I do not know if the institution of NYRA\'s 250K added Pick 4 had anything to do
with Barry Irwin\'s \"Quad\" proposal, but--
Good idea, well publicized,but with apologies to the US Army, not all that it
could be.
1) How great would it have been if they added 250K to the pot AND reduced the
takeout??
2) How great would it have been if they allowed the bet to be made in $.50
units??
3) How great would it be if the Racing Secretary/ Racing Office really HUSTLED
and USED THEIR IMAGINATION throughout the week to make sure that the 4 races
comprising the wager were 4 quality races, instead of just taking the easy way
out and writing the types of races (maiden and or cheap claiming races and or
state bred races) that they know will draw the big fields that they want?
4) How about condensing the time between races (it does not take the
tractors/harrows as long to navigate AQ\'s inner dirt as it does Belmont\'s main
track). Run the races every 14-15 minutes, 4 races in 60- 70 minutes. Maybe get
TVG (ugh) to cover the sequence each week as an event, forsaking a few races
from Turfway and Tampa (although this would deprive Racing fans the opportunity
to hear the two worst race callers in the country in close succession)(Of
course TVG would have to find an on air \"personality\" who had the slightest
familiarity with NY racing.)
The 250K P4 is a nice idea which has potential. Looking at it in its current
form, Charles Hayward can rest assured that he has no PT Barnums or Bill Veecks
or Charlie O. Finleys on his payroll.