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Old 07-12-2006, 07:49 AM
Cunningham Racing
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ArlJim78
Joel. I think you’re on to something here. The frequency of the action is important to make the game more exciting. I don’t know if it can be pulled off at one track, but if it could it would definitely be interesting. I had an idea that you might be able to pull it off in a simulcasting venue.
Here is my out of the box idea. The goal is to expand horse racing to the casino gaming crowd, to make it an easy exciting fast action game like those in casinos. But racing has a several problems in satisfying this market. Mainly it’s that people that are looking for the action don’t necessary want to explore and understand all the nuances. When they go to the track or OTB now, they’re greeted by a cacophony of screens and sounds, all disjointed and unconnected. Where do you start? Well you go buy a racing form with hundreds of pages of data you don’t understand then you start looking around to find what track you want to play. It’s a high hurdle to the casual gambler.

Here is my idea. I’m sure that many will point out numerous reasons why this won’t work but sometimes its best to go outside the box so to speak.
The product needs to be offered to these kinds of players in a different way. Instead of 30 different live feeds to follow, I propose that a sufficient number of race tracks adhere to a timing schedule that kicks off races at equal intervals that guarantee constant action, let’s just say it’s between 5 and 10 minutes between races. Then there is a single broadcast stream that rolls through the schedule one race at a time. This broadcast has a host that is entertaining, and informative and keeps the attention of the players. I’m picturing a theatre type setting, big High Def screens but the point is that there is one unique display or interface instead of numerous different layouts and announcers. The host is sort of like a bingo host who keeps the game moving along. Players could get a prepaid play card like at a casino then sit down in the theatre and get relatively rapid-fire action. New people could simply grab a simple program with M/L odds, name, jockey, PP# , silk colors and could play their numbers, names, colors, etc. Or they could get a regular program with PP’s.
Another thing I think would help would be to have more of the fractional wagers, dimes, quarters, etc. That way people could play longer on $20 or $40 bucks, I’m picturing the seniors that are camped out in front of the nickel slots.

Anyway the main points are, simple consistent game format (remove the clutter), delivered to the player in a fairly rapid and entertaining fashion, with some unique wagers offered. Also a very important item, reduce the takeout, that is a key.

Of course no one on this board would be interested in this, but it could be a way to tap into the money going into the casinos. The regular existing product would still be available for the die-hards like we have around here.

Just food for thought.
I think its great to think out of the box and I don't believe that most of our sports top marketers do it well enough...(cough) NTRA..(cough, cough)...

It is absolutely RIDICULOUS for any tracks to be runnnig races on top of each other, especially the bigger circuits that really compete for market share (can't help it with all smaller tracks).....there is plenty of time to spread out between races to show all big tracks in a certain season without running them on top of each other, yet you see bonehead tracks making this mistake all of the time.....I remember working at Fair Grounds two winters ago and I noticed us going off as the same time that Gulfstream Park did in most of the races on the program and it killed our handle - not to mention it probably pissed off simo customers that were basically forced to choose whcih race they wanted to bet on so they could watch the race.....that is a mistake that should NEVER be made....it is bad for the tracks and it is bad for the fans....I agree...

The only real problem about your idea that I see (and its not a bad idea...no ideas are perfect), How do you give them the option to see the post parade to check horses physically to see if they are washed out. etc. if there is only one track to view at a time?
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