It is understandable to be focused solely on your horses when you are getting ready to start a pair of charges in a $5-million horse race. And although owner Mike Repole is paying close attention to his starters, he is also taking the opportunity to make his voice heard in regard to what the industry is doing wrong
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Repole, who will start Uncle Mo and Stay Thirsty in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs this coming weekend, has gone on the record as saying that the racing industry is addressing the decline of its product the wrong way.
In an article on dailynews.com, Repole said that inexperienced or new customers come to the track and do not know the first thing about wagering on the product in front of them. He said that the education and recruitment of a new fan base is crucial.
"I find that when I go to the track, and this Breeders' Cup I'm coming with 60 or 70 friends and family, I spend almost half my time educating these guys on horse racing," Repole was quoted as saying. "I think if we did a better job of obviously worrying about the horse first and the fan second, I think the sport would just be in a better place."
(With files from dailynews.com)