Industry Problems

In this issue I will give discuss the problems facing the racing industry and possible solutions. I will also discuss what I perceive as the track of the future.

The live attendance at racetracks will decrease because of increased on-line betting and telephone betting. This is the future of the sport and the tracks should be heavily promoting on-line betting and telephone betting.

The grandstands at most tracks are too large. If your average attendance is four thousand people then you should have a grandstand for four thousand people. If you have a larger grandstand it is costing the track money for maintaining the empty seats. It also does not look good to the betting public and the track sponsors. The racetrack promoters need the grandstands looking full to draw sponsors and fans. Most tracks need smaller grandstands with better seating arrangements. They should have smoking and nonsmoking sections. They should have clubhouse luxury boxes like in other sports.

Tracks should not charge for general admission and general parking. Most tracks charge a dollar for buying a pencil which is not justified. The price of food and beverages at most tracks is excessive.

No track should race year round. Every other sport has a season because it draws more interest. Tracks also need to be closed for a period of time to make upgrades to their facilities.

The states need to issue race dates for comparable multiply tracks in the same state so they do not compete with each other. If they compete with each other one track is going to suffer financially.

Tracks need to schedule their race dates so they are closed when there is a major sporting event.

Horse racing interest is at its peek when the thoroughbred triple crown is being contested and harness racing should capitalize on it. Harness racing should have their three year old triple crown races held one week after each thoroughbred triple crown race. They should also have national television coverage (not cable).

There is currently an oversupply of low purse racetracks (approximately 25% of all tracks) that need to increase their purses or close their doors. The public does not like to bet on low purse races because low purse races translate to low quality horses.

Half mile racetracks need to be made larger because it is not exciting watching a race on a half mile track.

Everyone thinks that slot machines are the answer to every tracks financial problems because of the rebirth of Dover Downs but it is only a short term fix. It portrays to the public that harness racing is a second rate operation compared to the casinos. It will hurt this industry in the long run.

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