Interesting Read.

[Casino]

The Jockey Club has commissioned a consulting firm to produce a report examining the state and direction of the U.S. racing industry, with the results to be presented at the organization’s Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing in August in Saratoga Springs, according to a letter sent to racing officials seeking their cooperation.

The consulting firm, McKinsey & Company, has been asked to “examine the current course of the sport and where it would be over the next 10 years without change,” while providing recommendations to improve the short-term and long-term prospects of the industry. According to the letter, the study will include examinations of takeout rates, international markets, marketing efforts, and the industry’s efforts to address safety issues.

“The Jockey Club’s board of stewards firmly believes this study will illuminate the best opportunities for bringing sustainable, positive change to our sport and create a credible frame of reference for building consensus among breeders, owners, racetracks and other constituencies to move this sport forward,” the letter states.

The racing industry has been in a protracted state of decline for three years, following a long period of stagnation. In the past three years, handle on U.S. races has declined nearly 25 percent, to a level not seen since 1995. In addition, the foal crop has begun rapidly falling for the first time in 20 years, in concert with a crash of the bloodstock market brought on by the effects of the recent recession.



Most racing officials expect the foal crop declines to lead to pressure on tracks to reduce race dates by a significant amount over the next three years. Although race dates declined in 2010 by 7.75 percent, the financial struggles of many horsemen and the number of racetracks whose racing licenses are tied to slot-machine licenses, which require a minimum number of race dates, have provided resistance to significant efforts to slash days from the schedule. Bob Curran, a spokesperson for the Jockey Club, said on Monday that the letter went to a cross-section of individuals in the racing industry, including racetrack executives, owners, breeders, trainers, horseplayers, regulators, media representatives, and racing consultants and advisers. The letters went to approximately 200 people.

The Round Table conference is scheduled this year for Aug. 14. The conference typically features presentations on the most significant issues facing racing.

[andymays]

Robert Colton was interviewed on the Roger Stein show. The article was written prior to the disaster in Japan and I know that all of our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Japan. Even though the Tsunami/Earthquake reference is unfortunate at this time if you are at all interested in the future of Thoroughbred Racing you should read the article and open the PDF.


If you are unable to open the attachment then try this link and click on download:

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_Q2W4mqKd3eN2Y3OWFkYTMtNWVjNS00MmMzLTg5Z TUtMTQxOGY4ZjFkZmEx&hl=en


All the statistics are included in the PDF.

[DJofSD]

Most racing officials expect the foal crop declines to lead to pressure on tracks to reduce race dates by a significant amount over the next three years. Although race dates declined in 2010 by 7.75 percent, the financial struggles of many horsemen and the number of racetracks whose racing licenses are tied to slot-machine licenses, which require a minimum number of race dates, have provided resistance to significant efforts to slash days from the schedule.

Slot revenues: no good deed goes unpunsihed.

Just like TARP, it provides no lasting solution and only delays the inevitable.

[thespaah]

There are waring factions. Horsemen who want a bigger share of revenues and unfortunately have a strong dislike for the wagering public and also believe the sport could do just fine without wagering. Then there are the horse players who seem to criticize just about every aspect of the game from the size of the fields to the shortening on race calendars to the reasons why they refuse to wager on track. Then there are the track managements who have seemingly forgotten how to market their venues as well as the sport in general and treat their customers with indifference or even as targets to be fleeced by high refreshment prices, lousy food and other indignities.
Horse racing is a great sport. It just needs some major adjustments.
No doubt a correction is in order. Fewer tracks with fewer race dates.
Two important points could be achieved. With fewer tracks operating and with demand for stall space, racing secretaries can write races that will fill.
Obviously with fewer tracks operating, there won't be so many tracks competing with each other for the same stock plus there won't be so many tracks competing for the same wagering dollars at the same time.
Less is more. That's a theory that may just have to become reality.

[Kelso]

With fewer tracks operating and with demand for stall space, racing secretaries can write races that will fill.As well, this would allow the tracks to eliminate the paid-workout incentives to which some have resorted in order to make fields appear to be full when they really aren't.

Saving thousands of dollars per race on the also-rans (5th and beyond) will enable track managements, should they be so inclined, to undertake some long-neglected repairs. (Who knows ... they might even be able to keep the paper towel dispensers filled in the rest rooms!)

[Irish Boy]

It might also encourage tracks to improve the quality of their video equipment. Track closed circuit feed quality lies somewhere between early-70s pornography and junior high A/V club levels right now, and while that sounds like a small issue, getting new people to play is a struggle when video operations--your window to the world--are so clearly low rent.