Interview - Simon Bazalgette (Sovereign Series)

I can pretty much find anything on the internet, and after yesterday's news about the Sovereign Series I made it a mission to get in touch with the brains behind the operation. And luckily I not only found Mr Bazalgette, but he agreed to an interview. Here is part I, of what I hope will be 2 parts: Your background seems to be in the music business, have you always had a passion for racing? My background is in a broad range of media and entertainment businesses, particularly music and broadcast. I have always been an occasional racegoer, but more as a day out with friends than through any interest in the sport. I got involved in the launch of Racing UK more because of my broad experience in successfully launching media projects. Coming from outside racing also gives the perspective to challenge the received wisdom as to how things should be done. You were once a director of marketing. What are the big hangups with getting horse racing back onto the front pages? Racing is a very insular sport and has focused more on its existing audience than generating a new audience. The main challenge is to understand that it is also competing in the media landscape where other sports have modernised or addressed the market much better than horse racing, and we need to gear up for this challenge. That's precisely why the Sovereign Series had been created. In America we deal with different states having different rules and just a littany of people in charge of different things. In what ways does having a national body help? How much of a hassle is it bringing horses to the different jurisdictions of Europe? Horse racing is complicated in every country, and there are different challenges in each country. However there is a common theme that racing focuses too much on internal competition, and not enough on the external competition from other sports and leaisure activities. This is the change of focus that is needed everywhere to meet the challenge of globalisation and the opening up of markets that is an inevitable long term process. In the UK we have been successful in rallying broad support for this. I would hope to see similar realisation in Europe and North America. Where did you get the idea for the Sovereign Series? The Sovereign Series was created as a response to the challenge for horse racing to address the plateau-ing of its influence in the mass media and with mass audiences. Other sports have addressed this (UK soccer in the early 1990s, F1, cricket in recent years are all examples of this) and it is clear that integration with media rights is a core element. So the aim was to use the tools and elements that already exist to come up with a conecpt that is simple to understand but also engaging across the season. Have you gotten any feedback from trainers or owners? Trainers and owners have been very supportive. Chris Wall, President of the National Trainers Federation, and Paul Dixon, President of both the Racehorse Owners Association and the Horsemen's Group both willingly gave public support to the launch. Europe doesn't really have to worry about full fields, but in what ways do you see this helping the sport, from the business side? In the UK it is always a challenge to ensure full and competitive fields, and in general we are reasonably successful. However, we would still like to see more of the best horses racing against each other in the UK - that is what creates the consumer buzz. Achieving this means more consumer interest, more racegoers, higher media and sponsorship values and a range of other commercial benefits. You've recently been apointed CEO of the Jockey Club. Congratulations. In what ways will that position help you further the Sovereign Series? The Jockey Club has around 50% of Racing UK and has been a powerful supporter since launch in 2004. It is becoming increasingly clear that even greater co-operation across racing media and commercial projects will yield greater benefits to British racecourses. In my new role I will be in the perfect position to develop this, generating greater commercial returns that can be applied for the long term good of horse racing. PART II

