

Back in the day when racing partnerships got going strong....Dogwood, Clover to name a couple, lobbyists made certain that there were tax laws in place that made investing attractive. Where are those lobbyists today? Granted, golf and boats don't yield high returns, but horse racing could at least make a better try at it.

Pay attention racetracks, the money is out there if you're willing to cater to it. The casinos pay to bring 'em by the busload, what does the race track do?

[Sparrow Castle]

It's not even just that.

When the serious players get up in years what are you going to do to replace them? My generation has no money. I can't imagine betting $20 and losing it, let alone more.

Furthermore why do I want to bet on a corrupt product? I love racing but it sticking it's thumbs up it's ass while horses are drugged and aftercare is a wreck makes me feel pretty bad about liking it sometimes. I almost feel like I'm enabling.

I wish there were a "like" button. #stillhopeful

[Somnambulist]

Stark, I agree that it shouldn't focus it's effort on a younger bracket. Too bad every track seems married to the idea of all these luxury boxes and giving the younger generation an experience is supposedly wants. If I read one more article about what my age bracket wants at a track i'm going to roll my eyes. You definitely do need disposable income to bet, so I get wanting to attract the affluent for an experience but the regular folk have that as well.

Casino games are by and large nowhere near as complicated as handicapping can be.

Lots of very famous people own pieces of horses. I can respect wanting privacy more than most people. I just wonder why they aren't used as advocates more than they are. We're in the age of the influencer, aren't we? Oh, but racing is an inbred as any industry... no outside blood is hired. Are those articles on Paulick Report about "new faces in racing" still happening... the ones when it's just so and so's kids being hired?

Animal rights lurking under the surface at an all time high. I can honestly see it being a platform issue decades from now. Clean it up and eradicate the feeling that you're putting money on an animal's life.

Transparency in betting would be cool. Maybe I'd bet more if I actually knew what I was betting on (are horses drugged, hurt, etc.).

I love racing. I just hope it loves itself.