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General Category => Harness Racing => Topic started by: Deadbeat on April 13, 2026, 12:51:43 PM

Title: What will people do for a living in 10 years when harness racing dies?
Post by: Deadbeat on April 13, 2026, 12:51:43 PM
Most B tracks and some A tracks will no longer exist a decade from now. Uncoupling from the casinos is inevitable. Taxpayers will be tired of subsidizing a dying sport/hobby. Harness tracks will have been turned into apartments or land for flea markets.
What is your game plan for future employment?
Title: Re: What will people do for a living in 10 years when harness racing dies?
Post by: mwins on April 13, 2026, 01:10:50 PM
It's funny how this same question was being asked 10years ago.8
Title: Re: What will people do for a living in 10 years when harness racing dies?
Post by: Ignorance Is Bliss on April 13, 2026, 01:13:59 PM
It's funny how this same question was being asked 10years ago.8

Now list all the tracks that existed 10 years ago which are no longer. Also lost each track that will die without being subsidized. Just sayin'. May as well add what the industry is doing to slow this trend.
Title: Re: What will people do for a living in 10 years when harness racing dies?
Post by: Jeenuss245 on April 13, 2026, 01:36:27 PM
If what you are saying is true….. than what’s going to happen to all these horses that are racing. Broodmares. Babies. Etc
Title: Re: What will people do for a living in 10 years when harness racing dies?
Post by: Parked on April 13, 2026, 01:42:12 PM
Just move to NYC.  If you don’t get murdered you can get free food from the grocery place. 
Title: Re: What will people do for a living in 10 years when harness racing dies?
Post by: Watchandtell on April 13, 2026, 01:43:12 PM
It was asked 10 years ago.

Since then:
Freehold is gone.
Pompano is gone.
Scarborough is gone.
Canadian track about to close.

It's happening but the spiral wasn't as fast as predicted. It will hit a cliff then be a step change smaller. Might stick around as a pure hobby. 

As for what will people do. Many have already left the game in various ways. The lower levels will work menial jobs. Trainers will transition.

The biggest change will be people just retire and aren't replaced.

 
It's funny how this same question was being asked 10years ago.8
Title: Re: What will people do for a living in 10 years when harness racing dies?
Post by: Ignorance Is Bliss on April 13, 2026, 01:47:10 PM
If what you are saying is true….. than what’s going to happen to all these horses that are racing. Broodmares. Babies. Etc

Same thing that happens now. But the supply of new babies will come to a crawl. You truly believe the industry cares for the majority after the fact now? Not even close. SRF is right down the road busting at the fences, the rest are either with the Amish or in a pen.

P.S. you left Northville and Cal Expo off your list.
Title: Re: What will people do for a living in 10 years when harness racing dies?
Post by: Yonkers1A on April 13, 2026, 02:01:12 PM
It was asked 10 years ago.

Since then:
Freehold is gone.
Pompano is gone.
Scarborough is gone.
Canadian track about to close.

It's happening but the spiral wasn't as fast as predicted. It will hit a cliff then be a step change smaller. Might stick around as a pure hobby. 

As for what will people do. Many have already left the game in various ways. The lower levels will work menial jobs. Trainers will transition.

The biggest change will be people just retire and aren't replaced.

I hope Pacer  doesnt see this, she says racing is booming

Title: Re: What will people do for a living in 10 years when harness racing dies?
Post by: dabucs99 on April 13, 2026, 02:36:43 PM
blackjack dealer
sanitation worker 
dishwasher
shoe shiner
 tmbz1
Title: Re: What will people do for a living in 10 years when harness racing dies?
Post by: Pacer 2 on April 13, 2026, 02:53:45 PM
What will people do for a living in 10 years when harness racing dies?    ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3


 I heard that question 30 years ago and racing is THRIVING!   ngc3 ngc3
Title: Re: What will people do for a living in 10 years when harness racing dies?
Post by: dougie on April 13, 2026, 02:56:19 PM
I think i'm all to blame.....
I visited Jersey every month to see family.....Freeho ld is history.
I lived in South Florida for 32 years............ .Pompano is history.
I now live in southern Maine............ .....Scarborough is history.

See a pattern? LOL!
Title: Re: What will people do for a living in 10 years when harness racing dies?
Post by: Trigger on April 13, 2026, 02:58:32 PM
Wherever the scumbags go they'll likely be running scams once they become familiar in their new whatever...farm, cow boy/girl, rodeo, some other equine activity.  Walmart, home of the shitbird  ngc3

Maybe veterinary, that's nice!

That single gunshot to the dome with the gun still in his hand, that'll be Pussy 2 here...thriving someplace! ngc3
Title: Re: What will people do for a living in 10 years when harness racing dies?
Post by: rainman2 on April 13, 2026, 03:53:40 PM
Most B tracks and some A tracks will no longer exist a decade from now. Uncoupling from the casinos is inevitable. Taxpayers will be tired of subsidizing a dying sport/hobby. Harness tracks will have been turned into apartments or land for flea markets.
What is your game plan for future employment?

What are considered ‘A’ and ‘B’ tracks today??

Look at the average age of individuals in the business today in any capacity?

Many of these people might be dead and buried 10 years from now if not out of the business prior.
Title: Re: What will people do for a living in 10 years when harness racing dies?
Post by: rainman2 on April 13, 2026, 03:56:12 PM
blackjack dealer
sanitation worker 
dishwasher
shoe shiner
 tmbz1

You still need connections for the blackjack dealer and the application that has to be filled out could take a while to complete. If you’ve been arrested/convicted, could be more difficult to get this job!!
Title: Re: What will people do for a living in 10 years when harness racing dies?
Post by: sledge hammer on April 13, 2026, 04:07:27 PM
Fraser Downs is also done.

Title: Re: What will people do for a living in 10 years when harness racing dies?
Post by: Trigger on April 13, 2026, 04:14:13 PM
What are considered ‘A’ and ‘B’ tracks today??

Look at the average age of individuals in the business today in any capacity?

Many of these people might be dead and buried 10 years from now if not out of the business prior.

"A" Mohawk and the BigM.  They take in millions in handle a card, don't offer close to that average purses, including their operating expenses it pushes it .  They are as close to right side up if not already.

"B", everyone else, upside down.
Title: Re: What will people do for a living in 10 years when harness racing dies?
Post by: Checked Up on April 13, 2026, 06:24:38 PM
My guess is by then is working from home in a Internet related commerce.
Title: Re: What will people do for a living in 10 years when harness racing dies?
Post by: Racetime on April 13, 2026, 06:54:20 PM
There is a difference between surviving and thriving and harness racing is surviving thanks to the blood money from the casinos.
Title: Re: What will people do for a living in 10 years when harness racing dies?
Post by: rainman2 on April 13, 2026, 06:58:59 PM
There is a difference between surviving and thriving and harness racing is surviving thanks to the blood money from the casinos.

I own a piece of 3 horses.

Not sure if I’m surviving or thriving, but I’m still enjoying the ride.
Title: Re: What will people do for a living in 10 years when harness racing dies?
Post by: dougie on April 13, 2026, 07:06:19 PM
I own a piece of 3 horses.

Not sure if I’m surviving or thriving, but I’m still enjoying the ride.
Your horses always seem to make enough to cover the bills, so you are way ahead of the curve here. Most folks who "take a shot" like myself have fun, but lose money.
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