how badly does racing need saving when you constantly read headlines about new-record handles at different tracks? attendance is down, but handle is up--so just how bad off is horse racing? does the track make money on $2 per person attendance, or takeout from otb's and on line betting? i'm betting it's the latter.


i'm not so sure that slots are the answer, if everyone has them, then once again the playing field is level. then it comes down to who runs their business the best. and that's generally the case anyway.

I believe racing is dead. Period. There is absolutely NO WAY in my lifetime that racing will ever run a clean game. In fact, I think it will progressively get worse. Just look at other sports like Cycling, Baseball and even Auto Racing. The competition is just too fierce and, like most venues in America, morals are low. Combine those two and you have a breeding ground for cheating and corruption. It WILL NOT CHANGE. Anyone who thinks it will is wishing. In fact, Horse Racing is the very last sport that has a chance to combat drugs. Why? 1) No governing body. 2) Penalties are merely a slap and the cost of doing business. 3) No incentive from the decision makers to take a stand against drugs. 4) Science is a step ahead.

Regarding slots....I agree with another poster. Slots are welfare for the tracks/horsemen. If the tracks can't compete without slots, eventually, they won't be able to compete with them. As soon as slots are in other gambling locations, racing is done. Great point about Mnr. I cannot believe they had to cut purses. I would think the slot money is a windfall and should carry that track for years. Greed!