How I'd Do It

Seeing that I'm voting for Obama in about 5 months you may think I'm an elitist snob. So, rather than argue that point I might as well put it to good use. There's a ton of posts on this site about how I'd do it, but let's just sum it up in one, right here, right now. The track owners and state horseman are invited to a nice hotel. Upon arriving they are given some nice gift baskets, and liquor... lots of liquor, and then the bargaining comes. Each track states how much they spend for their signals. All that money is pooled together and forms an LLC. The LLC purchases the exclusive signals from every track. The purchase price is based on a formula that incorporates things that are important to the horseman and track (how many days run, avg off-track handle, on track handle, medication, calendar cooperation). Then the LLC sells the signals back to the tracks also dependant upon factors that go into a formula. The LLC would generate money (buying and selling signals) which would pay for the accountants and lawyers needed, the rest of the money split by the owners of the LLC (all the tracks). The LLC, owning all the signals, ensures that every ADW gets access to every race. If an ADW is linked to a TV show maybe they get better rates dependant upon whether or not they show the race, how many TV's it's available on, etc. Exclusive TV rights would be separated from wagering rights. With a full calendar of racing organized by the LLC the NTRA has an easier time buying TV slots and packing in even more races for their shows. Every Saturday starting in July, 2 hours of country-wide racing, a race for every category. The AGSC/TOBA and NTRA join forces to give standings to the new Saturday show. Joe Casual Fan is intrigued. The show is more centered on the racing, and the Breeder's Cup (while it does show odds it's not the focus), and the sport, and all of a sudden advertisers aren't as scared off. They want in. Stars are already in place as every graded stakes race counts from Jan 1st on. The NTRA lines up advertisers with prominent owners (Think IEAH & UPS) to sponsor stables, from 1 horse to 10 horses every horse is covered. Winning circle interviews have a few more ads in them (saddle cloth, jockey pants, cap, NOT silks), but it's not as bad as NASCAR, one sponsor one owner. The money is split between jockey, owners, tracks, horsemen, and the NTRA. Sponsorship of the standings lead to season ending bonuses promoting racing more often and against tough competition. Win and You're In incorporates gate choice with points earned, coupled with a panel to choose 4 horses who may not get in on points alone. And with 3 paragraphs you fix racing. You get cooperation You get increased revenue You get more racing You get more fans And and this could all start with a group of bloggers that prove standings are viable in this sport, and that casual fans do have something to watch.

Under the Same Roof

How can we get this sport to cooperate... for real... and not just in front of old guys who really remember Seabiscuit. Believe it or not there are a few solutions: 1 - Expand Traknet (or something like it) to every track in the nation, and buy TVG from Gemstar. Getting all the signals under one roof in an LLC and then make those members buy the signals back ala carte. You want the signals at a cheaper rate, the LLC works out different levels based upon factors they deem critical to the expansion of our sport (Avg purse/day, # of starters, days run, safety record, whatever you can dream up). 2 - New approach to advertising. Allow advertisers to support whole stables for a single owner. Advertising appears on Jockey pants and saddle cloth. Track gets paid for putting their race on the right day, jockey gets paid for getting the horse to the winners circle, NTRA gets paid for finding the advertiser (and approving it), owner gets paid for owning the horse. Everyone lines up to grab those advertising dollars. 3 - TOBA/AGSC reinvents gradings w/ standings. Tracks want graded stakes, well if they want them they better do what is seen as proper by the owners and breeders of this sport. 4 - Ask Congress to help, in turn create commissioner: Allow sports betting only at tracks (outside Vegas and where currently legal), allow interstate betting only if they form a stronger community. 5 - Well, do you have any ideas? Sounds like they're all tapped out.

Context for NTRA

I mean who isn't talking about this? And now a follow up. Anyways, I wanted to talk about the critical flaw in our sport on a day where it might be easy to explain. How many of us have ever played baseball? Or basketball? Gone in the backyard to toss any type of ball with Dad or sit in his lap and watch the game? 99%, we all had gym at some point, right? How many of us have trained a horse or ridden a thoroughbred - .001%. With 99% of the population there is an innate concept of context for our major sports (baseball, football, and basketball) that comes from our recreational play. A casual fan flipping channels immediately understands 2 strikes two out, bottom of the ninth, or the 2 minute warning. The same can not be said for the sport I love. To a casual fan a $50 Alw looks very similiar to a Gr I $500k stake. The context of our sport comes from either a generational hand down or... well I don't want to say luck, but people have to seek out our sport to say the least. This is why the Stephen Foster will never be on Television. You want to put the Florida Derby on TV, that's easy, contextually it fits in to the Kentucky Derby. You want to put the United Nations on TV, that's not as easy but we're doing it, it's Win and You're In, so that needs a little explaining, but it's coming along. The Stephen Foster..? What's that to the casual fan? To me it's a stepping stone to the Eclipse for Older Horse. I get it. Everyone else; not so much. Win & You're In changed nothing about racing EXCEPT context, it's a brilliant premise. What horse racing fan doesn't know the winner of the Arlington Million will be in the Turf? There may be some long shot fliers along the way, but overall, it's a context change nothing more. Where W&YI comes up short is two fold: 1. It's Win and You're In and You can Wait, it doesn't reward racing. Easily fixed w/ an incentive for gate choice based on standings. 2. It doesn't include the entire season. I get that it would be asinine to have W&YI based on the Santa Anita Handicap, but what if a horse could start earning gate points in every graded stake in the country January 1st. Then when it comes on TV in July you already know where you stand and you have instant stories at any moment in time (like this weekend w/ the Stephen Foster). You put into context what we racing lovers already know. There is a professional level to this sport. Another note of context. In Dana's most recent piece she quotes how proud the NTRA is of Mr. Waldrop's blog getting 32k hits since it started April 10th. Well, just to let you know the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance is hot on your heels, we've gotten 29,747 with not a lot of name recognition. Proof that people are seeking out context! And while we're doing Dear NTRA. Dear NTRA please meet with like 5 of us, there's a few who are near your NY offices, just like 2 hours, we'll put together a presentation for you, covering a few things, Web 2.0, standings, increasing casual fans, marketing ideas. It can't hurt right?

