The Sky Has Fallen!
Quote from Lonnie on January 7, 2025, 10:30 AMThe end is
nearĀ here, with the closing of Freehold Raceway.Ā I think the days of attracting new fans to tracks have passed us by. I can name only a select few harness racing tracks that I would go to now (unless I had a horse racing), and I'm a seasoned fan. It's just a matter of time before fans pass on, and there will be nothing left of it. Sadness.Your thoughts?
The end is nearĀ here, with the closing of Freehold Raceway.Ā I think the days of attracting new fans to tracks have passed us by. I can name only a select few harness racing tracks that I would go to now (unless I had a horse racing), and I'm a seasoned fan. It's just a matter of time before fans pass on, and there will be nothing left of it. Sadness.
Your thoughts?
Quote from Bgtolex25 on January 7, 2025, 11:00 AMUghā¦since I am a āglass half emptyā guy by nature, I look for my friends to balance. Ā Put Carmelo on the line! Ā š.Ā
I would love to see a commissioner for the industry that cuts across all the jurisdictions. Ā While there is still energy at the grassroots levels in Canada, Ohio, and elsewhere, there is still a chance.
Ughā¦since I am a āglass half emptyā guy by nature, I look for my friends to balance. Ā Put Carmelo on the line! Ā š.Ā
I would love to see a commissioner for the industry that cuts across all the jurisdictions. Ā While there is still energy at the grassroots levels in Canada, Ohio, and elsewhere, there is still a chance.
Quote from SC Upstate on January 7, 2025, 11:28 AMI totally agree. Ā Grew up at Freehold. Ā Was there for the last night at The Pomp, thought that was sad. Ā Freehold is devastating. Just last night I read Hollywood Heyden's three part article on Freehold. Ā The Meadowlands won't last once Jeff Gural moves on or gives up. Ā Both those tracks use to race six days/nights a week. Ā The Meadowlands has 80some dates in 2025 .... despite the handle. Ā So sad. I remember being at a meet and greet held by the Meadowlands in the early 80's. Ā Stan Bergstein was the speaker. Ā He said back then that if the tracks don't work together as one the sport won't survive. Ā The casinos were a life line but the end is near. Ā The time to work together has passed. Ā Another major problem is the racing is boring. Ā Favorites winning at 45%! Ā Going back to those Freehold, Big M days. Ā There were always four in and four out in every race on half mile and 5/8ths tracks. Ā The Meadowlands shuffle, so great. Ā There would be 5,6,7 different lead changes. Ā Bettors loved it, common fans thought it was exciting. Ā Now, 3 to 5 shot gets the lead before the quarter, race over. Ā OMG I'm so negative! Ā Kudos to Ohio and Kentucky. Ā We were at the Red Mile the day Momento Mori set the world record. Ā My first impression that day was, wow, there's FANS here!
I totally agree. Ā Grew up at Freehold. Ā Was there for the last night at The Pomp, thought that was sad. Ā Freehold is devastating. Just last night I read Hollywood Heyden's three part article on Freehold. Ā The Meadowlands won't last once Jeff Gural moves on or gives up. Ā Both those tracks use to race six days/nights a week. Ā The Meadowlands has 80some dates in 2025 .... despite the handle. Ā So sad. I remember being at a meet and greet held by the Meadowlands in the early 80's. Ā Stan Bergstein was the speaker. Ā He said back then that if the tracks don't work together as one the sport won't survive. Ā The casinos were a life line but the end is near. Ā The time to work together has passed. Ā Another major problem is the racing is boring. Ā Favorites winning at 45%! Ā Going back to those Freehold, Big M days. Ā There were always four in and four out in every race on half mile and 5/8ths tracks. Ā The Meadowlands shuffle, so great. Ā There would be 5,6,7 different lead changes. Ā Bettors loved it, common fans thought it was exciting. Ā Now, 3 to 5 shot gets the lead before the quarter, race over. Ā OMG I'm so negative! Ā Kudos to Ohio and Kentucky. Ā We were at the Red Mile the day Momento Mori set the world record. Ā My first impression that day was, wow, there's FANS here!
Quote from factlaw on January 14, 2025, 1:32 PMStan Bergstein was ahead of his time on so many things, including what you have recounted here.
Stan Bergstein was ahead of his time on so many things, including what you have recounted here.
Quote from factlaw on January 14, 2025, 1:36 PMI donāt think there will ever be a commissioner for all. States would have to cede their regulatory authority, etc. Itās not impossible, but I wouldnāt hold my breath.
I donāt think there will ever be a commissioner for all. States would have to cede their regulatory authority, etc. Itās not impossible, but I wouldnāt hold my breath.