Things I've Noticed: Field Sizes, Simulcast Schedules, and Track Communication

Following the Derby things are getting back to normal. There is some exciting racing going on, and as we close in on the Preakness, we are back to that time when many Derby runners are bypassing the 2nd jewel in the Triple Crown. Oh well, we run in streaks. Sometimes it's a year or two and looking back it may be a long time between drinks for racing. Just what the doctor did not order.

Seeing some bad news about racing field sizes. - Once upon a time in Ohio there was a "7&7" program. Seven races at Thistledown and seven races at River Downs. - It used to be a neat betting option, and each track was not competing, but working to maximize handle by not running on top of each other. It can work with open communication; as one track would run and there would be a 12-15-minute break and the other track would run. Just like the morning races we see across the pond they seldom run on top of each other.

We used to have a stack of applications to work in racing but that has gone the way of the dinosaur. Nobody wants to work weekends or holidays as I did my entire life in racing. Drop a race per day and you could boost purses a bit to attract more horsemen. Sound good? It could be.

Now, by working together as a team, there has to be an elected body that has a person or team to watch the other out-of-state simulcast signals by cutting back a few minutes to post or adding one. It will all come out in the wash and something we could learn from European and Australian racing is not to run on top of each other, and work to keep maximum focus by staying off other signals. - Trust me it works. I used to watch between races at Belterra and ask the stewards for a minute or two to keep players' handle on track. The first race we usually handled around $5,000 in early pick-five wagers. When it bumped up to the mid $20,000 range it makes a difference for the bottom line. All that I was looking at was a list of a couple tracks to stay away from and we started seeing the needle move. You can't stay off everyone, but you can sure make a dent in the competition against each other by watching post times.

Tracks need to pay better. For stake days attract gate crew from other ovals for the marquee race day. Why not? Keeping things safer allows for equine and human athletes to be handled by professionals, and we won't have delays going back and forth with a sister track. - I'm sure your sister track could send a few extra hands to make the process quicker and safe for a few more dollars on your marquee race day. Safety and business first. Not a fire drill approach and hope things go well. Take away the guesswork.

Transparency. - Post every photo, DQ, or DH on the infield screen and televise to tracks around the country. When a horse is taken down, the state steward at that track comes to the mic and gives a brief explanation of action taken. If you watched the NFL or NCAA tournaments, referees gave a complete explanation when a player was ejected or a flagrant foul was called. - Don't make the bettors look up at the judge's booth and guess. Keep the players informed with announcements about scratches, changes, overweights, and in the event of a scratch, what happens to their wager with either getting the post time favorite, a consolation, or what rules are to be applied. Each racing official should have a quick one-sheet with every possible scenario. - It is not one person's job. It is the team approach that keeps the guesswork down and an explanation could be given if a player inquires.

Tracks are horrible at advertising on social media, press, TV and radio. How will they know when to come? When is post time? Rejuvenate the communication and see what happens. Just don't hire people who have no idea. It pays to keep seasoned racing personnel and not someone HR hired because they thought they may catch on. This is an easy fix and there are more than a few ways to offset costs. - I have worked, written, hosted radio shows, podcasts about the sport of kings for over 35 years. I've seen the old days, glory days, and the decline. - Not knowing is not a hanging offense, but not doing anything about it should be.