You’d think trainers would be lining up at the entry box but this year’s renewal, won by Paynter, attracted only 6 starters; hardly a vertical exotic player’s dream and a surprising disappointment to the leadership of the horseman-operated Monmouth meet struggling to stay solvent.
The Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga, run the same weekend, historically has cannibalized the Haskell field. But now that NYRA also cards the ungraded Curlin at the same distance as the two graded stakes, fields shorter on quality and entrants is virtually guaranteed.
One thing seems certain; without slots revenue to fuel purses--a situation to which NYRA could revert—all tracks will have to alter their strategy for funding marquee events.
In a breakthrough if not breathtaking announcement, Churchill Downs introduced a change to the eligibility criteria for its Kentucky Derby. No longer would earnings determine which horses entered the Derby starting gate. Rather, performances in fewer qualifying events regardless of purse size will determine eligibility.
Stronger fields are the expected result for an event in which field size is now never less than excessive. No other race enjoys such urgency of participation among horsemen. It remains to be seen how the purses of the impacted preps will be affected in the future.
However, it’s the relevance of the established system for grading stakes races that is the real victim of CDI’s ground-shaking edict. Indeed the current process is a controversial, subjective one where the quality of competition in actual races is not as important as subsequent performances in fields that may have been diluted by injury and non-cooperative scheduling.
Although perhaps suitable for juveniles, current grading is a better tool for breeding than handicapping--or for qualifying performances for either race eligibility or Eclipse awards.
I can’t argue with those who feel there are too many graded events for the good of the game, especially in the light of steep declines in recent foal crops. If there were a National Horse Racing Commission (NHRC), it could trim the fat from stakes schedules more equitably and eliminate divisional conflicts.
Absent that, the answer may be to ensure that horses are rewarded with purses and graded-based rankings that more accurately reflect what actually happened on the track, and which horses showed up to compete.
We could start by reducing the purses of all graded stakes to the minimum for its current grade and then increment it by an amount assigned to the highest [and/or latest?] graded-stakes Win-Place-Show performances of each entrant.
Now, suppose any stakes race for older horses could receive an automatic upgrade effective when the starting gate opened for a full field of graded-stakes winners with a specified minimum number of winners at levels above the original grading for the race?
Further suppose that any graded stakes race would similarly receive an automatic downgrade if no graded stakes winner at the original level or above were in the field?
With some adjustment, such a system could maintain itself without questionable choices by a committee of breeders. If the horses won’t go to the mountain to compete, let the mountain come to where they will compete and when.
Where is it written that excess leads to success, anyway? Graded stakes aren’t the only races suffering from small field sizes, but motivations differ between connections of horses seen to still have a future and those whose horses only have a present: One could argue that the likelihood of increasing field size by increasing purse size is inversely proportional to the value of the horses involved.
There is increasing evidence suggesting excess leads to even more excess. The industry is awaiting results of a study of breakdowns in low-level claiming races whose purses were elevated by slot subsidies to nearly 5 times their claiming price. The fear is that such reward relative to risk reduces inhibitions to run horses of questionable soundness.
That spotlight on subsidies to horsemen should be shared by subsidies to horseplayers through rebates on wagers placed predominantly on non-stakes races, if only due to their overwhelming numbers: Non-stakes handle is dependent upon racing’s core customers, i.e., the dedicated, the determined, and the deep pocketed; whereas stakes races attract media attention and recreational handle as well.
Excessive takeout, excessive purses, and excessive margins awarded to off-track bet-takers have combined to destroy what was once a symbiotic relationship between horsemen, track operators, and horseplayers. By failing to maintain the delicate but workable balance between takeout, handle and purses, racing’s “leadership” has already lost several generations of customers.
Excessive direct takeout rates enable off-track bet-takers to play Robin Hood in reverse, i.e., rob the “poor” to give to the “rich.” The practice of rebating players selectively based on their wagering volume (and/or state of residence) is based on the premise that a smaller piece of a larger pie is more profitable to the bet-taker. Few foresaw that the pie would eventually shrink because players either fell off the tilted playing field or were turned off by it; never to return or be replaced.
