Pushing the throttle

Quote from NiekH on April 1, 2026, 5:23 PM

The sport needs to adapt and change with the times. Through my ownership I have watched many many races in North America now. And some tracks are horrendous to watch. Feels like I am back watching races on TV in the 90's. Looking at you Yonkers Raceway.... I was at Northfield Park last year watching Winter Soldier win a race for me. There was almost nobody at the track. Now with the internet there do not need to be people at the track for money to flow in, but its still not a great sign. This sport needs spectators, that is what makes big races such a special atmosphere. 

But can it be done differently? For sure it can! As usual I'll take France as an example. By no means a perfect place for racing. But doing a lot of things right.
A problem I read often is that young people do not want to wait between races. Their attention span is not long enough any more. But you do need time to warm up horses. When I am watching The Meadows, between races I am staring at a screen with some odds on them, nothing more. Its a awful product to watch. 

When I am watching Vincennes in Paris, France there is a broadcast between the races. Pundits discuss the last race, analyse the upcoming race. They show you the warm ups of the horses participating, they have interviews with trainers and rivers (usually taped in advance). That is all good for the watching eye at home, but what about on the track itself? 

Besides the broadcast, there is live music, events, food trucks. Anything they can think of to get families to the track. One of the biggest stakes in the winter, the Prix de France, had a large crowd attending. Mostly to take a picture with Miss France, but they were still there. The point I am trying to make, is that they host events during the races. They are also active on social media. 

It seems part of the reason Kentucky is thriving is the support of the state government there. That is also what you need, you need legislation to help the sport out. Once government realises the amount of people working in this agricultural sport and the recreation it can offer to the public they should work together to make sure the sport stays around. 

All in all, there needs to be more than just a casino to keep people coming. 

Quote from Bgtolex25 on April 2, 2026, 6:49 AM

Concur 100%.  I heard AMac say it best (and I am paraphrasing and perhaps inserting my bias unintentionally), but each track, jurisdiction, trainer, owner, etc. can do something.  A whole lot of little things can add up, because the above entities will copy success and generate momentum.  TheStable could do more to promote more ownership attendance even though they would get an A+ on AMac’s grading curve compared to the rest of the industry.  They are Good, but not Great.  There is an old business theory that I am being too lazy to give proper citation…. “Good” is the enemy of “Great” because the good performers are not overly incentivized to push for greatness.  

Kudos to Lonnie for this forum.  I get so much enjoyment from engaging with fellow enthusiasts and blessed to have made new friends.

As to Kentucky, horses are a huge part of the culture.  I am cautiously optimistic about Ohio and Indiana, and I like how the Ohio Harness Horseman Association promotes.  

Quote from Purple Aura on April 2, 2026, 2:38 PM

   Having worked at a racetrack nearly 50 years. Been a mutuel manager, ran money rooms and worked betting window for our biggest whales and the regulars I come at this from a different and sad perspective. The view from management is, drag the races, use as few people at the betting windows as possible and charge as much as you can from crappy food and drink. Gee, I wonder why they no longer race in the state of Michigan. 

  If I worked two shifts on a betting window, the day shift would be the regulars betting simulcasting. The crowd would change at night, older people for live racing. People bet as much as they ever have on racing they don't come to the track to do it. Thoroughbreds a little different. Saratoga, Keeneland amazing places. Lots of people. Twenty-thirty thousand or more.  The atmosphere is way different. Younger people, smiling, laughing, happy. Enjoying their food and drink ( although it is pricey). Like Norm said I appreciate this website and having met the people I have mostly thru the Stable. It's been fun. I wonder about the future and where's it going. The leadership ( USTA) seems to me and money first and don't really care about the game or the people. But then again that's my view on politics too, they don't care about us until they have too. I need a cloud to yell at. 🙂

Quote from Bgtolex25 on April 2, 2026, 3:52 PM

@purple-aura

Sadly, I share your sentiments.  I am just hoping beyond hope that we get new energy in one of these hot markets, so the rest of the industry will sit up and take notice.

Quote from MaywoodAl on April 3, 2026, 8:05 PM

March 20 -21 I was at Turfway in Florence KY. Weather was good and a nice crowd for Friday night racing.

Saturday afternoon was the Jeff Ruby Steaks ( yes, it is spelled that way). Weather was great and place was packed.

I headed over to Miami Valley for Sun/Mon. Weather was nice on Sunday. I am not the best at estimating crowds, perhaps 200 people. Just about 15 hanging outside. The rest inside. It is pretty much a banquet hall, not really a good view of the track, I assume most watch the TVs.

Now Monday, yikes. When the races started 14 people. Perhaps 50 at the peak.  Small concession stand with high prices. Track connected to casino, so food court inside. I could also get the free casino pop, instead of the $3 bottles. Beer was $6 or $7, WHY. 

Even though Kentucky is thriving, still small crowds for the regular racing. (based on my limited visits)

The Red Mile seems to have nice crowds on Sunday nights, food/drink promotions, food trucks. the other days crowds a bit sparse. 

I went to Corbin at the end of the meet last year.  The one day maybe 50 people, the other less than 10, it was rainy and cold.