Prescription for Maine Harness Racing Potential Success

[old school]

A. We need increased legislation and advocacy for a casino in York/Cumberland County with sports betting. Without this, there isn’t any viable way sport will survive well. More owners, trainers and drivers will have to leave our state to survive unless it’s a hobby.
B. Build a multi purpose complex in Southern Maine with easy access to tourists and highway. Combine harness racing with a concert venue and/or conference center.
C. Clean the game up. Make sure each and every owner, trainer and driver knows what is at stake given any misconduct. This misconduct breeds zero good for anybody in the long run. Have each horseman sign off on a code of conduct and if they don’t abide by it, it is on them. There is a much bigger picture here and it’s called survival for the Sport of Kings.
D. PETA and other animal rights groups are watching. We shouldn’t fault them. We all should believe horse welfare and just treatment is appropriate.
E. Have severe and harsh penalties for excessive whipping or any cheating including substantial fines, suspensions and banishment from sport. Always allow due process but the rules should be consistent for all.
F. Shipping is killing horse ownership. Assess and identify a plan for further training facilities or barns located near epicenter of racing.
G. Market the sport. Right now thinking outside of the box is needed to attract fans.
H. Market horse ownership but give owners a genuine reason for wanting to own and race in Maine. As a prior owner and on the horizon of purchasing more standard reds, I need reasons to race here.
I. Abolish the Maine State Racing Commission. I do agree having a fair, just and knowledgeable Commissioner who makes final decisions is an interesting concept. I’ve seen too many inconsistencies with our commission with no fault to anybody.
J. We need more race dates any way we can. Right now there is no way a true Maine horseman can survive and thrive racing solely in Maine.
K. Identify a way so Maine horseman can enter the retirement system. Maine horsemen do and continue to support Maine agriculture and business to the tune of millions of dollars.
L. Bring back an increase in claiming races with a plan that correlates with building horse ownership.
M. Create a committee that takes a HARD look at what is occurring in Kentucky, Ohio, and Minnesota to name a few places where there is some real life to the game.
N. Please invest in Bangor and Cumberland facilities. I literally went to Cumberland last fall to watch some races and you could NOT get any food in the grandstand, it was freezing and not a place I would ever return to. Fox up Bangor’s barns and concessions.
O. Do NOT lead horsemen and the public on about things like a major track in Saco until facts are facts.
P. Every elected official or judge should be carefully selected with one purpose. To all work together for the same cause. Please include the horseman in the decision making.
Q.Last…..Good luck to all Maine horseman. I know things have not been easy and several of you race at Plainridge out of necessity. I genuinely want harness racing to survive here. I miss the crowds, night racing, extended overcoat meets, and true camaraderie that existed in the 70s and 80s. Every man/woman for themselves is the wrong approach. Remember, we are in different times when expendable income can be directed towards many things. We want it directed at the industry here.

[Seamus11]

There’s no question your post is well thought out.  Great ideas and very well written.  However there are (2) huge issues why this and harness racing in Maine will never be viable again.
First... to build what you’re talking about in that part of that state, there are 3 Casinos within an hour and a half of there.  Oxford, Seabrook (although kind of an odd casino) and Encore.  It’s just a known truth, people like betting in casinos more than on horses.  And secondly... you’re talking about an entire state that has barely over a million people in it.  The numbers just don’t work.

You guys had a good long run up there.... time to let it go...

[bass park]

Later this year augusta will coming after the casino money that goes to the harness industry and this time they may have the votes to take it.

[Tuftrips]

Correct about the Maine Racing Commission should be abolished.
Several years ago, at the Fryeburg Fair, I had a huge brush with a Commission member that I'll never forget.
In one of the Maine Sire Stake races, of course there was a big 1 to 9 favorite. When they had entries, I made a substantial wager on the entry as I hated the 1 to 9 shot. The wager was win and place,as I thought they could finish first and second.  So, they do finish first and second and I thought that I would have a good little score.  Well, the chalk finished 3rd, and some other rag finished 4th.
They post obviously the 1, (part of the entry) and on the tote board they post the chalk 2nd, and the rag 3rd.  As soon as I saw that, of course before it went Official, I ran down to the Commission member and stated that the posting was incorrect.  As everyone knows, the posting should have been 1, !A, chalk 3rd, and the rag 4th!  I'm going toe to toe, cheek to cheek, and getting in the Commission Member's face because I KNOW THAT I WAS RIGHT!  This went on for a ridiculous amount of time as I'm trying to get my point accross....Now, after the douchebag hears my rant, he states to me, and for everyone else to hear, "sir this is Maine, and I could give a rat's ass what goes on in every other state..."  That was my final time to ever set foot in Maine to go to a racetrack!  Maine is a lovely state and a wonderful place to vacation, which I still do.  But I'll be Goddamned if I ever make a wager there...

[Wawajones]

A new track is not going to happen.  Horsemen got screwed by Bahre with Oxford casino not racing and paying way less into purse account.  They got their southern Maine casino, then screwed the horsemen.  That was the end for any hope of improvements.  Now Churchill Downs will never allow a competing casino.  There is just not enough population to support another,  Racing will d9 well to maintain with owners with better stock having to race some in Plainridge.  Winter racing not possible.

[Locked in with pace]

who is going to come forward and say that the new track is not a reality? And how long will Cumberland be there?