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Nancy Takter's Open Letter to the Industry

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Great letter from Nancy Takter. Probably nothing will change, but she put forth the effort. 

https://harnessracingupdate.com/2026/08/16/an-open-letter-to-the-harness-racing-industry-we-need-to-put-the-fun-back-into-racing/

Pot. Kettle. Black.

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Lonnie

She, and many others of her stature, will need to do much more than post a letter over a weekend bottle of wine.  

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LonniePurple Aura

She posted this letter on Facebook.  I replied as follows:

She certainly got a lot of people talking.  As much as I like the commissioner idea, the more realistic hope is for a singular jurisdiction to create a program that grows the sport for all their regional participants (gamblers, fans, owners and down the line).  Then, the others can try to emulate and tinker based on their strengths.  The money will flow to those who do it best.  Those that can’t innovate should close up shop.

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Lonnie
Quote from Bgtolex25 on August 17, 2026, 7:31 AM

She certainly got a lot of people talking.  As much as I like the commissioner idea, the more realistic hope is for a singular jurisdiction to create a program that grows the sport for all their regional participants (gamblers, fans, owners and down the line).  Then, the others can try to emulate and tinker based on their strengths.  The money will flow to those who do it best.  Those that can’t innovate should close up shop.

HEY!  I need the job! 😉

Bearcookie56 has reacted to this post.
Bearcookie56

Not a National Commissioner, but Northfield is looking for a Starting Gate Driver. Shocked only $16.75 an hour.

https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/4311461

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@lonnie I suspect you’d be too nice of a guy to do that thankless job! Although you’d be a good one!

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Lonnie
Quote from Bearcookie56 on August 17, 2026, 3:54 PM

@lonnie I suspect you’d be too nice of a guy to do that thankless job! Although you’d be a good one!

Livelihoods are at stake. 

Our great sport is falling into the great abyss. 

Lives are being destroyed because the wheels on slot machines are determining their fate and fortunes. Not hard work. 

Must get rid of the cheaters for the destroy the beast from within. 

Testing must become universal and the right to out of competition testing is but one step. 

The grassroots people need their voices heard and addressed. 

Trackmaster condition races need to be abolished. 

We need better camera people because the way the video is so jumpy it makes me sick to my stomach trying to watch the races. 

Tracks need to become destination spots. We need people in the vicinity of racetracks to become aware of the races to more people to get some to  trickle in. 

Every track should have an area for kids to play and locate those spots where they can't help but see the horses and watch the races. 

Let kids try to pick the winners and reward them with free ice cream, stuffed animals, that the can upgrade by winning more races. The more winners they pick, the larger the stuffed animals become. 

Change the payout schedule to make the races more competitive. 

60% to the winner. 20% for second. 8% for third. Then reduce the percentage down one point for every place back so every horse gets something, even 1% is better than walking away empty handed. If there aren't enough entrants to pay off the entire purse, whatever is left goes to the winner. 

I could go on. 

The first letter to the editor is very good. Anthony sure is doing his part. https://harnessracingupdate.com/2026/08/23/industry-needs-to-act-on-nancy-takters-open-letter/

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