Churchill Downs - The Matrix

From the CD Press release: The Matrix, [a] unique format, which costs a minimum total of $9, enables bettors to name three horses on one ticket, which in turn provides them with 15 combinations featuring those three horses. If any of them wins, two of them run one-two, or all three of them run 1-2-3, the player collects an increasing payout for the number of correct selections.... When the Matrix is played, the United Tote system fractionalizes the total amount of the wager and places an equal amount into the win, exacta and trifecta wagering pools. (The Matrix is not a separate pool wager.) In the case of the $9 minimum, the system actually places 60 cents on each of the 15 bets. So you get that? Yeah, I'm a little lost too, I get it, but then again, why not just make .10 min on all online wagers? I'm glad Churchill Downs is trying new things, but again ignoring the casual fan and embracing the bettor will continue to keep this sport behind all the others. Again for those disagreeing answer these questions: Gambling is legal in Vegas, and yet their motto, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" has more to do w/ illegal brothels and the trouble you can get into there, why? Football is a huge gambling industry, yet the sport shies away from any connection real or imagined from the sport and doesn't need the money it could generate, why? Because ad dollars, a would be cure to racing, keeps away from anything un-family, and promoting gambling is just that.

Triple Crown Bump

Just following up Jess' piece on the same thing. I admit she beat me to the punch in talking about it. How will a horse who wins the Triple Crown and is then retired help horse racing? We already heard that Big Brown burned his heels in the Preakness, this was a concern even before the Derby. Add in that the Belmont will take a lot out of him and $50 million is on the line and I can imagine a Smarty Jones situation where he's always close to being back but never quite there. Horse racing doesn't need a Triple Crown winner. It will be nice, it will secure a lot of press, but if said TC winner is never heard of again, or maybe only once how is that being a saviour? I just don't get the long term saviour thing. It's a bump. That's all we can hope for. The sport must create a league that rewards racing, not retiring. (Nothing against those who retire, I'd do the same thing). This was posted over at the Rail, but was buried in the weekend edition, and I'd love for someone to tell me why it can't work.

It's the Drugs Stupid

First, I believe Eight Belles was not on any illegal drugs nor are any of Larry's horses. I think he's a good guy, and more importantly, clean. However, when theses crisis occur good things can come from them that weren't really related in the first place. I still think Barbaro's injury was due to Brother Derek more than the track, but synthetic only got a fair chance because of Barbaro's breakdown, so I got no complaints, and it's a great legacy for Barbaro. PETA, and everyone else should focus on making race day, and all medications illegal. I'm not sure this had a hand in Eight Belles tragic demise, but if it could help other horses then so what? Unbridled's Song was an exceptional 2yo, and after his Wood Memorial win his owner, Ernie Paragallo said, "He may never lose another race." However, after leading the Kentucky Derby out of the turn he hit the proverbial wall and never won another race either due to injuries or due to the fact that Unbridled's Song (and most of his offspring) was a sprinter miler and that it was only due to Lasix that he was able to carry his body further distances. No lasix and maybe Unbridled's Song doesn't even win the Wood and isn't given a chance to be a sire. No Lasix and maybe Unbridled's Song's offspring are strictly sprinters and rarely given a chance to prove otherwise. No lasix and no matter how hard her jockey whips her, while mentally she might want to go faster, her body does otherwise. No lasix and she finishes mid pack, tired, but with enough energy to get back home safe and sound. Again, I'm of the belief that it was just a freak accident. I do think there's a small chance that mentally she pushed herself beyond her physical limits and that she was so tired physically that mentally she lost it and caused her to cross up, and maybe Lasix allowed her to do that. I don't know, no one will ever know, but I do know getting rid of Lasix and whole bunch of other LEGAL drugs would do this sport good.

