Rare but spot on...HRU bares its fangs

[Mohawk mac]

I agree with virtually all of this.  https://harnessracingupdate.com/2023/11/26/only-a-dope-would-think-harness-racing-doesnt-need-serious-change/

[theokodjak26]

It was a spot on article by Mr. Briggs. As he asked why the industry hasn’t done very much in four years, I’d like to know why it took HRU so many years to publish the truth?

[LUCPARK]

Good points

But faraldo and Williams  turning up their noses

Nothin will get done.

Jeffrey can’t do it all

I applaud him

Harness is dying

Young people don’t want nothin to do with this sport

Time dragging and cheating

Has killed their interests

Yonkers.  Chester. Meadows and especially pocono
UNWATCHABLE AND UNBETABLE

[Mailbox Money]

I've noticed that the gang at HRU has been getting away from the lollipops and unicorns topics that have been their M.O. in the past! About time that some people over there started to sprout some balls! Anyone who is involved with racing to any degree could see that they have been trying to paint over the rust!

[Yonkers1A]

Spot on , Faraldough gets a lot of my blame. I haven’t owned horses in about 4 years, I haven’t bet on buggy races in 2023. I would have bet M on Saturday but Faraldough locks out M on NYRA

[mwins]

While all other sports are shortening the time of events, harness racing post drag aims to to the opposite and extend to 5 or 6 hours. Brilliant.

[Dingus]

HRU still not listing readers feedback except in rare instances.

[NatHillIV]

I agree 100% with the article and second LucPark's thoughts.

[bond]

I agree and love this article.
However-I strongly disagree about HISA--being the saving grace its purported to be for Racing.
The idea of HISA is sound--the application of it--is flawed--bigtime IMHO..
The regulators at HISA--need to be people that know a performance affecting drug--from one that is either a contaminant or a therapeutic non performance enhancing drug.
For eg--HISA-gave one small trainer with 0 positives in a 40 year career--- a lifetime ban for a contamination positive. Took his lifetime savings--to clear his name but he lost all of his horses..
PED like VIAGRA> EPO<MINOXIDIL< OXY have no place being in a horse--those trainers need to be banned IMHO.
Horses need medications to treat them and to heal and prevent diseases and injuries--just like human athlete counterparts.
Jeff Gural a HISA supporter--also--is not a Veterinarian-or an expert of medications or performance enhancers--but he means well--just is misinformed IMHO.
For example --the list from the indicted and FBI--has several trainers who used a therapeutic drug to help a bleeder.
Now Im not condoning its use--as it should not be used raceday-as its barred--HOWEVER--these horses were treated in the belief it would help them to prevent a problem--NOT to make the horse go beyond its Natural ability.
IMHO--this deserves a monitory fine only--increasing just like a drivers licence--one that is being undertaken at present.. It should NOT bar you from racing-which Gural and HISA seem to want to do.!

[Jackie Mo]

While all other sports are shortening the time of events, harness racing post drag aims to to the opposite and extend to 5 or 6 hours. Brilliant.

Agree--it took over 4.5 hours for Mohawk to run their card Saturday night

the 0 minutes till post time for 9 minutes is getting tiresome

the countdown clock is worthless at M1--horses not even close to the gate after the clock expires

[JL52]

Well, if you want a track that always hits post time, take a look at Charlottetown in Nova Scotia. The pools are minuscule and the takeout high, but they have shown that it can be done. The California flat tracks observe post time, and harness tracks only wish they could have that handle.

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

I agree and love this article.
However-I strongly disagree about HISA--being the saving grace its purported to be for Racing.
The idea of HISA is sound--the application of it--is flawed--bigtime IMHO..
The regulators at HISA--need to be people that know a performance affecting drug--from one that is either a contaminant or a therapeutic non performance enhancing drug.
For eg--HISA-gave one small trainer with 0 positives in a 40 year career--- a lifetime ban for a contamination positive. Took his lifetime savings--to clear his name but he lost all of his horses..
PED like VIAGRA> EPO<MINOXIDIL< OXY have no place being in a horse--those trainers need to be banned IMHO.
Horses need medications to treat them and to heal and prevent diseases and injuries--just like human athlete counterparts.
Jeff Gural a HISA supporter--also--is not a Veterinarian-or an expert of medications or performance enhancers--but he means well--just is misinformed IMHO.
For example --the list from the indicted and FBI--has several trainers who used a therapeutic drug to help a bleeder.
Now Im not condoning its use--as it should not be used raceday-as its barred--HOWEVER--these horses were treated in the belief it would help them to prevent a problem--NOT to make the horse go beyond its Natural ability.
IMHO--this deserves a monitory fine only--increasing just like a drivers licence--one that is being undertaken at present.. It should NOT bar you from racing-which Gural and HISA seem to want to do.!

Ethamsylate is not FDA approved for animals or in this case, horses. That is why it is illegal.

[Mohawk mac]

Granted, I'm a grumpy old man whose patience has worn thin after decades of watching, betting and owning horses.  But Saturday night's drag was beyond ridiculous.  True story...I watched the first Mohawk race on my computer at home because my local OTB had a NHC contest clogging up tables and parking in the afternoon.  I got there before the 3rd race.  Ordered and ate dinner, hung out with my buds, watched the big races from M1, and still got home in time to watch the finale from both Mohawk and M1.  If I had the attention span of a Millennial or Gen XYZer, I'd have been asleep long before Allywag beat his more heralded stablemate.

Agree--it took over 4.5 hours for Mohawk to run their card Saturday night

the 0 minutes till post time for 9 minutes is getting tiresome

the countdown clock is worthless at M1--horses not even close to the gate after the clock expires

[Mailbox Money]

The first track to garrentee post time means post time will without a doubt see an increase in handle imo. If they gate is not rolling at zero,then they should allow patrons a free soda or coffee! A horse that went back in the Paddock for equipment repair would nullify the freebie. NASCAR would have the same problem with attendance if they ran for 2 minutes and then they stopped for 25 minutes with nothing to entertain the fans!

[ferdinand the bull]

Do the state stewards ever employ any undercover officers to infiltrate the ped circles?