Let's Fix Racing

[hud8118]

Steve,
I know the title of this entry is presumptuous but I listened with interest to your conversation with Satish on today's (12/01/10) show. I do hope you develop a group in 2011 which will somehow address the problems facing racing today. I know committees or groups usually get bogged down in disagreements and accomplish little through their 'talk but no action mode'. However, if anyone has a chance to start a group that could do some good it would be you. Your show touches and draws interest from people in every level of horse racing, from the casual fan to the experienced handicapper, to the hotwalkers and grooms, to the jocks and trainers, to the small as well as big time owners, to those who work at or run the tracks, and to various others too numerous to mentione here. I have heard them all on your show and you seem to have a great relationship with each. If you ever do start such a group and membership is open to all, count me in. I would be glad to help in whatever ways are necessary or needed.

Hud

[Kasept]

Hud,

Sorry I've been slow responding.. Appreciate the encouragement expressed above. Satish's comments indeed felt like an invitation to try and create a wider grass roots movement that could help stem the tide of negativity, and inactivity, that seems to dominate many arenas of the sport. I like to think that via everyone's participation in DT, Dee Tee and ATR, something positive along those lines is somewhat established...

• There are 900+ Derby Trailers here that form a community that has been more convivial and harmonious on an ongoing basis than any other racing-related website/message board.
  
  
• More than 130 players/fans are now owners through Dee Tee Stables since 2007, creating about 20-25 track outings annually that have brought perhaps 1,000 partners, their families and friends through turnstiles at 13 tracks in 8 states.
  
  
• And for 4 years, ATR has delivered 60 hours of racing news, entertainment and handicapping education to an estimated 30,000 monthly on SiriusXM Satellite Radio and the Internet.

So despite attempts by certain disparagers of the positive message about racing and its' joys which I try to espouse, something appears to be working. There are countless ideas and concepts which can benefit the sport and positively impact its' future greatly. Satish Sanan, Charlotte Weber and similar influential stakeholders around the sport will support viable concepts if we as dedicated believers in the game provide a unified front and champion them. I'd be pleased to provide a forum and voice for an effort of that kind here and on ATR.

Anxious to hear what people think we as horseplayers, fans and small owners can do to steer the industry in a progressive direction. As Andy Reid says, "The time is yours..."

[trackrat59]

My thoughts

Don't know if it could ever be pulled off but I've often thought the way the fans can get the attention of the industry is to have a No Fans Placing Bets Saturday. That would get some attention.

We would need a committee of a few truly dedicated fans and owners who have the skills and time who can dedicate themselves to this project. Add to the group Satish, Steve and other key players based on their recommendations. Anyone truly interested could send their resume to Steve with a cover letter as to why they want to be personally involved.

The first thing the committee should do is create a mission statement to live by and a reasonable list of grievances they would like addressed. The important thing about pointing out grievances is to formulate a list of possible solutions for each grievance. That should be done as well.

Satish and Steve would have to guide the group as to next steps.

I think a group like this would get attention within the industry. It would have to be a group of people seriously dedicated to the mission statement who are willing to donate the time and effort on a continued basis.

[hud8118]

Steve - you are right that DT, Dee Tee, and ATR are entities that are already established and are (not as you modestly stated 'appear to be') working in helping to stem the inactivity and negativity in the sport...it is a beginning and let's hope all three continue to grow...you mentioned you are interested in hearing what people think will work and hopefully people will state their opinions and ideas and not just sit back and remain quiet...maybe a thread here at DT, or a significant segment of an ATR program could be devoted to posters and callers giving their main idea of what they feel can/should be done...if nothing else it would be educational to see just how many people would respond as well as seeing/hearing all the different ideas (or whether in fact there is any consensus on what needs to be done).

Trackrat59 - you mention an idea of no fans placing bets on a given Saturday...let's consider that idea #1...i know that idea has been put out there before and it has proven difficult to get enough horseplayers to agree to such so that it has any appreciable or noticable affect on handle, but it certainly is something to put on the list and consider...your other comments are also thoughtful and useful...thanks for taking the time to post them...let's hope others take your lead and post their ideas.

Finally, anyone reading this knows the state of horse racing and how it has fallen from its glory days...Many will say it is impossible to accomplish anything and therefor have objections to even trying...for those I leave you with 2 thoughts from Samuel Johnson..

"Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome." -Samuel Johnson

"Hope is necessary in every condition." - Samuel Johnson