Do we within harness racing sometimes concentrate too much on promoting what we think makes racing great?
I can think of three recent races where the race was not a major stakes event, it wasn't a world record performance or an incredible milestone. The races didn't play off emotional comebacks, impossible odds or huge financial windfalls.
One race was a thoroughbred event at Monmouth, another a non-betting exhibition at Georgian Downs, the third a race from Australia.
Say what you want about Xtreme Horsepower. It might not be everyone's cup of tea but it helps break from the norm and provides different concepts. I don't see Georgian Downs getting coverage by The Score all that much but this week their website picked up Race 3.5 and posted it in their Buzz section, full of amazing and unique sports news. Yes, the Xtreme Minis made The Score.
The stats on YouTube show that for the four videos posted in last week's Xtreme Horsepower recap, the mini race had more views than the mascot race, the sulky pull and the actual harness race. Twice as much as the other three combined. I'm not sure viral is the right term but more traffic came into the video from facebook than our own website. That in and of itself is quite startling.
While that video may not be viral, this one certainly is. For those of you unfamiliar with the Battle of the Wives from Monmouth Park, I'll hand it over to track announcer Larry Collmus.
Here's a video that in a matter of days made its way onto major networks, even getting Collmus onto daytime talk shows. This video alone has nearly 500,000 views, and with more than one version on YouTube, Associated Press picking up the video as well, it's one of the most viewed races in the history of the Internet. All because of horse names.
Earlier this year, Jim Jacques of Australia made headlines with his infamous race call that prompted the media to dub him 'The Hoarse Whisperer.' Another video that might be one of the most viewed ever.
There are a lot of people out there watching these videos and finding horse racing fun, intriguing, captivating, alluring. We already know its charm and we shouldn't be afraid to allow races like these to be a gateway to this industry. I never let a sports blooper get in the way of admiring hockey or baseball as a kid.
Let's continue to praise the Shark Gestures, Bigtime Balls and San Pails of racing. But let's not be afraid to sensationalize that which makes our sport a bit quirky yet also truly sensational.