No Money No Change - Commissioner Platform II

I'm all for the changes were hearing about coming from both the NTRA and Jockey Club, but I believe it to be just lip service with maybe a slim chance some of the easier recommendations come into play, easier means cheap. I feel this way because people are making money in this sport and why fix what's not broke? How can this sport not be broke? Our greatest stars are dying on the biggest stage. For example, and noted this is a harsh example, Rick Porter lost a great filly, but he still has Rockport Harbor standing for $20k passing on genes that only got him through 8 starts, and he still might have a share in Hard Spun who somehow lasted 13 starts though his sire and grand sire are both known for not getting the most stout horse. He's sad, but would he back any sort of rules for stallions that say they need to start X amount of times or if they show any sort of genetic weakness after a given number of foals they are put out to pasture? Doubt it. So, how can there be a fix if it's not broke? Show people more money and wait for them to start losing it the old way. Eventually the industry of high priced 2yo and pinhooking will die. You can't spend 2 billion on horseflesh and only have 1 billion paid out by the tracks and think this is a growing industry. Also the mounting pressure from PETA (while given they are crazy) and the FOB (while given they are crazy too) have put enough media pressure on these people to make changes. However, while synthetic tracks look like a major change it was the first step in what could have been many and the industry stopped. All these lip service changes we are getting is because, again, the business model while crappy is not broke. However, what would a fix look like: The Fix I've been reading a lot lately, but I'm pretty sure I've read two people that realized the business model is broken and can't be fixed. There are easier ways to gamble out there. Period. End of Story. Get over it. Pitching this as a gambling enterprise is wrong and won't catch on no matter how many ADW's spring up. Those people also note that the best way to pitch this sport is... wait for it... as a sport! Commissioner Platform II (expounding on Platform I)(expounding on plan from 2.5 years ago) Buy the exclusive television rights of all if not most Graded Stakes that run May through October that promise to move their race into a more TV friendly time spot. Create a weekend show that features races across the country w/ a race for each Eclipse category. Incentivize HD cameras and saddle cloth GPS at each track, ban the whip from televised races. Sell show, or even buy airtime on VS. or ESPN news. Use standings to make it feel more as a season, more as a sport, less like Roulette. Get advertisers on board at whatever price they are willing to pay, hire NASCAR execs. Grow the sport of racing and get this business model, which will start in the red, to the black ASAP. Bring track secretaries together to write better coordinated stake schedule Get them talking about floors and ceilings for stakes purses Redistribute money to stakes other than 2yo and 3yo to balance the field Make money, make real change

TVG Keeneland

TVG is going all out to say the least, and like usual Alan beat me to it. And, like usual I want to pat myself on the back because of one sentence in their press release: After the race, fans will be able to relive the action via TVG Broadband’s distribution partnership with Hulu. Hulu.com is the brainchild of a ton of suits for making money on video based content on the internet. They're like what 4 years behind the curve. Anyway, the site is awesome, with my personal PC screen getting bigger and bigger and the quality of video getting better spending 22 minutes infront of the computer tube isn't as bad as it used to be. And you can't beat all the classic sitcoms on there. I want to congratulate TVG for getting on HULU, it's a great site to surf, and it's not a stretch that a few extra eyes will end up watching the race thanks to this. TVG was created to get new fans watching, and for all those of you who complain, "Why don't they just shut up and show race after race," you don't get their mission. Why the pat on the back, cause this is going in the direction I thought it would go. Horse racing is made for streaming video on the internet. Short duration + big library + HD + streaming wirelessly to my tv = Horse Racing back in business.

Pat on the Back

If this blog serves any purpose, and it's doubtful that is does, it's that it allows me to point and say, "I told you so." When I read this article, by the great Ed DeRosa I began to cry (on the inside of course). I'm just starting to realize that the people in charge of our sport our about 2 years behind in realizing things. Probably more. You see, I wrote back in Oct of 05 how slots would not be the answer and these guys are just coming to that conclusion. They probably still enjoy the Apprentice. If anyone, seriously, wants to sit down and listen to some great ideas there's a whole group of us who live in the present, not fairy land present where no horses break down, and millions of dollars show up in the coffers, but the honest to goodness going out of business present, that are all willing to talk.

