Hollywood fills Wednesday and Thursday cards
Despite running an unnecessary 12 races on Kentucky Derby day, Hollywood Park still was able to fill its cards both Wednesday and Thursday with field sizes larger than the first two days of the meet, which were pathetic.
On Wednesday, 63 horses entered -- an average of 7.9 for the eight-race card. Thursday's races drew 57 horses, or 7.1 per race.
At a time when racing needs to maybe downsize a bit, why are they still running these 12-race cards? I mean, I understand the logic -- more people at the track to bet, let's run more races and get a bigger handle. But c'mon guys, sometimes less is better, and especially in this instance.
Del Mar did a smart thing, cutting back to a five-day race meet. Let's hope it works out, and let's hope the other tracks take notice.
Hey Art,
Racing in California continues to be its own worst enemy. When they poured the original cherry Kool Aid into our glasses didnt they say synthetic tracks would help the horses recover from training and racing and they would be able to run more frequently and help the races fill?
Im not going to hammer different points on where racing is going wrong, most people reading your column already know. Why cant racing figure it out? Every state has it's own racing commision/governing body. No CENTRAL body making rules racing wide. Imagine for a second if Major League Baseball or the National Football League were operated the same way racing is. Imagine having one set of rules when you fly into California to play the Dodgers, Padres, Angels, or A's, then have a different set of rules when your road trip takes you to Seattle and then another set when you finish the roadie in Texas. Absurd right? Thats what you have with horse racing.
States are just finishing implementing no steroids. CONGRATS! I heard the TV this weekend announcing "this is the first steroid free Kentucky Derby." Bravo and whoppty doo! Thats the bragging right? What a rousing success.
Mullins has been slapping the CHRB around for years doing as he pleases and getting taps on the wrist when caught. He then takes his act to New York and tries to stretch the rules AGAIN and is caught. What happens? He gets a week off to press his plaid shirt and steam his Stetson. BUT.......He still gets to run his horse in the KENTUCKY DERBY! Luckily justice was served and his horse scratched.
Super trainers, short fields, synthetic tracks, a self serving unreliable CHRB, an old game unwilling to "modernize." I went from playing California races daily putting A LOT of money through the windows to maybe tossing $100 in my TVG account every now and again. It has nothing to do with the economy. I have a great job and am earning more than ever. It has to do with an inferior product, and us, the bettors taking it in the pants everytime. Wether its the track surface, the $20 total to park, get in, buy a DRF and a program, $6 nasty hot dog, cheating trainers that may get caught and a purse may redistribute but my money is still gone even though a horse I may have bet may have been moved up because a cheater got nabbed.
Its a sad state of racing to a once proud game. Best Pal, Marquetry, Kostroma, Gentleman, Silver Charm, Free House, Cigar, Kona Gold, dirt racing, healthy well bred animals willing to face the best in Grade 1 races. The glory is gone. As soon as the bettors find a new fix, this game is done too. Racing is just lucky there are gamblers out there that are willing to keep taking lumps and come back. Wether they run 7 horses per race on Wednesday and Thursday this week or if they held match races all week, theyve lost my money for good.
Well said Jerry, I couldn't agree with your thoughts and points more! :)I'm afraid to say that I also agree with you on losing horse players with all the cheating and non-sense that goes on here in Southern California. The CHRB is a joke and so is Richard B. Shapiros new position, who by the way is the main reason we are in this synthetic track mess right now. I hold him responsible as well as the other CHRB lackeys.
Jerry,
You're knowledgeable enough that someone like yourself should be in charge of racing, but then I don't think I'd burden you with such a job. You're right on all accounts. Can't disagree with anything you write. And I will add one thing -- the owners of these horses, not just the trainers, need to be punished harshly when caught. Some owners won't hire trainers unless they know they are bending the rules and giving themselves a better chance to win. It's a sad state and I'm afraid the powers that be, especially in California, just aren't equipped to do the job racing needs right now.