If direct takeout were equally lower for all bettors, more money would be returned to all winners in the form of higher pari-mutuel payoffs. What’s happening instead is that some players are being rebated an amount reflecting a portion of the high direct takeout on their wagers which is “returned” whether the bet itself wins or loses.
The benefits to those recipients are at least five-fold: 1) the effective takeout rate is lower on their wagers, 2) the effective return on straight wager investment is higher, 3) more exotic wager combinations can be purchased for the same actual outlay, 4) there is always something left to churn the next time and 5) a marginally unprofitable player might be turned into a profitable one.
The practice is defended --by its beneficiaries as well as its enablers -- as discounts on volume purchases to their best customers and with claims that the overwhelming majority of players are not profitable anyway.
A friend of mine sees the categories of winners and losers as being in a state of flux--containing most players at one time or another. Such statistics are somewhat dubious. When it’s “winning time,”, whether the game is slots, sports, craps, cards, or Thoroughbred racing, one wants the full benefit of ending up a winner.
06 Aug 2012 at 05:56 am | #
Who’s John Galt? Who’s Indulto? Who are these guys, anyway.
I dunno, but this is what I know: The decision makers in the Thoroughbred industry are breeders and wealthy owners of horse flesh, thus they will always be looking out for themselves via gigantic stake race purses.
Probably 95% or more of all races are claiming or allowance races.
Turf writers over the years have informed the public that certain racetracks, stake races, and a few trainers and jockeys are what Thoroughbred racing is all about. Accordingly, numerous modern, pristine tracks funded by casino dole are operating virtually void of people and handle.
Racetracks currently enjoying casino dole are flush with cash, thus the huge increase in purses that favor stake races; however, this will not last much longer, as state politicians have budgets to balance.
I personally have no interest in the rules that will apply to Kentucky Derby entrants; one race, lasting a bit over two minutes, usually involving wealthy owners’ horses, a handful of trainers and jockeys (the usual suspects) does not make a racing season.
Few stake races have full fields.
A handful of trainers are dominating Thoroughbred racing - turf writer favorites!
I have no qualm with whales receiving a rebate; no different than Walmart receiving a quantity discount - simply business.
Thoroughbred racing has seen better days.
Attendance and handle continue to drop, and most racetracks are on life-support, operating solely on casino dole. So, what are the REAL causes?
To me there are three: a) takeout is to high, b) making money gambling on the horses is very difficult, and c) (the number one reason) people simply do better financially gambling elsewhere.
Stake races, with their extravagant purses, do nothing to create new ‘fans’; all they accomplish is to make three owners, three trainers, and three jockeys wealthier.
BTW, what’s NTRA doing? Wasn’t the organization created to market Thoroughbred racing? Remember Lori and Rip in the cartoons. NTRA could at least be putting Lori’s clip on TV. What’s the Jockey Club doing with the McKensie report they commissioned?
06 Aug 2012 at 05:03 pm | #
What is not mentioned in the above commentary is the profitability of stake races. Are stake races sustainable, meaning do takeout from handle and signal fees cover the purse? One can count on one hand the number of stake races that are profitable in a given year any where in the country; a fact ignored by racetrack management and turf writers.
The question shouldn’t be ‘do larger purses create larger fields and better quality horses’, but ‘will the race be profitable’?
-----
Saturday, Mountaineer Casino and racetrack presented a race card with purses totaling a staggering $1,650,000. On-track handle was $259,358, and off-track handle $2,736,815. On-track attendance was reported as 21,785, thus the per capita on-track patron wagered an awesome $12.
Doing the math it is inconceivable that takeout and signal fees even reached $200,000 creating a financial loss of at least $1,450,000 before the day’s operating expenses. And, this event will occur again next year.