Open Letter to Jockey Club

Seeing that I got such great feedback on my letter to TOBA & AGSC (read nothing) I thought I'd follow it up with another. Why not right? Dear Jockey Club, Find 5 kids in college, give them free passes to Keeneland or something of small value, and let them check every name that goes into the registry. We all know that there are owners out there who like to pass a fast one by you guys, and in the end it makes you look foolish. Case in point: This past weekend at Fairgrounds (I think) a horse was running called Balloon Knot. Seems harmless, right? It would, if you are a little older and maybe don't have your mind in the gutter like my generation usually does. Let's just say I was killing myself laughing when I heard the analysts on HRTV (especially the woman) say things like, "I like Ballon Knot in this spot" and "Balloon Knot getting some late action." It was worse during the race when the horse was noted as "coming under pressure." Ok, so you guys that don't get it aren't laughing, that's fine. It's probably for the better, but when these names get passed you guys it makes it seems like you are out of touch, and that tarnishes the reputation of the Jockey Club. NSFW definition can be found here. Sincerely, Handride

Racing Saturation

No, this isn't about the quagmire that is Santa Anita. LA Daily News - With horse racing, less could be more I was going to just outright plagarize this article because I believe every word of it and I wish I had written it, but I guess I do have a conscious. So, please read it, it's a good one. --- My mind went numb when I heard that NJ was going to INCREASE racing days while in full knowledge that the purses would be dramatically less. They are still bickering over who gets what, how it gets paid, how they screw the fans. But again, the adage less is more would certainly help Jersey racing, and that's the one thing I haven't heard: an immediate cut in racing days, and why not? It's not like we have a lot of foals to support. If I've learned anything over the course of writing this blog and becoming more knowledgeable about what's going on in the industry it's that politicians rarely fix anything; they are more inclined to "fix" it for themselves to look good. So, I have little hope NJ will be saved in a good way. The thing is subsidies are not lifeblood, they do not cure a patient, they are there to help through a rough patch. Without a gameplan for a viable future w/o subsidies there is no future. I'm not sure when the voting will begin for commissioner, but I'm running.

I Might Have Been on to Something

Saving the Horseracing Industry: Snowboarding - NJVoices: Raymond Lesniak I admit I found this link off Equidaily first. But I think sports gambling should be legalized ONLY at tracks: The clientele is much more compatible with horse racing enthusiasts than the current one armed bandit lovers, it's a draw to get people to the track as TV rooms would be a great hang out, it appears to be a lot less "seedy" than the VLT aura. The best part... I've mentioned it before. He loses me a little on Dubai, and kind of cheapens the argument for me for other he grabbed their attention. The real argument of a shorter boutique season w/ higher purses I'm all for. And yes, if there's a chance for me to pat myself on the back I'll take it.

