harnessracing.com

Our friend Dean Towers at Pull the Pocket has another good post today arguing, as I have done now for years, that harness racing would be better off centralizing itself than having the government do it for us. Dean made his remarks in the wake of the apparent push in Congress to create a "national authority" that would govern, presumably, the T-bred industry (and perhaps the S-bred industry as well).

The choice couldn't be more clear: either we clean up our own house or the bureaucrats do it for us. Now, I am not one of those who necessarily believes that the government is the problem to all of the nation's ills. But I think it's reasonable to presume that we have a better chance than federal legislators and administrators of creating a working structure that factors in the disparate interests our industry holds.

Do you agree? Let me know. And have a great weekend.

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Dean said...

Art Modell, former owner of the Cleveland Browns said that a commissioner got "30 fat cat Republicans to vote socialist". He was referring to revenue sharing, which by all accounts made the NFL what it is - the most successful sports league in World history. 30 multi-millionaire "fat cats" all with vested interests voted for and listened to one voice.

We're supposed to believe that we can not get things like uniform whipping rules passed through a commissioner for the sport of harness racing?

Do we deserve to survive if we can not get something that other more fractured businesses get done as commonplace?

posted at 12:02 AM on Jun 22nd 2008

steve t said...

Yes I understand the obsticles involved, but isn't the threat of the Feds and all of their red tape enough to push state govs to start being serious about this idea? Realistically if the states will work it out they stand a chance of keeping some of the income from licesnes, racing commsion fines etc, but if the Fed gov steps in they can kiss all the money good bye. I believe it has happened that very way before.

Also another question in the states that are loosely connected to other forms of gaming (lottery, casinos, VLT's) how will that be governed if the Feds are in charge?

posted at 5:07 PM on Jun 21st 2008

CarolNJ said...

A Commissioner is a fine idea but, as others have pointed out, the chance of each state racing authority and the racetracks themselves relinquishing any power are pretty slim.

This doesn't mean the effort shouldn't be made but a "toothless" title is likely, I fear, the result of any step in that direction.

When one speaks of unity in this industry -- well, I'd just be happy to see the sbreds and tbreds agree on and use the same colored saddle clothes/pads, coordinate post times, upgrade video and web presentations that include universal free streaming of races, subsidize free downloads of programs ... well those should be the basics.

From Andrew: Thank you, Commissioner Hodes, for your input :)

posted at 12:17 PM on Jun 21st 2008

Jared Daley said...

My colt (New Revenue) is the Jersey bred. I think he was scared of all the lights and noises, and he was out in the nine hole and ran behind the gate. We'll try with him again in the next leg. He qualified really well last week so we won't give up on him yet. My filly (Marquee Nights) is a NY bred and her first race is not until July 9.

We will need a little luck tonight, since we are in with UpfrontHannahsboy. At least we didn't get the outside post again. When will Share The Delight race again?

From Andrew: Go DDO. STD is slated to race next Saturday-- either at Yonkers or at Vernon. And from there we shall see. Also two of our babies, Brass Band and Perfect Wave, make their debuts this Wednesday (I think) at the Big M Baby races.

posted at 8:59 AM on Jun 21st 2008

Paul Siegel said...

It's a no-brainer that harness racing should create a central governing body, but it's hardly a new idea. Will we be any more successful in accomplishing that goal now than we have over the past 20 years? How are we going to convince the individual states to give up their regulatory power (and the bureaucrats to give up their jobs)?

I'm not saying we shouldn't try, but I'm not optimistic about the chances for success.

posted at 11:10 PM on Jun 20th 2008

Jared Daley said...

Let's discuss what a commissioner would do.

This person would need to persuade all of the various jurisdictions to adopt a unified set of rules. One licensing body, not each state (the states won't want to give up that fee income I'm sure), because right now the individual licensing for each state we happen to be racing in can be a royal pain. Some states participate in the National Racing Compact, some do not. Maybe a revenue sharing program with the states would entice the states to get out of the licensing and turn it over to the Nat'l Racing Compact. Enforcement of rules would be much easier. A trainer busted in one state couldn't jump to another state and continue business as usual.

The candidate for commissioner would also need to be a leader who loves the industry, has the business savvy to come up up with a long term strategy for profitability, including looking at new ways to present our product. They would need to be a marketing wiz or be able to hire a marketing team.

The commissioner would need to urge race tracks to look at innovative solutions by trying new things. Race tracks need to move into the 21st century. Repackaging our product, and focusing on getting young people involved in all facets of racing is very important. Where do we find this person? Who will pay this person?

A newly formed National Horse Racing Authority? ( or do we include Canada?)

From Andrew: Hey Jared. All fair questions. I think a Commish would have to do all of these things, and more! BTW, good luck tonight at Northfield. I will be watching and rooting. How did your filly do the other night in the NJSS?

posted at 10:39 PM on Jun 20th 2008

Harness Industry Should Be Proactive on Commish

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