And, of course, Steve Asmussen trained the winner of the two stake races with the largest purses; he also will be back again next year.
“What we worry, we got slots”.
06 Aug 2012 at 11:34 pm | #
I, Nice job once again! Well thought out and written. You are so right, racing is a numbers game.
“Who’s John Galt? Who’s Indulto? Who are these guys, anyway.”
Here’s my WHO BY NUMBERS, if you will…
Who is the Casino Doler?
Who is Shackelford?
Who is Hansen?
Who is Ramon Dominguez?
Who is Mike Smith?
Who is Jim Dandy?
Who is Haskell?
Who is the National Horseracing Commissioner?
Who is Mike Repole?
Who is Richard Papiese?
Who is Prince Khalid Abdullah?
Who is HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum?
Who is NYRA?
Who is the NTRA?
Who is the Jockey Club?
Who is CDI?
Who is Bob Baffert?
Who is Todd Pletcher?
Who is Jamie Ness?
Who is Frankel?
Who is John Pricci?
Who is Steve Crist?
Who is Ray Paulick?
Who are the whales?
Who are the best customers?
Who are the enablers?
Who are the beneficiaries?
Who are the winners?
Who is the profitable player?
Who is Robin Hood?
Who is HANA?
Who is Mc Kensie?
Who is Claiborne?
Who is Three Chimneys?
Who is the Phipps Stable?
Who are the generation of lost customers?
Who gets rebates?
Who gets the takeout?
Who thinks lasix is a good thing?
Who are the stars today in horseracing?
Who are the leaders?
Who is going to make a difference?
Who is going to step up to the plate?
Who are you?
and the beat goes on? Play it again Sam…
I woke up in a Soho doorway
A policeman knew my name
He said “You can go sleep at home tonight
If you can get up and walk away”
I staggered back to the underground
And the breeze blew back my hair
I remember throwin’ punches around
And preachin’ from my chair.....
Well, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
I really wanna know (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Tell me, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
‘Cause I really wanna know (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
07 Aug 2012 at 10:55 am | #
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXmsLe8t_gg
With apologies to Barry Mann:
I’d like to thank the readers of this site
Who make blog pieces worth contributing
Who pays attention when wmc won’t
Who can make sense when wmcs don’t
Who’d make a joke where wmc can’t
Who’s bored by repetition in a wmc rant
Who are those guys?
I’d like to shake their hands
They read a blog piece
With an open mind (Yeah).
When wmc comments
Bomp bah-bomp bah-bomp, bop shoo-bop shoo-bop
Every word seems right out of Mann’s song
So boogity shoo and dip da-dip da-dip
Rama lama-lama lama-lama ding-dong
I know he’ll always be there to repeat
Who-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo?
P.S. Cat, I can’t take credit for the title. Well done, JP
07 Aug 2012 at 09:21 pm | #
Mr. Pricci: Quoting: ‘HRI will delete any comment that engages in personal attacks directed at anyone ....”. Well, if the comments made by #4 above are not derogatory and directed at me, then
you are not sincere, and do not apply your rules to all commentators.
07 Aug 2012 at 11:51 pm | #
Mr. Pricci: Well? Are you going to abide by the rules you posted, or are you going to ignore them, applying the rules at your whim?
08 Aug 2012 at 02:55 am | #
wmcorrow,
Are you that thin skinned? Are you some middle aged baby? Indulto was just having some fun at your expense just like you do to him. There was no cursing or foul language used. Turnabout is fair play. Get over it, have a drink for crying out loud.
Indulto,
Thankyou for your time and effort. I enjoy your work and look forward to reading more about the sport we care much for. I know that you get little or no money for it and do it for pleasure.
08 Aug 2012 at 11:09 am | #
Out of business, Wendell?
Get a grip.
08 Aug 2012 at 06:10 pm | #
Being that this is a “players up” blog, and that Steven Crist has been a big players advocate, I’d like to express condolences to Steve and his family on the loss of his mom Judith.
