If racing seeks a solitary cure for all that ails it, I have the answer.
Well, kind of. There is, of course, no magical, quick fix to turning the ship around. But, I have a poetic diatribe about one of the key ingredients — a little something which we all can (and should) contribute.
Let’s call it Adam’s Elixir.
Most of you don’t know Adam Mauntah. He’s a smart, mild-mannered lawyer (yes, really) from Ottawa, ON. I met Adam in July when he was a finalist in Grand River Raceway’s Announcer Contest. He may be an aspiring race caller, but he is first and foremost a fan. A big one (in spirit, not stature …. I mean he’s average size … anyway …). When he talks about harness racing, he gets that proverbial glow about him that people often associate with pregnant women (who aren’t wrenching sick).
He gets a spring in his step, and a smile that spans his face. The guy just loves the races: loves to watch them, loves to talk about them, loves to play them. He’s a living, breathing testimonial for the sizzle that sells an entertainment product like ours.
Tomorrow, Adam will make a seven-hour trek to Wallacetown to call six races at the Wallacetown Fair. (That’s about 700 kilometers, for those of you counting at home.) His gas expenses will likely be higher than the total purses on the card, and his payment at the end of the day will be little more than a hotdog and a bag of cotton candy. He was hired yesterday via email and cleared his schedule to make it happen. But he’s tickled to death about it. He’s jumping out of his skin with jubilance, in fact, and THAT is the key ingredient in Adam’s Elixir.
Enthusiasm. If you don’t have any now, you probably once did at the start of your association with harness racing. If that’s the case, you need to find a way to rejuvenate it. I believe enthusiasm can move mountains, and Lord knows racing has some big, and poorly positioned rocks. It’s never too late to refresh your enthusiasm for harness racing — it’s a beautiful, vibrant industry that offers plenty of reasons to get enthused. You just have to drink it up.
well, years ago before lotto
well, years ago before lotto and scratch offs, the daily double was ''THE BIG BET'' of the nite. people used to run thru the parking lot to bet doubles. that was then, now the state takes out about 30-35% on lotto tix. puts the money in an annuity gives you back the interest over 25 years ,and keeps the principle. now why should they give you a better deal on pic 6 , pic 4 or other fancy bets?// they run the show , tracks are too timid to fight their liscencee, so the bettor has dwindled, as his ante gets ''eaten'' away by the takeout///harness racing is just waiting around in an old age home , lingering before the funeral.slots have boosted purses but have not changed the fan base ,,,, free t shirts are not the cure.... lower take out, less races, promote the horse , educate the young fan on what is happening, will draw attention to what once was america's evening entertainment!!!/ jk
I too used to love to watch,
I too used to love to watch, talk, and play the horses when I first became associated with harness racing 30-35 years ago. Many, many times on Saturdays in the winter, a car-load of us would go to Greenwood in the afternoon and then Windsor at night, about an 800 km round trip. I averaged 5 nights a week of live races (no simulcast yet) and I averaged at least $500 a night wagering. And quite a few years, I broke even for the year, or the cost was justifiable for the entertainment value. But these days, I'm not so keen. Why?
I recently found an old race program from 1986 and using the takeout percentage from it, I calculated that if I broke even betting $500 a night, 5 days a week in 1986, I would now lose over $20,000 a year, simply because of increased takeout percentage! I don't know the slots takeout percentage, but I doubt that it is near the 25% that harness racing takes out, which means that I have a better chance of winning against a machine that has a chip programmed to beat me than I do betting horses. If you want to rejuvenate me, drop the takeout percentage to a realistic level, which means drastically, not 0.5 or 1%. Cut it in half to give bettors a realistic chance.
P.S. Have you ever heard poker players on TV talk about betting on horses? They think it is disgusting because they realize how tough it is to hold their own playing poker where the takeout is minimal.
In reply to I too used to love to watch, by Anonymous (not verified)
AMEN !!! Someone has to get
AMEN !!! Someone has to get to these track executives to lower the takeout. WEG exec's I challenge you to have a reduced takeout race each night......advertise it well.......then check your handles. I will almost guarantee that the true gambler(your ideal customer) will bet substantially more on these races. Handles will increase, and maybe we can get more people to actually go to the track.
In reply to AMEN !!! Someone has to get by Anonymous (not verified)
Racing takeout is
Racing takeout is RIDICULOUS!!! I use to also play the horses (harness). Now I'm into poker where the takeout is minimal. Racetrack owners have to lower the takeouts or horse racing will die a slow death. Do what the previous writer said, have a race or two or even three, where the takeout is less......say 15% total takeout of a certain wager(pk 4, pk 3, super 6, or superfecta and watch how people bet. I'm sure you will see an improvement in handles. Without the bettor in our corner we are doomed !!