What Would Your Track Have?

Well one mile tracks are indeed very attractive,however
if we were to eliminate tracks in Ontario that are not
one mile,what does that leave us with and now as if there hasn´t
been enough devistation in the industry,we will kill it some more
.....hmmm.
Proposed one mile tracks should be at least built within the
vicinity of the major remaining 1/2 mile tracks and when ready
to operate then faze out gradually the old tracks.
This however may not happen for some time though,so why not
look at ways to increase the fan base as it will still be
necessary at any track regardless of size.
In a blog posted by Anthony MacDonald on June25/2013 entitled
¨Customer Focus¨,these same areas became the focus of these
issues related to track and track improvements.I responded with
a plan,which in this case I used London solely for the purpose
of an example that could be used to perhaps create a more aware and
interested fan base both for the young and old.
One last point,I couldn´t agree more with the comments made by both
Lorne House and Casie Coleman.There is no substitute for safety.
This is in the best interest of anyone on the track,and should
never be compromised.

From a fan and casual bettors point of view:

Mark Steacy and Jody Jamieson's are dead on from an integrity and betting point of view. They combine both of these in the "Stewards Report" in Australian Harness Racing. Every judges decision for every meet is recorded and made available to the public. No excuse not to have this in 2015.

I also agree with Doug McNair that tracks need to create a better night life for after the races. Victory at the Big M is awesome and it keeps the younger crowd around after the races, which when they end at 11:30 it might already be too late to go out somewhere else so make it the happening spot in town and it will get the younger crowd out.

And Kyle Reibeling hits a good point to. There should be no "dead air" at the track, especially out on the apron. If you want to keep a section quite for the traditional fans that like it that way go ahead but for the younger fan if the apron was more "happening" then the time between races, that we hear is too long, I think would become less of an issue.

Just my 2 cents.

I agree with George. 1 mile tracks are much more attractive to bettors. Not that I would know much about that :)

A tote board @ London.

I enjoy watching your videos, just to see if anyone
actually answers the questions you ask.
I think in this case 2 or 3 I am sure the track
would like to mandate a bar for young people
or some baby sitting function or a free sandwich

Some good comments. The best one was skipped over very quickly. Chris said make all tracks 1 mile. GREAT IDEA. Much more action like the Meadowlands. None of this follow the leader boat racing like we watch every night until somebody decides they have to go first over and sacrifice.

Half mile bullrings are ridiculous in 2015. Inside posts are half the battle. Outside posts or trailers are often such a disadvantage. Also I have raced at half mile tracks and some of the top trainers I know ask me if I'm crazy for risking a good horse on half mile track. They have told me you can ruin horses out there.

If they were all 1 mile then you could handicap better. I've seen newbies look at times and say, wow that horse goes 2 seconds faster so I'm betting that one, never knowing that a horse that has moved from London to Mohawk has had a 3 second disadvantage racing half mile tracks. They assume its all a set up and drugs have been given etc and never come back. Conversely they don't understand how much disadvantage a horse has going outside on a half mile track and can't figure out why the best horse wasn't close. Look how many times the 1/5 fave loses like a dog in the street.

It can be done easily everywhere. The dimensions change a lot less than you think. Do the math guys. Can you tell I'm really passionate about this?

Georg Leber-ICR Racing