Hard to believe new money doesn't go into harness racing. And will always be a distant 2nd to the T-breds.
Distant 2nd is a very good way of putting it.
The hard to believe part is more of a personal opinion, but let's explore...
The major networks don't line up to bring harness racing to their audience, because their audience represents a very small single digit fraction of those that find harness racing entertaining.
The Hambletonian is the exception and that'll be on Fox Sports (FS1 or FS2), but that's subscription cable i.e. not a free channel.
Also, if harness racing was to make a resurgence in popularity it would be day racing, because the prime time / night competition is a tough task to beat for ratings.
I always thought a big walkout, attempt to cleanse it, and bring it back with a new found integrity...would boost awareness for everyone and resurge the gambling to self sustain it.
Worth a shot, but take the welfare money and run, an entire sport acting incredulously of its reality happens before our eyes....better than on the extinction list, which some would argue with you that's where it might end up.
