If you were racing czar....

[Track Phantom]

....what are the things you would change to move the industry in the right direction?

There just appears to be so much wrong with it and such competing interests and agendas that I can't see anything significant taking place to revitalize the game. And if something doesn't happen, isn't the end game elimination?

From drugs and penalties, taxation, racinos, horse treatment, etc etc....not even sure where to start if there was an almighty racing czar that could standardize the industry.

[foregoforever]

Before you start making changes, you need to establish the organizations to make those changes.

Set up something similar to the Australian Racing Board - a central authority that formulates national Rules of Racing.

States would be similar to the Principal Racing Authorities in the Aussie system. States would be required to join up in this system as a condition of being able to export their signals across state lines and accept wagers across the internet.

As in the Aussie system, states would be permitted to make local rules as long as they don't conflict with the national rules.

http://www.australianracingboard.com.au/aboutus

The Rules, Publications and Fact Book sections are particularly informative.

[Track Phantom]

Before you start making changes, you need to establish the organizations to make those changes.

Set up something similar to the Australian Racing Board - a central authority that formulates national Rules of Racing.

States would be similar to the Principal Racing Authorities in the Aussie system. States would be required to join up in this system as a condition of being able to export their signals across state lines and accept wagers across the internet.

As in the Aussie system, states would be permitted to make local rules as long as they don't conflict with the national rules.

http://www.australianracingboard.com.au/aboutus

The Rules, Publications and Fact Book sections are particularly informative.

It seems so logical. I don't understand why this hasn't happend already.

[therussmeister]

All races would be declared official as soon as I placed my bet.

[thespaah]

Major race tracks would be required to stagger their first race post times so as to not "step on" each other.
No two race tracks that race similar stock for similar purses within 100 road miles of one another would be able to operate simultaneously. It's that or the inevitable contraction of facilities.
Set up a national licensing system.
Reduce the number of graded races by redefining the requirements of a "Graded" event.
Eliminate handicap conditions. For stake and graded races use only allowance conditions or weight for age. Reason....Too many trainers bitching about weight. Tried of the whining.
Reduce the number of allowable reasons a trainer can use to scratch a horse. Right now it seems now a trainer can pull his entry if he hears a loud fart in the barn. There are too many fields decimated by scratches which carry no rhyme or reason other than "I didn't feel the horse was ( fill in the blank)..."
Make the minimum age of breeding stock 5 years instead of the current 4. Reason..Too many superstar horses are retired after their 3 year old seasons. This IMO and from a fan's viewpoint robs the public of getting more than just one year of the best of the best.
End all "cross entering" in stake or other major races. Pick one and if the field doesn't set up just how the trainer likes it, tough. We're here to race. Deal with it or get out of the business.
I stand down from my soap box.

[ElKabong]

i hate to say it, but racing (as we've known it) is dying a slow death and there isn't an entity that exists, nor wants to exist, that can save it. When the slots rug gets pulled, the scene gets blown up

After the slots rug is pulled, the only way it can survive long term is to have 4 t-bred ( or fewer) meets going at the same, nationally. Maybe 2 qh meets going.

Winter (dec-feb)
GP
TAM (Dec) OP (Jan, Feb)
SA
GG
(FG, DeD)

Spring (mar-may)
NYRA
HAW
KEE (Apr), CD (May)
TAM (or Calder)
(LaD, EVD)

Summer (june- aug)
NYRA
AP
CD (June) (ElP July- Aug)
SA (June, July) DMR (Aug)
(EVD)

Fall (sept- nov)
NYRA
AP (Sept) KEE (Oct) CD (Nov)
Calder
SA (Sept, Oct), GG(Nov)
(Lad, DeD)

PA, MD, TX, AZ etc would either be out of the t-bred live racing picture, sadly enuff...or, hold 1-2 week meets with lesser talented runners


** probable exception to this is Louisiana, which seems to have a cozy relationship between the Pols and racing folk- hopefully that can continue...my GUESS is they'll keep running multiple meets at a time 12 months a yr

[appistappis]

I'd raise the takeout, get all the money I could while firmly sticking my head in the ground. (in other words follow woodbine)

[Seabiscuit@AR]

The Fact Book which the Australian Racing Board publishes is an OK publication for some pure racing stats on turnover etc. But that is really the only thing they do of note for Australian racing

All you need to do with racing is try to make the playing field as level as possible

