Quote:
Originally Posted by classhandicapper
I know we are all racing fans, but I'm having a tough time figuring out why 100s of millions of dollars are being spent on new facilities for an industry that's dying in the US despite 100s of millions of dollars of casino profits being diverted to it. Even if the goal is to build more diverse entertainment centers that draw more people, it will not be racing that's bringing in those people. So why does it even have to be part of it?
There was a time when racing was the only legal gambling game around. Now there are scratch-off lottery tickets, lotto, casinos all over the place and growing legal sports gambling on all the major sports. Betting on racing is not a major activity anymore (other than for computer teams). It's more of a niche sport with a handful of marquee meets and races that the public cares about. In 10-15 years it may need a DNR.
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Many of us know the story of Saratoga, but it is still worth your time to read this article.
https://www.thoroughbredracing.com/a...tion-saratoga/
The reinventions of both Pimlico and Belmont need "just" one more ingredient which might be the hardest to find : they both need their own Marylou Whitney.
Maybe Mike Repole can do that in New York. Maybe there is another name that can take the golden ring.
So, when we think about spending millions, the cost of the industry's complete collapse will be measured in the billions. Just like Saratoga rose like a phoenix, the dream is there that it can happen once again. I, for one, really hope that it does.
