The Time for Indiana Horsemen to Act Is Now

[SwankToliverA]

Very well said Grandstand.

Tom- I understand why you'd like to get a deal made that would benefit harness racing and the horsemen.
My question is, what have either entity done to promote harness racing and bring in new fans consistently? Because without retaining current bettors and simultaneously bringing in new bettors, it will keep spiraling downward.

[Grandstand Handicapper]

Whenever horsemen had an opportunity to "negotiate" the eventual deal, first, they consistently were outmanned, outgunned, out-maneuvered, and everything else. They were foolish. They never got the best of the best to represent them. Foolish decision. When you walk into a room to do business and negotiate a deal, look around the room and find the sucker. If you can't find them, then guess what? It's YOU! You're the sucker! Second, when they ended up getting the money from the "bad deal" they made, they were foolish. They blew it. Foolish. See the pattern? Foolish.

[simplify]

"Why? Because without horse racing, there would have been no legal gambling in Indiana in the first place"


It's quotes like these that make you wonder how far up their assess these guys have their heads. Entitled welfare cheats.

[getreal]

Looking at the numbers, it does look like Indiana may be the only Harness Track who's handle is actually up. I don't watch
Hoosier but by the numbers the place looks promising.

[John Moody]

no more welfare , if the tracks were doing well and the casinos were not , why should the tracks give them money? WISE UP !

[dougie]

I'm a harness racing fan for over 50 years. A former owner too! I know many in this group would love to see what they call "welfare supported" and "corrupt" harness racing finally end it's existence. I for one, would hate to see it. I hope that the Indiana horseman work out a fair deal with the casinos.

[The Exporter]

I would believe after 20+ years of operation, there is enough data to support facts. not ideas.
 Let's face facts, harness racing has only only flourished with live attendance and on track wagering. Both that have changed with the times. Technology is what advanced the product and technology is what has made the product close to obsolete.
 I don't care how much you spend on every form of advertising and marketing, you will never out seel, technology. Even the people who do come to the races beton their phone into pools that more favor them than the track.
The notion that was floated was with big purses come big horses and fast times. Everyone will want to come to the track to see these races.
 Well , nobody gives a shit about the $10K claiming pacer that just won in 1:49
 I don't know what the answer is or if there is an answer to the low attendance and poor live handle. But, what I do know is, it is not morse of the same thing.
 

[wizardofoz]

What you’re really saying is that nobody wants to bet on harness racing. I’m sure Indiana is no different from other states where the handle is far less than the purse money being paid out. So now you want to go ask for a handout?

If harness racing can’t sustain itself, why should it be propped up with subsidies? Calling it a “fair share” from another industry is like asking for EBT cards to buy grain for your horses. It’s a joke when the purses are inflated but the betting numbers are embarrassing.

Monticello is an exception to this!

[goblue]

I would believe after 20+ years of operation, there is enough data to support facts. not ideas.
 Let's face facts, harness racing has only only flourished with live attendance and on track wagering. Both that have changed with the times. Technology is what advanced the product and technology is what has made the product close to obsolete.
 I don't care how much you spend on every form of advertising and marketing, you will never out seel, technology. Even the people who do come to the races beton their phone into pools that more favor them than the track.
The notion that was floated was with big purses come big horses and fast times. Everyone will want to come to the track to see these races.
 Well , nobody gives a shit about the $10K claiming pacer that just won in 1:49
 I don't know what the answer is or if there is an answer to the low attendance and poor live handle. But, what I do know is, it is not morse of the same thing.

Good point. It is remarkable how few pacers are fast enough to go sub150. And you can buy one at Hoosier on any given weekend for $20-30k.

Then you go to yearling sales and every horse goes for that price or more.

It's a market bound to collapse

[Grandstand Handicapper]

Harness racing will never be what it once was, like it used to be, etc. That doesn't mean it will be better, worse, more/less successful.....it will be different. It has to be. For countless reasons, many of which The Exporter referenced. The people who run racetracks do not understand racing, at least not today. They are too busy trying to "market" and "advertise" and get people to the track. No, you are not going to succeed in that and overcome technology. That is why new racetracks-----like Gulfstream and the Meadowlands-----are built for 10,000 people and not 40,000. Simple business.

Ontrack handle and attendance is a thing of the past. It's done. Over. All-in handle is the model now. Yes, attendance will still be a line item, but the #'s will be a fraction of what they used to be, and like it or not, people will come to the "facility" for other forms of entertainment, activities, and yes, gambling/wagering, as well. Yes, absolutely, cheating, drugs, CAW's, and more are all an issue. They must all be addressed. But all-in handle, large, competitive fields, big pools to bet into (for everyone betting, yes, from home or other locations), and strong purses (for owners), can and will resolve many of these issues-----if track owners/management take their head out of their ass and start to make change. Fast times, even world records, don't create fans. That's an old and fallacious belief system. No, as The Exporter said, it is not more of the same thing.