Quote:
Originally Posted by dilanesp
As someone who has gotten into many scraps with Andy here, let me echo this point. I don't agree with all of his opinions expressed here, but his day job is providing extensive amounts of good information to the public and serving as an ambassador for the sport. He does an amazing job. We need more Andy Serlings, even if it does mean I get slapped down every now and then on the PA board.  |
He's a good commentator. I agree with that. However, he doesn't offer any good solutions to help grow the racing game. He, along with other oldsters, are quick to criticize those who do offer up solutions. Meanwhile, the toilet water is spinning in the bowl and racing is swirling down the drain.
Fortunately, horseplayers have more options than ever in today's world that didn't exist 30 years ago.
So let me reiterate some solutions I mentioned because I can't remember everything I've written:
1. Reduce the number of race days.
2. Increase the number of grass races.
3. Start a handicap division.
4. Eliminate all race day medication.
So which one of these ideas is radical, absurd, or unrealistic?
I agree that one or more of these ideas might not be popular with racetrack management and horsemen and that will prevent them from instituting any of these. As long as horsemen can pick up a check for running in last place there is no incentive to change. As long as executives can get subsidies from casinos that are large enough to provide all of them with paychecks every two weeks there is no incentive to change. Why should they? I don't blame them. But there is no room for a serious horseplayer in that game. That's ok. There are other great options for horseplayers. Times change. That is one reality we probably all agree on.
