What does one of harness racing's most public figures think that we here in North America could learn from Sweden's Elitlopp?
On today's Trot Radio, Norm Borg talks shop with The Meadowlands' Ken Warkentin, one of the best announcers in the business on his recent trip to Sweden and what works to make their event one the country's top sporting draws.
"Their crowds there are more enthusiastic, more passionate,' states Warkentin. "I like their use of music there to build the drama and excitement...they've actually done some studies on it, they use appropriate music in certain spots to build the day to get the crowd into it. When Lucky Jim came by just to warm up, you had 30-40,000 people chanting "LUCKY JIM!" It just stirs the emotions."
Warkentin keys in on the emotional aspect as something they do a better job on than we do here.
"Horse racing has human drama and equine drama...There were several times this week, to steal a line from a Police song, that I was 'driven to tears'. It was really emotional and it got you going that way and hooked you. And I think that's where they've got an edge on it, where we just keep running racing over and over again and that kind of thing gets lost."
To listen to Borg and Warkentin, click on the play button below.
Episode 124 - Ken Warkentin Talks About The Success of the Elitlopp
Running Time: 12.34
Audio Format: MP3 audio
Host: Norm Borg