GuyV (11/07/2009 9:02 AM)
There was no argument. If people think that a lower takeout will save the game, do the experiment I suggested. My only argument was that great racing will draw people to the sport that many think is dying. Heck, a movie about a great horse did so. Once the sport fixes itself and gets people back, then these other things like takeout will take care of themselves. The sport needs a foothold and some power behind it to accomplish things. If the product is so strong that state Gov'ts cannot risk upsetting the sport's consumers, then guys like Alex can get their work done instead of constantly fighting for existence. My point was only that to fix the takeout now is like cleaning the windows of a car that needs a transmission. It's a nice touch, but will it get the car back on the highway? This also brings into play the diversity of racing fans. Some look at horses more as betting interests, like a company on the stock market, where others look at the horses more as athletes and heroes. I am obviously the latter but I have nothing against the former. The sport needs all of us, but at the same time needs to cater to the needs of both fan types. This is not rocket science. Did the investor fans enjoy the betting interests in the Pimlico Special this year? It didn't happen because there is no handicap division. Why would Maryland put out a million to draw last year's derby trial winner? A lot of good a lower takeout does there. Now do you see my point? If not, we will just agree to disagree. To reply to Brian, 1 guy betting $500 paid $2 admission, $2 program, $6 beer. 250 people betting $2 paid admission @ $500, programs @ $500, and beers @ $1500. Those 250 people gave parimutual clerks, janitors, parking lot attendants, ect. a job for the day and helped to keep the sport alive at a greater profit. This is what keeps 80,000 people working every year in Kentucky alone, and keeps 21 training tracks within 5 minutes of my house in NJ around. Because you wish to bet more than others does not make you more important. You are just another guy in the grandstand and when you lose, some of those 250 people you are talking down to are taking your money along with your glorious state gov't. If I were a $2 bettor, I would actually enjoy buying a second beer with the money I won from you. Make that $1506 in beer sold.

nathan varsey (11/03/2009 8:17 AM)
Alex, how can the deal with betfair be kept secret or undisclosed in this day in age. We just read where the TOC claims a right to negotiate simulcast fees. We have a regulatory board that controls horseracing in California. Do they not control third party wagering. What about THG ? Does this mean that betfair can bet on all racing in california? Is this not confusing and This is confusing and full of mistrust for all horsemen in the U.S.

george (10/31/2009 8:03 PM)
GuyV, Your argument about takeout is similar to the argument that weight doesn't matter. You won't be able to tell if a horse is carrying 121 or 126, but those 5 lbs matter. Physics say they matter. If they matter one inch, that could be the difference between first and 4th. Takeout is the same way, you don't really see it because the horse pays what it pays, but its there and it matters. If 100k is bet into a win pool and a track raises take from 15% to 20%, they are skimming an extra 5k off the top. They're taking an extra couple hundred grand per day out of players pockets. People bet less money when they HAVE less money. Same way a horse gets from Point A to point B slower with 5 extra pounds on his back.

Eric Poteck (10/31/2009 9:50 AM)
Hey Alex, I respect your courage in writing this post, and applaud your acknowledgement that 'takeout does need to be lowered'. A big thumbs up. I am however surprised by your comment that, 'We need to explore exchange betting options for U.S. racing'. Betfair has existed for almost 10 years. It has ultimately been well received in each country it has entered. A number of horseplayers have been praising the virtues of a betting exchange! As the leading US Thoroughbred Association I would have expected that you would have started exploring exchange betting options 10 years ago. What are you waiting for? A BIG thumbs down!

Brian Russell (10/31/2009 6:41 AM)
Guy V's comment could have been written by John Brunetti who, when raising takout at Hialeah said something like "who is going to notice a horse paying $7.20 rather than $7.80". I'm going to tell you who, the guy with $500 to win where that 60 cents equals $150. Guy V and Brunetti seem to think the $2 bettor are the most important customers. They are clearly not!