2015 Predictions
 

Who wants to go first?

Winner gets bragging rights.

Ok. Me first. I predict it would take me longer than a year to make 2015 predictions.

Palace Malice retires AGAIN.

One and Only wins the Japan Cup (he finished 7th this year).

Baffert wins the 2015 Kentucky Derby with American Pharaoh.

Five Predictions that Push the Envelope
 

Here are five predictions for 2015.

[1] Tote Security Breach : At least one tote provider will uncover a major security breach that leads to a national debate on parimutuel racing security. This breach will be uncovered by an internal IT staff member, who becomes the initial focus of the investigation, but forensics will show that the problem has existed for months prior, funded by large financial players. This will lead to a call for a national tote system similar to NASDAQ opening the game to national exchange wagering. No indictments or prosecutions will result.

[2] International Market Expansion for US Product : In response to a 4.6% decrease in national handle during the first half of 2015, a US-based ADW platform company will lead a marketing effort to bring East Coast racing to Great Britain, France, and Spain in order to increase handle. Turf racing will be featured for the local markets in these prepackaged six race simulcasting events.

[3] Import Signals : While Australia, Japan, and Meydan have led the signal import markets here in the United States, expect that horse racing from India will be part of an overnight offering established during the year.

[4] Saratoga Contraction Impact : The run of great weather that has fueled the "Summer Place to Be" will end with a rainy August resulting in numerous sloppy track programs and significantly shorter fields than expected. The decrease in business will lead to a Belmont-Aqueduct Fall/Winter season of four days per week.

[5] Industry Consolidation : Expect that 2015 will see at least one racetrack (thoroughbred, quarterhorse, or harness) close in Louisiana, New York, and Illinois.

Tom Durkin is enshrined in the horse racing Hall Of Fame.

Kentucky bluebloods revolt at the 2015 Breeders Cup after being dispatched from the Lexington and Kentucky Rooms and relegated to the Phoenix Room to make room for Tito's Vodka and Emirates Airlines parties culminating with the State Police being called in at the behest of the ex-Governor.

The afternoon including the miserable weather is somewhat salvaged when Frankfort KY native Buff Bradley wins the Classic with a 3 year old filly that was unraced at the beginning of the year. Oh that filly's name is Take Charge. ;)

Pointman wins the 2015 NHC Finals in Las Vegas by nipping Casp in the last race.

Buggers :wf

I predict MMSC will start a thread asking for 2015 predictions...

Travis Stone will get the Churchill Gig. ;)

Work All Week gets beat on dirt for the first time but wins the BC Sprint again

Calzone Lord will resume his role as Chief Supreme Moderator at DerbyTrail.com forums

avviare la rivoluzione :D

Parx will fully omit the racing product from any and all advertising.

That would not be a large leap. They currently have one reference to the racetrack as part of their "Let's Go Racing" program that airs on Comcast Sports Network here in the Philly area.

This prediction also is valid if the TV show also goes away - God forbid. I do enjoy watching it every week and even TiVo it. Some great Tony Black moments on past interviews on that show.

As Steve announced earlier this month, Sal Sinatra is leaving (or has left) Parx for Maryland, and he was devoted to trying to do the best he could to sustain and improve the racing at Parx. With his absence, things can only get worse.

Morty moves to Greenwich and becomes a co-anchor of the new show called "At the Races with Mortimer & Steve Byk "

I did my predictions a week or so ago. Most of them are twitter related, but some aren't.

http://jasonbeem.com/2014/12/17/2015...r-predictions/

Dortmund wins the Derby.

Texas Red wins the Kentucky Derby

American Pharoah returns to the races with a sparkling performance, making him again the early favorite for the Derby. Inexplicably loses his next start and is gone for the year and then retired for the 2016 breeding season. #cairoprince