Fuel Prices hurt racing???

[Storm Cadet]

Beside the obvious of racing fans staying home instead of driving to tracks, how else will these high fuel prices hurt racing? The projection tonight on CNBC is $200/barrel by the fall. That translates they said to $7.00 per gallon of gas and $10.00 for diesel/home heating oil.

Here's a few that I spoke to a racing ownership company today regarding impediments trying to get new investors into the sport:

1. Less tristate people driving to Saratoga on day or weekend trips as well as less owners driving interstate to NY to watch their horses run live. They'll stay home and watch TV. NJ/CT based owners won't drive to Belmont. NY owners won't drive to Monmouth.

2. NYRA possibly charging owners/trainers to transport their horses between Bel/Big A/Sar. I believe NYRA transportation is free now. Additional fees for owners.

3.Feed prices for trainers and barns for horses are going way up with corn going to ethanol production. Day rates have got to go higher for trainers and owners.

4. With airlines cutting out reduced fares and today announcing $15 per checked bag as well as fuel surcharges, how many people will now not travel to Saratoga and DelMar from out of state now?

5. Heating oil prices-how they going to heat those inefficient winter facilities like Aqueduct?

6. Fly horses on those charter flights to stakes races across country will drastically be reduced. Only the Arabs will be able to fly their horses across the pond for Breeders Cup. The Frenchies and Brits will stay home?

7. OTB's might benefit as people will go to teletheaters to watch/bet instead of driving to tracks.

8. and most of all: what are we going to have to pay for a Carolina BBQ sandwich this summer? Seriously, I'm sure Steve has already had discussions with his food suppliers regarding food/drink prices for this summer!

What else?