I couldn't agree more. Make it easier to watch, and more people will.

By the way, Turfway's handle was up.

The fundamental premise of the thread - that cheating is "rampant" at all tracks - is something that I do not agree with, as I believe the vast majority of trainers are plying their trades within the rules. Will there always be someone trying to utilize illicit means to make money? Yes, but the point that you made above is something that racing needs to come to grips with.

In the 1980s, before the simulcasting explosion, when racing was really a really a regional exercise, a NY horseplayer had to deal with Oscar Barrera, and likely had no idea who his counterparts in places like California or Philadelpia were. Now, because of full-card simulcasting and racing really becoming a national sport, they are aware of guys like Mullins and Guerrero, and the perception is that guys like that exist in almost every racing jurisdiction. Even if the "cheating" is not "rampant" at all tracks, the existence of guys like those mentioned at almost every venue lead some to conclude that the problem is universal.

That said, pointman makes an excellent point about the demise of NYC OTB and its impact on national handle. Also, I'd love to know the comparative numbers about handle through off-shore accounts that never hits the pools. My sense is that handle continues to bleed out of the pools in this manner.

I never saw it. Where is it now if it was so great? I get the premise that they were straight forward and no bs. I can pay $75 a month to the dish to get every track feed in the country if I choose but why would I? I have four ADW'S to choose from and every one of them show free streaming video.

That's not the premise I went with as the person who started the thread. Meds are not keeping people from betting. Money is. And poor return on the investment is.

The challenges facing horse racing go well beyond one singular topic.

The problem is when people write blog posts and solicit ideas, you get 40 variations on a theme with different ideas, mindsets or thoughts that they think would save racing.

I think meds and takeout are two bullet points in a long list of bullet points that goes from the distribution of horse flesh wealth to how hard the game is learn for someone interested in jumping in - and everything in between.