Horse Racing: Spectator Sport or Wagering Game? - Horse Racing Forum - PaceAdvantage.Com

TEJAS KIDD · 11-19-2007, 07:35 PM

I want to know what you think.
Is HORSE RACING a:

a. Spectator sport
b. Wagering game

Please pick one side.
If you work in the horse racing industry, please state your occupation.

bane · 11-19-2007, 07:55 PM

For me, and I am one of the few, It's a spectator sport. I bet here nand there but for me I get more into the actual race then the odds behind it.

I was the personal groom for Devil His Due, Cryptoclearnce, Kela, Down The Aisle, The Deputy (ire), Pikepass and Evil Minister.

46zilzal · 11-19-2007, 07:56 PM

Always had a soft spot for Teinowitz's Crypto. Often placed in races too short for him.

Great ride in the Belmont by Laffit.

TEJAS KIDD · 11-19-2007, 08:06 PM

My guess is that a majority of the people who have worked at the racetrack will say "Spectator Sport"

Snow Chief · 11-19-2007, 08:25 PM

It's both. I know that you said pick a side, but the sport/game needs to push both angles. It is one of racing's greatest attributes.

PS-did they do a piece on you (Bane) for the 1987 Ky. Derby?

alysheba88 · 11-19-2007, 09:58 PM

What is the NFL then?

boomman · 11-20-2007, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alysheba88

What is the NFL then?

Definitely a wagering game! If anyone has any doubts, teams are fined heavily by the NFL (because even though they won't publicly admit it, they KNOW it's a wagering game) if their weekly injury reports are not accurate. These of course, are used by gamblers to help handicap the games............

Boomer

Overlay · 11-20-2007, 04:39 AM

It pains me to say it (because I find that the sport/history side of the game is great to watch and follow), but take away the legal wagering aspect, and I think you'd see general public interest in horse racing plummet.

alysheba88 · 11-20-2007, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overlay

It pains me to say it (because I find that the sport/history side of the game is great to watch and follow), but take away the legal wagering aspect, and I think you'd see general public interest in horse racing plummet.

Same with the NFL

Bobzilla · 11-20-2007, 08:42 AM

I agree with Overlay.

I'm also wondering of there should be a third option, A Breeders' game.

I was first attracted to the sport/game while a kid back in the golden era of the 70s. At the time a good racehorse, even a promising stallion prospect, could be expected to race a few seasons and if he were really good maybe become a household name. These days, when a horse breaks his maiden after one race with a Beyer figure in the 90s, it almost seems his future stud fee has already been determined, never mind what he might do during a sophmore campaign. They used to breed to race, then they raced to breed, now they breed to breed with the actual racing phase of a horse's life being a temporary nuisance to quickly and unreasonably bloat a reputation, establish a stud fee as quickly as possible, and get his chestnut butt off the track and into the breeding sheds of both the Earth's hemispheres as quickly as possible. It seems the modern day owner has not been drawn to horse ownweship for sporting reasons, as was the case during the golden years.

Although I think there are some, like myself, who appreciate horse racing as both a sport rich with pagaentry, tradition and history, while at the same time serving as a serious gaming opportunity, I fully admit that without the latter I truly doubt there would really be a viable market in North America for the racing product. A sad sign of the times I suppose.

DaylightDies · 11-20-2007, 09:07 AM

For me, personally, it's a spectator sport with benefits. I might bet on the races, but I truly enjoy watching them more than anything.

For example, yesterday I watched about four races from the Mountaineer card and three from Thistledown. I always bet Mountaineer, just wasn't in the mood yesterday.

I think as a whole, more people are attracted to the gambling aspect.

bane · 11-20-2007, 09:26 AM

Nah, that was his groom at the Track and it was while at the Derby, so they showed it during the Preakness. I was lucky for some reason prior to working at Margaux (I was at 19) I had most of Crypto's 3 year old campaign and some of his 4 year old.

Crypto is still my favorite out of the entire barn.

DJofSD · 11-20-2007, 09:38 AM

Is this another trick riddle?

Semipro · 11-20-2007, 11:07 AM

Wagering sport not one of the original options but my real postion.

john del riccio · 11-20-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boomman

Definitely a wagering game! If anyone has any doubts, teams are fined heavily by the NFL (because even though they won't publicly admit it, they KNOW it's a wagering game) if their weekly injury reports are not accurate. These of course, are used by gamblers to help handicap the games............

Boomer

Imagine if stables had to publish injury reports, the claiming game woul dbe flipped on its head, now thats a riot !

John