Drug testing needs to be as up to date as possible to make it as level a playing field as possible for trainers. Unfortunately most countries (not just America) go cheap on drug testing and essentially turn a blind eye to it all. Who wants to be a horse trainer when it will be a struggle to survive unless you are a cheat? Also proper drug testing makes it a more level playing field for bettors vs trainers with insider knowledge of when they are going "dope on"

First drug offence is a 2 year suspension. Second drug offence is a 5 year suspension. 3rd drug offence is a life ban

The stewards need to suspend any cheating jockeys with non trying rides or boat races so that it is a level playing field for bettors vs the insiders who know when the jockeys will be cheating. Unfortunately most stewards either don't know what to look for or cannot be bothered getting involved knowing their suspension will be overturned in an appeal court

That takes care of the action on the track

As for the betting side of things you need to ban rebates to make betting a level playing field for all. No good is done allowing a few players to become millionaires or even billionaires thanks to 10% 13% rebates

Also no cancellations of bets should be allowed as this rule is open to manipulation

Finally access to data needs to be fair for all. No last second crack at the totes for certain privileged players

You could also clean up what happens at the sale rings and with the breeding game. For years Coolmore paid no tax which allowed them to become big and powerful and now they get to control too many of the good horses around the world. Same goes for others who have had or still enjoy an inside run. So you need to have a level playing field so anyone can buy a good horse not just the members of the big international horse buying and breeding cartel. Too many G1 races are won by too few

What needs to happen is fairly simple. But it won't happen as there have been too many people getting inside runs in the racing game for years and years and that has allowed them to become big and powerful in the racing world. Some have become the biggest trainers, some are the biggest punters with the biggest tote turnover, others are the biggest owners and breeders of horses. These people now control the racing game and the massive pool of money poured in by bettors and horse owners. There is no way they are going to hand over this control anytime soon. They will let the game die and invest their cash into casinos before giving up control

[RichieP]

post #6 looks right on the money as far as the future of tbreds here after the casino money blows up. I hope so anyway :)

[duncan04]

post #6 looks right on the money as far as the future of tbreds here after the casino money blows up. I hope so anyway :)

While it may appear to be a good idea, is it really? What about all the horses who couldn't compete at the listed tracks. If they don't have a chance of winning, would they be abandoned or slaughtered? And the loss of jobs? Add them to the ranks of the unemployed. It may sound good but in reality is it really?

[Hambletonian]

1) Complete stewards reports of every day of racing like in hong kong.

2) a gradual reduction of allowable race day medication.

3) public vets list

4) increased efforts to police the sport and rid it of the many miscreants.

5) licensing of individuals and their related entities as a group...no sending your horses to your brother in law when you are suspended.

6) like Ontario just did, suspend horses, or even better, owners, as well as trainers..see how quickly that will force owners to reevaluate their trainers.

[Let's Roll]

Great ideas from everyone, all deserve to be looked at.
My number one agenda would be to limit the field for all Triple Crown races to 12, 14 tops.I would also limit the number of horses a trainer may enter into those races, probably 2.
When this done we'll have some rivalries going and we'll get some Triple Crown winners too. That will generate interest in our sport, I think that has to come first before any other ideas make a difference.

[cj]

Great ideas from everyone, all deserve to be looked at.
My number one agenda would be to limit the field for all Triple Crown races to 12, 14 tops.I would also limit the number of horses a trainer may enter into those races, probably 2.
When this done we'll have some rivalries going and we'll get some Triple Crown winners too. That will generate interest in our sport, I think that has to come first before any other ideas make a difference.

Of all the problems in racing, that would be number one? I'm not sure many even consider it a problem at all to be honest.

[usedtolovetvg]

I'd get as much money as I could before the sport disappears completely. I wonder if anyone can tell me one thing that the sport does right. I couldn't come up with a thing.

[wisconsin]

i hate to say it, but racing (as we've known it) is dying a slow death and there isn't an entity that exists, nor wants to exist, that can save it. When the slots rug gets pulled, the scene gets blown up

After the slots rug is pulled, the only way it can survive long term is to have 4 t-bred ( or fewer) meets going at the same, nationally. Maybe 2 qh meets going.