Commissioner

I figure if some people can turn their position of power into a puppet storage closet (relax you repubs I'm thinking Putin), well than I might as well run for a phony office. Add in, I'm totally bored with everything that's going on in every aspect of the world and I can't think of a better time to be a blow hard about what's wrong with everything. If elected to Commissioner of Horse Racing: Oh, wait first I should link to how I think this power could really come to be. There you go. Ok, if elected Commissioner of Horse Racing this is what I'd do: Sensible racing season - plotting out the major races, Gr I's, and working backwards to grade the preps accordingly. There would be a nice balance between all races and categories. Yes, the amount of 3yo black type will be cut. Work with racing secretaries to make sure not too many same-type races overlap, I'm thinking of you early August and your slew of 3yo derbys. Create Saturdays modeled after the BC with a Graded Stake in each category being run somewhere in the country. Two hour show packaged for TV. That would help get people motivated to cooperate on get on TV. More precise graded stakes - Gr I, II, III, also carry points to create standings. Won't compete with the Eclipse as the Eclipse is more of an MVP award. Purse floors and caps put on Graded Stakes - Purses just aren't the motivation they once were, and no one wants to be the first mover in area like this (think the NHL and salaries a few years back). I would have caps and floors to allow a little discretion and give 1 or 2 exemptions to every track. This would give a lot back to everyone's bottom line and help the secretaries create some new stakes for turf sprints and marathon dirt races or whatevever other crazy crap the BC comes up with. If you think a $200,000 diff in some stakes are keeping these horses running in the first place, I admit you are entitled to your opinion, but unfortunately your opinion is wrong. Ladies' Day will be the Friday BC day - F&M sprint, F&M Turf, Distaff, would anchor the racing while national and local charities are given retail space on the grounds. There would be a female Grand Marshall of the day who helps emcee the races and who gives a keynote speech to kick off the day. New Media and Revenue - Reality show based on the 3 week run up between the Preakness and Belmont focusing on top 3 finishers of each race. (Owners get money for committing to show). Help advertisers connect with our owners, sponsorship on saddle cloths (not silks) for an entire stable no matter where they run. The TV show I talked about early would start in July with standings already in place. Why July? There is absolutely nothing going on in sports in July. Standard Drug Rules - No drugs allowed for horses or people. Anything weird like, I don't know, venom in your barn and you are banned and allowed to transfer horses to assistants for the time of the investigation. If it turns out you can't prove that it wasn't yours you are banned and horses have to be dispersed. Lifetime bans would be commonplace and forfeiture of winnings over a given time period would be levied. Whole purses would be redistributed, that should get the owner's attention. Allow jocks to unionize and help them get group insurance - A LOT easier said than done, but I'd work on it. Maybe have them be employees of the racing congress that gave me the power in the first place. New Tote System - No new bets, but bets will have a new look. Want to know what your pick-4 will pay before the 1st leg, no problem, it's only math for crissake not nuclear fission which is what these a-holes make it out to seem. Odds won't change after the bell rings. I will work with Congress to allow for market type betting platforms where one can take and lay odds. Rebates for big bettors, but I'd help get even bigger rebates for whales who show up on-site. No more slots - I'm open to table games, and I like sports betting (C'mon Delaware, why did Oregon give up, way to go NJ you blew it 30 years ago), but one armed bandit pullers and horse players shouldn't be kept within the same four walls. 6 week hiatus - Listen everyone knows if you're not working you're not making money, but if it's worsening your product then the affect it has is negative not positive. After the Nov 15th see you January 1st. Allows for conferences, secretary meetings, real accounting, and gives everyone a breather. There that's all I can think of for now, but I'm sure people have more ideas. Go ahead and run for phony-commissioner, leave your platform in the comments.

Crystal Ball

You would think some of these people who make top 10 lists every week would use their prognostication powers for good and not boredom. Let me be honest and speak for everyone, no one cares where you had Notional or Sightseeing last week compared to this week. What would be useful, and what has been useful by Bloggers in general is generating ideas, and holding people accountable to their words. So, if you can see who will win the Kentucky Derby why not tell me what the future of horse racing looks like? I sort of posted this question 2 times before and I did get some responses, but on the bulletin boards it turned into warfare like usual about what is wrong w/ the sport, and that no one cares, waaa waaa waaa. So, let me tell you what will be the top 10 innovations in horse racing coming soon. 1.) While fine tuning their bid for Chrysler, Magna realizes they are a car parts company, and not in the entertainment business. Magna shareholders don’t want to keep loaning Frank’s pet projects money and want them spun off. Magna unloads a lot of properties to trim down debt, and then puts up for the sale sign. CDI comes in and buys the properties. 2.) CDI and Magna coordinate their post times and overall stakes schedule. Every Saturday 4pm-6pm there are 5-8 races of graded stake quality covering every category in the Eclipse. 3.) These 4pm-6pm races are picked up by ESPN News and can’t be preempted by Little League Baseball, Bowling, Hockey, Curling, or the Lumberjack Games. 4.) NYRA is bought by the NYRA, everyone yawns at this innovation. 5.) TVG Stays in business while everyone on every board continues to believe that they are soon to go out of business. I didn’t know all these boards were filled with MBA’s. (That’s an easy one) 6.) Tracknet Media opens up an offshore betting hub for only high end players. The technology includes real time odds, multi-bet will pays, automatic ROI tracking, and peer to peer betting. 7.) The NTRA is starting to lose power to the big CDI/Magna gorilla in the room and does everything in their power to stay relevant. 3 out of every 4 BCs are guaranteed at their tracks. 8.) “Win & You’re In” is mentioned for the 2nd time in 2 years and I get excited for no good reason. 9.) Standings are adopted by the CDI and Magna to help promote their ESPN show, but it’s adopted by the NTRA for all tracks, the TBA gets a race named after it. 10.) Horse racing doesn’t so much make a comeback as it just gets healthy, and as it gets healthy it starts to look better. Tracks add HD cameras, finish line cameras, helmet cameras on the jockeys with telemetry added for the big races and big preps.

