Small owners and bettors

     There is a lot of chatter now on the internet about how horse racing is ignoring its big bettors. That seems to be changing somewhat in that racetracks are belatedly realizing that they need to build their handle. A case in point is the new high roller rooms at Belmont Park. Kudos to NYRA. 

 

     Anytime there is a meeting to discuss horseracing, bettors are never invited. It is almost as if horseracing is ashamed to admit that betting is what drives purses. 

     In addition, have you noticed that anytime there is one of those horseracing meetings, the same old big time owners and breeders are invited? What about the small breeders and owners? They are pretty much considered a nuisance especially by NYRA. Let a small owner try to get comp seats at Saratoga. They are laughed out of the house. 

   By the way, these are the same owners and breeders that serve on the boards of racetracks, Breeders Cups, and breeding associations. Since they have a huge role in the mess that horseracing is today, what makes anyone think that they will be part of the solution?