Off track scratches what can be done?

[westernmassbob]

Have tracks ever thought about incentivizing purses to keep horses from scratching when it’s an off track or turf to dirt change ? It seems like a ton of money is lost in take out when up to half the fields scratch when it rains. Hundreds of thousands are lost on an off track card day. Increase the purse on these poor weather days so that owners and trainers don’t scratch. I’m sure I’m being a bit naive as there is probably more to this but from a financial standpoint the track has nothing to lose because the more entries the more they make.

[sharkey11]

great idea sir. i think that they all have there own intrests in mind as if a track or racecino would care about custmers to them we are all a captive audince always have been always will be .but a very good wish indeed sir

[zico20]

Originally Posted by westernmassbob

Have tracks ever thought about incentivizing purses to keep horses from scratching when it’s an off track or turf to dirt change ? It seems like a ton of money is lost in take out when up to half the fields scratch when it rains. Hundreds of thousands are lost on an off track card day. Increase the purse on these poor weather days so that owners and trainers don’t scratch. I’m sure I’m being a bit naive as there is probably more to this but from a financial standpoint the track has nothing to lose because the more entries the more they make.

It doesn't matter what the purse is if the trainer thinks his horse is going to finish up the track they will still scratch.

[Dave Schwartz]

A lot of trainers scratch on off tracks to protect their horse.

It is a valid concern.

IMHO, while the scratches are inconvenient, the alternative is to force the horse to run.

Imagine the lawsuit demanding the track be responsible for forcing a horse to run in bad weather when the horse is badly injured.

[westernmassbob]

Originally Posted by Dave Schwartz

A lot of trainers scratch on off tracks to protect their horse.

It is a valid concern.

IMHO, while the scratches are inconvenient, the alternative is to force the horse to run.

Imagine the lawsuit demanding the track be responsible for forcing a horse to run in bad weather when the horse is badly injured.

Nobody said anything about forcing a horse to run. The point was to raise purses on off track racing days in hopes entrants would not scratch. I almost buy into scratching a horse due to safety concerns and bad weather however what’s that saying about the trainers who leave their horses in? A sloppy track is a sloppy track if things were that unsafe they would cancel the card. I have already talked to one trainer today about this idea I came up with. He said it would depend on the purse increase amount but it seems logical more horses would stay in. He also stated that he likes when half the field scratch because the purse stays the same with less competition.

[Dave Schwartz]

Originally Posted by westernmassbob

Nobody said anything about forcing a horse to run. The point was to raise purses on off track racing days in hopes entrants would not scratch. I almost buy into scratching a horse due to safety concerns and bad weather however what’s that saying about the trainers who leave their horses in? A sloppy track is a sloppy track if things were that unsafe they would cancel the card. I have already talked to one trainer today about this idea I came up with. He said it would depend on the purse increase amount but it seems logical more horses would stay in. He also stated that he likes when half the field scratch because the purse stays the same with less competition.

A valid trainer stat is if a trainer decides to leave a horse in on a very wet track.

IOW, "worth the risk."

[JustRalph]

Race tracks need roofs

[The_Turf_Monster]

I don’t know too many bettors that are interested in betting an off track

[MONEY]

Originally Posted by westernmassbob

I have already talked to one trainer today about this idea I came up with. He said it would depend on the purse increase amount but it seems logical more horses would stay in.

At some tracks purses are already stupid high, but

https://youtu.be/9yEa_9GRwgM

[Dave Schwartz]

Originally Posted by The_Turf_Monster

I don’t know too many bettors that are interested in betting an off track

I bet them.
With same success as fast.

[SG4]

Originally Posted by westernmassbob

Have tracks ever thought about incentivizing purses to keep horses from scratching when it’s an off track or turf to dirt change ? It seems like a ton of money is lost in take out when up to half the fields scratch when it rains. Hundreds of thousands are lost on an off track card day. Increase the purse on these poor weather days so that owners and trainers don’t scratch. I’m sure I’m being a bit naive as there is probably more to this but from a financial standpoint the track has nothing to lose because the more entries the more they make.

This has already been tried. Article below was from 5 years ago, would have to say the experiment was worthwhile, but a flop far as keeping fields together:


https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...the-turf-races

[Dave Schwartz]

Originally Posted by SG4

This has already been tried. Article below was from 5 years ago, would have to say the experiment was worthwhile, but a flop far as keeping fields together:


https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...the-turf-races

Thanks for that reminder.

[davew]

the ones that stay are incentivized for higher probability of getting some of the purse

[westernmassbob]

Originally Posted by SG4

This has already been tried. Article below was from 5 years ago, would have to say the experiment was worthwhile, but a flop far as keeping fields together:


https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...the-turf-races

Looks like the article was from 15 years ago not 5 which would explain me not remembering this. Thanks for the info. What made trying this a flop ? The article didn’t mention this being unsuccessful and the bonus carried over into the Saratoga meet that year.( I found another article ). No articles on whether it was successful or not. In any event at least someone tried that idea.

[Cholly]

Originally Posted by Dave Schwartz

I bet them.
With same success as fast.

Me too.
None.