Charlsie Canty ain't what she used to be

Quinella Queen asked what I thought about this quote from the plan: 'Make our television product more compelling with new in-show formats, crossgenerational talent and technological advances currently in use by other major sports (e.g., improved video/audio, virtual finish line, telestrator, computer-generated race simulations, in-race jockey and owner microphones, etc.)' I think it will help, I don't think they know what the specifics are. But, it's a nice obtuse statement that sounds right. I think step one should be to watch racing from Europe. Their camera angles, graphics are far superior than what we currently use and different than regular sports. I love the jockey silks on the grass display, although I'd like to see the odds included. I think this is much better than your regular box shot with horse center frame and a little box with all the info below. That leads to the virtual finish line which is in full effect everywhere but here. I love whent he horses run over the 400yd mark, then 300 hundred, 200 hundred (Deep Impact is closing!!!) and he's gone by the 100 yard mark. It makes it a lot easier to see the acceleration some of these animals have and I think everyone would like to see it. Same thing with inquiries where in Europe they lay down path lines to see how many paths a horse went etc. It could help our stewards. Crossgenerational talent: Does this mean Charlsie Canty might not be the youngest "babe" on set? I shudder to think. Computer-generated virtual races: I get that you want to explain pace, and front runners and closers but if I see something that's like Grand Theft "Thoro" on screen I'll puke, and the younger kids will know you're trying to get them and they'll go the other way. It has to be done right and look right. If you are about to see real life horses it's kind of weird showing virtual ones. Example: They'll play the Super Bowl on Madden before the actual event and tell you the score, they don't show you play by play footage. Audio; I think TVG's all access is awesome. Not every race does a jockey say something that you want to hear, but to have them mic'd at all times is great incase something does happen. I like it when a horse draws off and the jockey doesn't say a word. I think it better illustrates the connections these atheletes have with one another. Very cool stuff. One more idea I have. Why not film the on air talent making their bets. Or even: If you are bundling days why not have 2 gues handicappers. Give em 5k each and make them bet that any which way they want. Guarantee 5k to each of their charities plus the winnings either guy makes. I think the best kind of stars would be atheletes from other sports (obviously they'd have to be retired) but watching MJ throw down bets and lose or win would bring in a whole nother set of fans. They'll probably end up with the stars of from the shows that are on that channel, but that won't be that bad either. Many are afraid of going up to the window (my wife included) so showing that might take some of the mystique out of betting. Hey, NTRA, i'm full of these ideas, when are you going to drop me a line?

"good grief" - Charlie Brown

ESPN.com - GOLF - PGA Tour to implement four-event end-of-season playoff Yeah, points standings and playoffs won't work in horse racing. How much money is the PGA making off this? That's what I want to know. They're making golf a year round sport with added flair at the end. The "playoffs" will take place over a month not a day and will probably bring back some decent ratings for a dry period for golf. Things I like: The standings are based on a year long performance (not as the TCT suggested a few specific races). It makes every weekend important, even the ones where Tiger and Mick take off. The money seems huge, Mick said he'll play. There will be a 144 players let into the playoff round, and Bob Harig thinks that's too many. Well if you paid your dues all year I think you deserve a shot. And, if you're number 144 it's not like you have a big shot anyway. Things I don't like: uhhh, nothing. They are matching their points against moeny earned and I think that makes sense for golf where they pay days are kind of cosistent, unlike horse racing where we just had an ungraded race, the colonial cup, worth 1 million dollars and the Secretariat a Gr I worth 500k. I'll take our points over dollar based anytime. In other news Brittnay is still a who-ah and the Knicks.... ugh. I'm officially a Nets fan I will never rooting for the Knicks.