Major tuning of BEL & SAR stakes/purses

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I don't thimk that instant racing will generate enough income to justify the investment that would need to be made. KY downs is a different story because they are in a market with no competition and had a facility that was easily and cheaply converted.

Without a year round or semi-year round circuit the racing in KY overall will continue to erode. People seem to forget that with the less racing that everyone is so hot to try out there still needs to be a place to train the horses and a place for them to run. It isnt like you can put them in a freezer and thaw them out when the racing starts back up again. And the cheaper horses that race in the winter are the ones that least can afford to not race for any length of time. IF Turfway were to close it isnt like the world would end but it would make CD and Kee into complete commuter tracks as trainers would ship out as soon as those meets ended and would be more selective with what horses they sent. In other word as NYRA raises the min claiming price more cheap horses would wind up at KY tracks which isnt going to produce better quality racing.

Everyone cries for a reduction in dates, less racing, bigger fields etc., which on many levels is right. However, a city without a track is a city with a significantly decreased interest in racing. And suddenly, virtually zero chance of cultivating a fan base, whether small or large.

If there was no horse racing at Louisiana Downs, then there would be very little interest in horse racing in Northwest Louisiana. Our business as an OTB would drastically reduce as a result, and the trickle down effect becomes significant.

There are so many different wheels at play when it comes to horse racing, putting a little grease on one but ignoring the others makes it very difficult.