BTW - For me, sadly, I agree with you. Perhaps, it's a cultural thing. In France, jump racing is not far behind the flat; in the UK, it is probably on par; and in Ireland, I get the sense that national hunt racing is more popular than the flat. Maybe our passion for racing here in the States is geared more towards gambling than the sport itself. For me, it's a 50/50 split. I've been to 9 of the weekend "hunt" meetings and plan to attend 7 this year. Do I wish that I could have a punt at these thrilling affairs, sure. But the fact that there is no gambling does not deter my interest in that type of racing, which I find superior to that on the flat.
I also agree with you that NSA needs to get their meetings "out of the cloak of darkness" and get their product displayed at established flat tracks. This is a common theme in Europe and works very well. A great many of the racecourses in Europe run mixed meets/cards with 4 or 5 over the flat and 2 or 3 over the sticks. Perhaps, one of our mid-Atlantic tracks (where most jump trainers have their base) could embrace this type of race day.
Kasept - Just listened to your segment with Mr. Raffetto. Glad to hear that you are and will continue to cover jump racing. It is the one area of thoroughbred racing in the US that has enormous potential for growth.
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