Horse Racing is a dying sport because:

Whoson1st · Apr 20, 2008

In my opinion there are too many tracks. The sport is diluted and I'm talking thoroughbreds not the harness game. Agree or disagree?

It's the one game where i think LESS = Better.

TheRightSide · Apr 20, 2008

Real simple, the expansion of casino's everywhere is what is killing it. If the track doesn't have slots or video poker it will be tough.

gynecologist · Apr 20, 2008

Record handles and attendance at many race tracks..

Not dying at all.

VIEJODINOSAUR · Apr 20, 2008

I still remember during the 60's when Atlantic City Racetrack averaged of 25,000 a day...home of the original United Nations Handicap on one of the best grass courses in the country..a couple of years ago, Atlantic City Racetrack opened for one day only to keep their license....they expected around 2500 fans and got over 10,000....

royalfan · Apr 20, 2008

gynecologist said:
Record handles and attendance at many race tracks..

Not dying at all.

It is dying big time at many places, many more than there are record attendances at.

Railbird · Apr 20, 2008

rediculous hold/rake % and no race fans under 50, the sport is dying if not already dead. good riddence.

VIEJODINOSAUR · Apr 20, 2008

Railbird said:
rediculous hold/rake % and no race fans under 50, the sport is dying if not already dead. good riddence.

I guess you have never been to Santa Anita or Del Mar? Believe what you want Rail...if it weren't for Tennis, you would be absolutely clueless....

Whoson1st · Apr 20, 2008

Mybe if Walmart comes in--all will be saved-LOL!

Betallsports · Apr 20, 2008

Whoson1st said:
In my opinion there are too many tracks. The sport is diluted and I'm talking thoroughbreds not the harness game. Agree or disagree?

It's the one game where i think LESS = Better.

It's not that they have too many Tracks, like others said It's the Casino's and Online Betting !! ( not talking about Online Books )

OTB's Free-standing or Online. A ton of Tracks Offer Online betting
which is really getting out of hand.

I also think the problem is Not with the Flats, more Harness. Going Back to the late 60's or 70's and Early 80's There were a lot of people at the track. Now you have satellite, Cable or Right Online where you can Watch All the Races.
So Why go to the Track in person, Gas, Parking, Tolls,Food,Drink, program
( which you can download online )
Because of the above, All you need to do is Lay down on your Sofa in your Underwear, pop open a Cold one, Watch TV, have a Puff and Bet your Horses.

Just My 2cents

gynecologist · Apr 20, 2008

royalfan said:
It is dying big time at many places, many more than there are record attendances at.

The major tracks will be around forever.. Horse Racing lives on forever no doubt about it. Santa Anita does over 10 mil a day in handle.

Whoson1st · Apr 20, 2008

Racetracks don't promote THEIR game. They could offer so many different type of bets. But they think in the 1950's .

Whoson1st · Apr 20, 2008

Plus--like Vegas; No negative pools! It's a joke.

gynecologist · Apr 20, 2008

Whoson1st said:
Racetracks don't promote THEIR game. They could offer so many different type of bets. But they think in the 1950's .

I agree with that 100%

Promotion is horrible.. Tracks need to offer more free admissions, discounts on booze and food too. Among many other things.

lapdance · Apr 20, 2008

gynecologist said:
Record handles and attendance at many race tracks..

Not dying at all.

wrong, tracks in florida are hurting bad. gulfstream is at an all time low in attendence. the racing industry is hurting at most tracks.
all they care about is poker and slots. they could care less about the track.

VIEJODINOSAUR · Apr 20, 2008

Racetracks around the country do have promotions everyday, but they are lame...agree with Whosonfirst, need to find more creative ways to bet and encourage younger fans to attend..

Whoson1st · Apr 20, 2008

Imagine offering: OVER/Under on time of the race.
Odd/Even betting.
Odds against being in the Money.
Etc.

They don't want gamblers---they want you to slide your money under the admissions booth.

gynecologist · Apr 20, 2008

Horse Racing has so much competition now..

Lotto,Casinos,Other sporting events etc..

Railbird says it's dead LOL.. Idiot

BadCo · Apr 20, 2008

I use to hang out at the track daily back in the 80's.

Hung with the same bunch of guys and I was the kid.

Then came satillite wagering at your local fairgrounds which cut our group in half as we hung at the San Jose fair while others were still at Bay Meadows or their local fairgrounds.

Anyway the good ole days are gone,when it was just at the track betting the 9 race card seemed a lot simpler and fun.

Now even if you go to the track theres to many other ways to lose your ass.

G.MONEY · Apr 20, 2008

Guys....Do not look at on track handle and fans, look at the otb outlets..Years ago if you wanted to bet the ponies, you had to go to the track..Now you have OTB's, Many sites like Youbet and Twinspires were you can sit in your office or home and make bets...So I ask you why go to the track when you can have it all from the comforts of home and play almost any track in the US.

G.MONEY · Apr 20, 2008

Whoson1st said:
Imagine offering: OVER/Under on time of the race.
Odd/Even betting.
Odds against being in the Money.
Etc.

They don't want gamblers---they want you to slide your money under the admissions booth.

If I remember right last yr. I think CHurchill downs had a over under number on larger fields with 3 horses..or something like that...But guys who play the horses for the most part are not gimmick players other than Exacta's tri's etc