Racing has Problems, Racetracks Healthy?

[smalltimer]

Tough to get a lot past this crowd.

You name it, there seems to be some type of expertise on almost every subject among the TG crowd.

From Mello Covello to the sharp tongued few, this board has them all.

Every topic from troubled trips to nasal strips.

[richiebee]

Silver Charm Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sports is about entertainment anymore for those
> who are going to sit, stay and watch. And people
> nowadays  in this generation are always on the go.
> Do you go to McDonalds or Wendys for the
> atmosphere or the food? I think the answer is
> \"that\'s why they built the Drive-thru.\"

One of my great environmental crusades back in the day was to develop legislation
in St. Louis to ban drive thrus. Wasted energy, creation of carbon monoxide hot
spots, all because we are too lazy to leave our vehicles...
 
> Ray Kroc when he owned the San Diego Padres was
> the first owner to introduce Big Bird as a mascot.
> The purist\'s chringed. Kroc was on to something.
> There needs to be more entertainment going on than
> just the game.

Especially if you are talking baseball, where they can\'t seem to finish a nine
inning game in less than 3- 1/2 hours any more.    
>
> There are like 29 Dog Tracks left in America and
> about 15 of them are in Florida. Not a single one
> of them in Florida made money last year.....Derby
> lane is DEAD!!! You have to keep evolving because
> the peoples lifestyle and personality
> change.....try going a week without your cell
> phone!!

Silver, I am a racing purist more than a pragmatist, but 360 days of the year I
agree with you. The racing product has become boring and I would not be offended
if racetracks employ mimes, weightlifters, acrobats, sword swallowers, fire
breathers, and gypsy card readers to help with your multiple race wagers BUT on
the days of the three Triple Crown races and the two Breeders Cup days, the
quality of racing should allow the event to stand alone without distractions.
There is plenty of opportunity for ancillary events before and after the main
attraction, as you well know.