Is harness racing thriving?

[Pacer 2]

Despite some negative Nancy's this sport is thriving! Crowds at the Fryberg Fair and the Little Brown Jug were huge as well and prices for yearlings and purse earnings are very high!   

[Junebug990]

I say it is on the downside. The fair circut is a nice outlet but it does not produce any interest outside of where the event is taking place. I don't think people have on the bucket list about going to see fair racing. If you ask people in the street do they know what the Little Brown Jug or Hambo is compared to the Kentucky Derby how many people will know that they are Harness events. I have been a Harness racing fan my whole life but I don't have the interest in the game like I used to. The reason being I get tired of hearing about all the negative Publicity. Here are the stats so far this year. It is trending down. ECONOMIC INDICATORS ON U.S. RACES
October 4, 2025: $3,604,186
2025   2024   % Change
Total Wagered   $1,060,838,891   $1,158,659,977   -8.44%
Per Race avg.   $40,927   $43,446   -5.80%
Per Betting Interest   $5,309   $5,589   -5.01%
Purses   $382,327,833   $378,228,570   +1.08%
Race Days   2458   2494   -1.44%

[Pacer 2]

You seem to be referring to betting. I'm referring to horse prices and purses for horsemen and owners. Its exploding.

[Kenny]

Despite some negative Nancy's this sport is thriving! Crowds at the Fryberg Fair and the Little Brown Jug were huge as well and prices for yearlings and purse earnings are very high!   

What are you smoking. The Jug crown was down again

[Mazola]

You seem to be referring to betting. I'm referring to horse prices and purses for horsemen and owners. Its exploding.

Do you think racing exists to provide horsemen with a living?

[Kenny]

You seem to be referring to betting. I'm referring to horse prices and purses for horsemen and owners. Its exploding.

All handouts. Remove the handouts and the sport is already dead.

[Pacer 2]

What are you smoking. The Jug crown was down again

     The attendance was reported as much higher.....

[Pacer 2]

All handouts. Remove the handouts and the sport is already dead.

   Who cares where the money comes from as long as the horsemen and owners get it??   

[Racetime]

I'm guessing you never went to the Jug when there were 40,000 plus fans....maybe 10,000 this year ?  Harness Racing is only one vote away from losing the blood money in most states.

[Kirby's Ace]

I'm guessing you never went to the Jug when there were 40,000 plus fans....maybe 10,000 this year ?  Harness Racing is only one vote away from losing the blood money in most states.

To be fair when the jug had 40K plus in attendance there was no simulcasting.

To watch it you had to be there.

[Kenny]

   Who cares where the money comes from as long as the horsemen and owners get it??

Do you want to bet you livelihood on the whim of government? If the industry cannot support itself, eventually it will cease to exist.

[Kenny]

To be fair when the jug had 40K plus in attendance there was no simulcasting.

To watch it you had to be there.

There were 42, 000 people there last year and probably close to the same this year. Before covid it was over 50,000.

[Racetime]

No way in Hell was there 40,000 people at the Jug this year or last year...lol

[Racetime]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  Back in the early 70s when OTB was introduced in NY Mr Haughton went to Albany and had a chance to speak and told them if people didn't have to go to the track to bet there would be a day when there would be no fans at the track. He seems to have been right. On track betting pays back over 10% to the track while online and simulcast pays about 2%.

[dougie]

Fryeburg is packed daily and you can't get a seat in the grandstand unless you get there an hour before first post.