Songwriters: HAMLISCH, MARVIN .... RIP
Memories,
Like the corners of my mind
Misty water-colored memories
Of the way we were
Scattered pictures,
Of the smiles we left behind
Smiles we gave to one another
For the way we were
Can it be that it was all so simple then?
Or has time re-written every line?
If we had the chance to do it all again
Tell me, would we? could we?
Memories, may be beautiful and yet
What’s too painful to remember
We simply choose to forget
So it’s the laughter
We will remember
Whenever we remember…
The way we were…
08 Aug 2012 at 08:00 pm | #
Cat,
Thanks for your support, I think.
Was that your way of saying my writing doesn’t merit financial reward? LOL
Seriously, not only do I appreciate your having my back, but even more so for showing me how a true poet’s work speaks to multiple manifestations of the human condition. There is indeed beauty and justice in the application of the universalism from such an individual’s work to a new set of circumstances. It must take an incredible memory to support the rare talent that enables you to extract a fitting encapsulation from an extravaganza of entertaining yet unrelated lyrics—attributes that would also serve a handicapper well!
It’s a pleasure to share your satisfaction in finding those matches.
Sadly, only other senior citizens possess any degree of immunity from charges or suggestions of elder abuse by cornered aging manipulators bent on disrupting discussion in other than rigidly-moderated internet forums. All we can do is continue our attempts to entertain our fellow posters; enjoying those moments we succeed in stimulating a a smile and even evoking a chuckle. Knowing we accomplish that for each other is a great way to start the day!
I wonder if Hamlisch was a horseplayer as well.
09 Aug 2012 at 12:58 am | #
And the beat goes on and on and on and on and on…
The lunatic is on the grass
The lunatic is on the grass
Remembering games and daisy chains and laughs
Got to keep the loonies on the path
The lunatic is in the hall
The lunatics are in my hall
The paper holds their folded faces to the floor
And everyday the paper boy brings more
And if the dam breaks open many years too soon
And if there is no room upon the hill
And if you’re head explodes the dark forbodings too
I’ll see you on the dark side of the moon
The lunatic is in my head
The lunatic is in my head
You raise the blade, you make the change
You re-arrange me ‘till I’m sane
You lock the door
And throw away the key
There’s someone in my head but it’s not me
And if the cloud bursts, thunder in your ear
You shout and no one seems to hear
And if the band you’re in starts playing different tunes
I’ll see you on the dark side on the moon
All that you touch
And all that you see
All that you taste
All you feel
And all that you love
And all that you hate
All you distrust
All you save
And all that you give
And all that you deal
And all that you buy
Beg, borrow, or steal
And all you create
And all you destroy
And all that you do
And all that you say
And all that you eat
And everyone you meet
And all that you slight
And everyone you fight
And all that is now
And all that is gone
And all that’s to come
And everything under the sun is in tune
But the sun is eclipsed by the moon....
09 Aug 2012 at 03:49 pm | #
Who is Samuel Clemens?
Hypothesis: What if Indulto and Tobasco Cat were to call themselves John Smith and Mike Johnson?
I don’t get all the fuss over nicknames; it’s the subject matter and content that is either worthy or it’s not, is it not?
09 Aug 2012 at 05:14 pm | #
Thankyou #15,
But to one a nickname that reminds one of a former race horse warrior shows no “balls”. That by contributing with a real name will keep HRI somehow in business?
Did you hear that the Stakes purses for the Fall Championship meet will be increasing. That the Jockey Club Gold Cup purse will be one million. Pletcher, Baffert and Asmussen should just split the “casino dole” up equally. No reason to run the races, the outcome has already been determined. Time for the first Fosters of the day! Play it again Sam! The spin stops here! Maybe I should change my name to The Factor!
Who started me on this beat that goes on?
You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain
Too much love drives a man insane
You broke my will
But what a thrill
Goodness gracious great “balls” of fire!