Tell us what's ailing California racing
It's no secret that California horse racing is hurting big time. Owners are leaving the state to seek riches elsewhere, leaving a severe shortage in horses and short fields as a result.
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I have been going to the races since 1965. Back in those days you could not get close to the parking lot on Big Cap Day or the Santa Anita Derby. There were no exotic bets, only WPS and exactas. That's it. The attraction was the quality of the horses and the ambiance of the track. The track had Class!
But the downturn could be corrected if they were to change a few things. Attract the younger crowd. How? Free admission on the weekends when the crowds could be larger. When was the last time you were charged to enter a Casino to gamble?
Why should we be charged to enter a racetrack to gamble? Open the gates and they shall come!
It's too expensive to race horses in California.
There are very few owners who can afford to stay in the business.
Trainers, at least in So. Cal. charge over $100 a day per horse, that doesn't include vet bills and other expenses for owners.
There just aren't as many horse farms in Calif. They are all being sold to big developers. Gone forever.
There are many other factors as well, but this is the main one in my humble opinion. My family has been in the business for close to 50 years.
Richard,
I remember those days, too ... like back in the mid-80s when they had 85,000 ON-TRACK for the Big 'Cap when Lord at War won for Whittingham. Those days are long gone I'm afraid, most notably because of off-track and ADW wagering, but I think there are still a great many fans who still care about the game. They just don't have to show up at the track anymore to place their wagers. I think general admission should be free every day, and I think at some point we might be headed in that direction.
Diane,
You're exactly right about the cost of owning a horse in CA. I had a very, very brief experience as a horse owner early last year. I went with a trainer whose vet bills are very low because he doesn't use some of the same methods others do. In this economy, it's very difficult to to spend $4,000 to $5,000 per month just for the care of your thoroughbred. I know I for one don't have an extra $60,000 just sitting around at home.