Saving the Game

[karlskorner]

Richard Shapiro, Pres. CHRB

http://opinions.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=34283

[KingChas]

Karl just mailed this letter to Bloodhorse:

Good read Mr. Shapiro,
I see when tracks run promotions the turnout is much better.I can't believe the industry has not caught on to this.

They can add $500,000 to pik 4's.But they can't afford a 15-20k car givaway once a month.Also something as simple as printing up 1000 T-shirts to be given away,betting vouchers...etc.

Car once a month.T-shirts vouchers raffled after every race on weekends.People love, sometime simple,free things.

Yours Truly,
KingChas

[karlskorner]

Still can't beat the Indians. Our local tribe gives away a car once, twice sometimes three times a week, $1000 given away every 2/3 hours on any given day, boats, motorcycles, great entertainmnet shows. You can hardly find a parking space after 10AM. I give Mr. Shapiro credit for at least trying, but it's a long uphill attempt. CRC as an experiment is going to a 3 day week for 6 weeks trying to increase the size of the fields, this may induce some attendance increase.

[JustRalph]

They can add $500,000 to pik 4's.

I think that is all smoke and mirrors. I think they rarely have to add that much to the pools. The advertised guarantee is almost always hit by the bettors..........alone. Without the kick in............

[Loosehorse]

I followed a link on Equidaliy for this Derby List Gem...

I do have a marketing idea to throw out to you NTRA, DRF, Racetrack
Executive types. Racing may not have noticed but the singles scene in
this country is huge and there is an explosion of Internet Dating sites
bringing together like-minded people. Jewish singles, Christian singles,
Democratic singles, Republican singles, X-rated singles of every
possible persuasion and the list goes on and on. Why not the
Thoroughbred Racing Network Singles? Why not a campaign that sells the
track as a dating destination a la the JRA? I see an online subscription
list where you can plug in what track you will be visiting at what time
and see if there are any singles in the area who would care to join you
for some gambling and flirting.

Participating tracks could have "Date Day/Night" promotions (bring one
with you or meet one there) that includes discounted services,
giveaways, drawings from sponsoring local restaurants for a romantic
dinner for two, etc. These would be held in specific locations at the
track and can be marketed to the horsemen's community as well as there
are plenty of singles on the backstretch who might enjoy meeting racing
enthusiasts from the "other" side of the track. The possibilities are
limited only by one's imagination. The accent is on providing a fun,
safe, casual environment for newbies and hard cores alike to share an
interest in both the ponies and each other. I mean where would you
rather take a date...a slots room (thereby risking premature lever
pulling and button pushing fatigue) or the racetrack where getting
excited, feeling passionate, jumping up and down and cheering wildly are
desirable behaviors. If you win, you are a hero and have dinner date
money. If you lose, you still have the dinner date money that you wisely
tucked into your sock and have demonstrated that you actually have a
pulse, are a challenge-taking kinda guy or gal and know how to have a
good time.

So flame away Eddies of the List, tear my idea to bits and give me all
the reasons why this couldn't possibly work or be worth the effort. Then
make way for the Karens and the Tims and maybe even the Neal's to put
their thinking caps on and see exactly how this could work and be both
profitable and fun. Maybe we should do a Racing Singles list as an
adjunct to Derby List itself???


Anne Palmer

[kenwoodallpromos]

Refusing to stop cancel/delays, 2 of the only 3 allowed online betting sites (Magna and CDI) banning the others' tracks, for starters!