Winter (dec-feb)
GP
TAM (Dec) OP (Jan, Feb)
SA
GG
(FG, DeD)

Spring (mar-may)
NYRA
HAW
KEE (Apr), CD (May)
TAM (or Calder)
(LaD, EVD)

Summer (june- aug)
NYRA
AP
CD (June) (ElP July- Aug)
SA (June, July) DMR (Aug)
(EVD)

Fall (sept- nov)
NYRA
AP (Sept) KEE (Oct) CD (Nov)
Calder
SA (Sept, Oct), GG(Nov)
(Lad, DeD)

PA, MD, TX, AZ etc would either be out of the t-bred live racing picture, sadly enuff...or, hold 1-2 week meets with lesser talented runners

Honestly, this is not the problem. First of all, Pennsylvania could have a monster circuit, if they would just come together. Delaware could run when Philly is closed. Monmouth would run when Delaware is shut down. Think about the racing that could be but will never be.

Ohio is messed up, we'll see what happens there. Thistledown and the new track in Youngstown as well as Mountaineer should never be open when Presque Isle is running (and the rest of PA should shut down during that time).

Turfway fills a winter void in the area, and those horses need a place to run. Ellis has a small meet already. Indiana does not seem to have any trouble at all fillings it's races. Iowa and Nebraska are struggling for horses.

Tampa and GP co-exist with little trouble.

Just whitewashing away a bunch of tracks is not the answer. I can assure you that handicapping a limited number of tracks with full fields consisting only of competitive runners would prove very difficult.

[Cholly]

Restructure purses of stakes to deemphasize 3YO racing and shift primary emphasis to 4-5YO (dare I say “and 6yo”?) handicap division. Other sports and entertainment industries invest to create stars because they bring residual promotional value. Horse racing invests millions in the preps/triple crown to create marquee names who promptly disappear.

[PaceAdvantage]

Restructure purses of stakes to deemphasize 3YO racing and shift primary emphasis to 4-5YO (dare I say “and 6yo”?) handicap division. Other sports and entertainment industries invest to create stars because they bring residual promotional value. Horse racing invests millions in the preps/triple crown to create marquee names who promptly disappear.The name of the game is betting $$. That's it...bottom line.

While emphasizing longevity in terms of racing careers is a worthy goal, it's not something that is going to severely impact betting handle one way or the other...

Inspiring CONFIDENCE in a FAIR PRODUCT, competitive races and full fields are what spur people to wager...

[Hambletonian]

what would the circuits be without slot subsidies..or say a 50% reduction in slot subsidies.

[Cholly]

The name of the game is betting $$. That's it...bottom line.

While emphasizing longevity in terms of racing careers is a worthy goal, it's not something that is going to severely impact betting handle one way or the other...

Inspiring CONFIDENCE in a FAIR PRODUCT, competitive races and full fields are what spur people to wager...

I won’t chase your well-stated and succinct notation of the importance of those you listed. But I don’t believe any successful business model for horse racing dismisses the importance of public awareness & media coverage; and those facets require marquee names with repeat imprints upon the public.

Even if 2012 produced the long anticipated Triple Crown winner...if he were retired following The Belmont (and you know he would be), there would be no noticeable residual publicity benefit for racing. Stakes purses as currently formatted result in breeders delivering what the market demands: precocious colts genetically programmed to flame out in June of their 3YO season.

[PaceAdvantage]

I won’t chase your well-stated argument of the importance of the things you listed. But I don’t believe any successful business model for horse racing dismisses the importance of public awareness & media coverage; and those facets require marquee names with repeat imprints upon the public.

Even if 2012 produced the long anticipated Triple Crown winner, if he were retired following The Belmont (and you know he would be), there would be no noticeable residual publicity benefit for racing. Stakes purses as currently formatted result in breeders delivering what the market demands: precocious colts who are genetically programmed to flame out in June of their 3YO season.I don't necessarily agree that a TC winner would be retired after the Belmont. It all depends on the connections.

Zenyatta spurred more public awareness and media coverage than we've seen any horse do in quite some time....hell, she still has plenty of fans who pay attention to her every move...even in retirement.

Has the industry as a whole benefited from Zenyatta? Has handle gone up since she captured the attention of the nation? She was even profiled on 60 Minutes...

I have read that handle has increased lately...so maybe the "Zenyatta Effect" is just starting to show itself...who knows?

But all I see now are hit pieces in the NY Times and HBO's Luck being shut down because two horses died over two years of filming (yes, they started production in 2010...and yes, only TWO horses died as a direct result of filmed racing scenes)...doesn't sound to me like Zenyatta had much of a positive effect at all...you'd think ratings on Luck would have been much higher if Zenyatta had had a big impact on the public.

So I maintain that marquee names and public awareness are severely overrated when it comes to improving the health of the sport.