On Saturday night at the Meadowlands, in the 3rd race, the #8 horse has a symbol next to his name that many handicappers rarely see these days, that of the upward line with TWO crossmarks (not one as they use for a hoppled trotter), which is used to denote a free-legged (or UN-hoppled pacer.) Straight Up Cool raced at ML on 1/27 and then qualified on 1/31 at Dover free-legged and is now in to go Saturday to race free-legged. However, unlike when a horse is first-time Lasix, there is NO note at the top of the race page (where the conditions are) to indicate a CHANGE (albeit the symbol is next to the horse.) It is MY OPINION that this is INSUFFICIENT notification for the average bettor, as it could represent a major change (as would addition of Lasix or adding or deleting hopples on a trotter!!). Boo to the Meadowlands and trackmaster for this inadequate program page. Not too often seen at ML or YR these days!! On opening night at the Meadowlands (9/1/1976) in the very first race there were THREE free-legged pacers... and in the second race there were THREE free-legged pacers..
You are right, of course.
The explanation is simple. Back when the sport was self-sustainable - pre-racinos, pre-welfare like subsidies, etc..., there were 4 stake holders in the sport
1. Tracks
2. States
3. Horsemen
4. Gamblers/fans
Handle drove EVERYTHING. Attendance mattered. Now it does not. In fact, on-track attendance/handle is considered a detriment to tracks/States/horsemen.
So, the North America racing sport and industry is being consumed from within as the 3 remaining interests only care about themselves. Handle in N.A. has declined each of the last 4 years.
Globally, horse racing handle is on a healthy track. Europe is up; Asia/Australia is up and Latin America is up.
Globally, real incomes are higher, -->> Global Disposable incomes are higher -->> Global Horse Racing handle is higher.
Non-North America racing is still handle driven, so in those places attendance/fans/gamblers matter.
Don't believe me? Ask yourself what is the on track experience on a Tuesday like at Yonkers? Now go watch a Tuesday card at Vincennes, in Paris, where they're always 2-3 deeep at the rail on any day.
North America is the only market in decline. The world's horse racing handle is projected to grow 6% during the next decade despite the NA decline.
Information, such as you describe, should be readily available to bettors. More than that, data like this should be BOUNTIFUL, readily available and free.
But it's not. Of course it's not.
