The expansion of gaming at racetrack casinos doesn't always guarantee more money for purses and breed development programs, horsemen said July 2 during a sobering discussion that showed horse racing's challenge to stay relevant in a revenue-driven environment.
If this is to be its final renewal, the $700,000 American Oaks (gr. IT) at Hollywood Park is going out in style after drawing 16 entrants for the 1 1/4-mile turf event. The truly intriguing field of 3-year-old fillies includes three international aspirants and four challengers from the East Coast.
Jealous Again, who won the Queen Mary Stakes (Eng-II) last month at Royal Ascot for Wesley Ward, has been purchased privately by Sheikh Mohammad's Darley Stable, it was reported by RacingPost.com July 2.
Darley Stable's Tizaqueena will try to bounce back off a third-place finish in the Early Times Mint Julep Handicap (gr. IIIT), a defeat that broke a string of four consecutive scores, as she headlines a field of eight fillies and mares in the $100,000 Locust Grove Handicap (gr. IIIT) on the Churchill Downs turf July 5.
Lisa Kotula, daughter of longtime Gulfstream Park clerk of scales and Prime Time Manager Victor Sanchez, died in Atlanta Thursday after a long illness.
After Fabulous Strike turned in a dazzling performance in the June 6 True North (gr. III), trainer Todd Beattie said he was leaning toward giving the 6-year-old gelding some well-deserved time off. But as they say, the horse will tell you what it wants, and the son of Smart Strike has spoken loud and clear.
Now, I'm not talking about the hypothetical situation developed by the great American philosopher, John Rawls, but in a similar vein of reciprocity I offer this direction of marketing the sport of Thoroughbred Horse Racing.
There are those that find the concept of redboarding an obnoxious display of poor form. My position is that the sport needs more of it.
On Wednesday, May 5th, ESPN2 aired an interview with a horseplayer named Bowen Wallace.
Why?
Because Bowen hit the Derby Superfecta for $275,000 on a $1 five horse box that cost him $120.
When was the last time you heard an interview on ESPN with a horsePLAYER?
Horseplayers throughout history have been notoriously tight-lipped, but even Andy Beyer says that if your score exceeds 10% of your gross annual income, that this entitles you to jump up on the table and declare yourself KING OF THE WORLD.
Now is the time for all horseplayers to come to the aid of their sport. Find the avenue to illustrate your big win. Explain the strategy. Those six figure hits can find their way on a local medium. Radio, TV, & Print are always looking for a good feel-good story.
These stories bring people out to the track more than a Graded Stake with a stellar field of 7 entrants.
It is obvious that racing administrators aren't doing everything they can to market the sport forward. Horseplayers need to step up and show the financial potential of the sport. Indian Casino's across the country advertise $10k jackpots with their loose slots. I think an interesting story on how you hit a $125,000 Pik6 will put a few new butts in the seats. Sure, you spent 6 hours studying the sequence. 20 years of experience and analysis resulted in the score. You don't want to give away your theory and methodology, so why not explain how you played your nieces and nephews ages in the in the last six races on the card. You've now just doubled the tally of those that will find their way back to their local oval.
Bowen Wallace of Tilden, Texas probably did more to benefit the sport than Mine That Bird did by winning the Derby. The success of this sport is measured by it's players. You can talk about the horseman, owners, and jocks all you want, but those that drive the sport are the horseplayers.
Horse racing is a big interest for many of the best poker players in the world. Instead of playing in an Ultimate Bet tournament at home, some poker stars visit the horse track. They enjoy the thrill of the races and like to bet on the outcome.
