rrbauer
12-12-2008, 08:14 AM
Everytime I see an article by Fred Pope on how to fix racing, I cringe. This is no exception.
From the article:
"Pope said a revised model could produce $500 million a year for purses. He suggested the IHA be changed to mandate that host tracks and horsemen get 50% of the takeout on interstate wagers; that language granting horsemen in receiving states consent be removed; and that the word "horsemen" be changed to "raceehorse owners."
“We need a business model to grow the live racing product,” Pope said. “Bet-taking has no place in the new economy. The unfair advantage racing has been given by the federal government has never been realized because of the stranglehold bet-takers have on our sport. How we’ve screwed this up over the years is a crying shame.”
Comment:
Pope wants to "grow" the racing product by increasing purses which, according to him, will grow the live-racing product. Nuts! Nothing, short of turning off all simulcasting and Internet betting, will grow the live racing product. And, that would remove 3/4 of the handle that's in the game today. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face. If Pope wants to contribute to the industry, he should signup for pall bearer, and join some of the other "experts" who are going to bury this game.
http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/48409.htm?id=48409&source=rss
From the article:
"Pope said a revised model could produce $500 million a year for purses. He suggested the IHA be changed to mandate that host tracks and horsemen get 50% of the takeout on interstate wagers; that language granting horsemen in receiving states consent be removed; and that the word "horsemen" be changed to "raceehorse owners."
“We need a business model to grow the live racing product,” Pope said. “Bet-taking has no place in the new economy. The unfair advantage racing has been given by the federal government has never been realized because of the stranglehold bet-takers have on our sport. How we’ve screwed this up over the years is a crying shame.”
Comment:
Pope wants to "grow" the racing product by increasing purses which, according to him, will grow the live-racing product. Nuts! Nothing, short of turning off all simulcasting and Internet betting, will grow the live racing product. And, that would remove 3/4 of the handle that's in the game today. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face. If Pope wants to contribute to the industry, he should signup for pall bearer, and join some of the other "experts" who are going to bury this game.
http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/48409.htm?id=48409&source=rss