Free Stuff For The Breeders' Cup

Do you want free Breeders' Cup past performances?, simple, go to the Breeders' Cup website (bottom middle) and download Friday and/or Saturday's card.

For just about everything else free, go to About Horse Racing's Breeders' Cup page and you can link to videos of prep races, news coverage, handicapping info, and much more.

You can also check out Breeders' Cup Youtube page.
There is even a video about Chantal Sutherland who rides Game On Dude in the Classic (as she tries to become the first woman jockey to win that event). She is considering Playboy (as long as it is tasteful...personally, I've never seen a Playboy spread that wasn't tasteful):

She better hurry up and do Playboy as she is getting up there in age:)

Free past performances are very important to an industry that is plummeting while trying to keep old customers, and attract new ones.

Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance has a free past performance feed that picks up around a third of all the races in the USA and Woodbine.

Many harness tracks in Canada have free past performances: Flamboro Downs, Fraser Downs, Georgian Downs, Kawartha Downs, Mohawk/Woodbine, Rideau Carleton, Western Fair, and Windsor Raceway.

Another decent initiative is one called USTA Strategic Wagering. Partnered up with TrackMaster, free past performances for specific guaranteed pools each day are available.

And for my Breeders' Cup Classic pick, I am going with So You (Never Been On The Dirt Before) Think on top of Stay Thirsty, Prayer For Relief, and Ruler On Ice. I can't see Uncle Mo at all. First, the mile and a quarter seems way too far for him, and secondly, there is too much early pace. I can see him packing it in and finishing in the bottom third very easily.

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Chantal Sutherland Not Only Not Guilty, She Was Innocent Too

There is a similarity between the OJ Simpson trial and the Inquiry result of the 2011 Santa Anita Handicap, both OJ and Chantal Sutherland were proclaimed not guilty. However, unlike OJ, Chantal Sutherland was innocent as well.

It took Chantal Sutherland winning the biggest race of her career for me to watch an entire race from California this year (ahem the takeout hike), though I didn't watch it live, I was still interested enough to view it on Youtube after the fact.

My first reaction was to side with DQing Game On Dude because Sutherland whipped the horse with the left hand at the time of the alleged foul. But thanks to Youtube, and the ability to stop the video frame by frame, you can clearly see, that although Game On Dude carried the competition a little wide around the turn, during the stretch run, Game On Dude did not even move out an inch. Don't believe me? Check the distance between the horse and the rail, or check the tractor tracks on the race course. It was Twirling Candy who came in ever so slightly, knocking Game on Dude off balanced. This made the second bump, which was more noticeable during the race, a non factor.

Here is the race with the full inquiry film:


Admittedly, I've always been a Chantal Sutherland fan. But I am not being biased here at all. The Stewards got it right.

I'm also a strong believer that if the Stewards can't make a conclusive call within around 3 minutes, the results should stand.  I also now think that their results should never be overturned, even if new evidence is presented.

I read a comment, by a knowledgeable horse racing enthusiast (it might have been on The Paulick Report), that stated calls like this should be deemed no different than calls made by the referee under the hood in an NFL game. If there is not enough evidence to overturn the play or the race, the result on the field or track should stand. Even though referees have been known to blow the call under the hood, the results of the play still stand forever, as does the score of the game, etc. And there is probably a lot more money on the line during some of these calls than any horse race, even if it has a million dollar purse.

Back to Chantal. She is back on Twitter (JockeyChantal). Her Tweet the night before the big race:

So excited to ride for Baffert tomorrow in the Big Cap! Watched the re-plays and I'll be tuff.....put your running shoes on :*) 8:17 PM Mar 4th via Twitter for iPad

Her last Tweet, she compared herself to Charlie Sheen:

Felt a little like Charlie Sheen when the crowd was booing me during the post race interview...but "I'm a winner" 11:23 AM Mar 6th via Twitter for iPad

Up to the big race, Chantal has been a little off this year. I checked her stats last week, and she was only hitting around 5%. She is definitely more of a Poly or Turf jock.

Oh, and if you still haven't had enough of Ms. Sutherland. She does have her own website: Chantal Sutherland Jockey/Actress/Model.

Too bad Two And A Half Men (Chantal's favorite show) looks like it is toast. Imagine Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen) picking up "actress" Chantal Sutherland (playing herself as a jockey) at the track and then taking her home. The jokes would write themselves. It might not be realistic though, because at 35, Chantal is too old for Charlie.

Her age doesn't seem to hinder her true fans though. I still get a lot of blog hits on my Chantal Sutherland Nude...Not Yet post from a couple of years back.


Pull The Pocket has a very good post up "Will We Ever Have Customer-Focused Policy In Racing?"


The Thoroughbred Times has a free preview of their new Canadian horse racing edition. There is an article on Fort Erie by Perry Lefko. The Editor (at the start of the issue) states Fort Erie is located in Eastern Ontario. Could be worse. He could have said it was located in Eastern Canada. For those who don't know where Fort Erie is located, Sarah Palin could say she could see Fort Erie from her backyard (if she lived in Buffalo NY), and she wouldn't have got any flak for it.

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Can The Horse Racing Industry Get Together On Payoff Prices?

Yes, we all know that horse racing is one of the most dysfunctional industries on this planet today. Different State and Provincial laws don't help. Drug A is allowed in some States but not others. Some jurisdictions have new whipping rules, others do not. The list goes on. But can't racetracks agree on the way they report payoffs?

Guessing at what payoff prices or probable payoff prices are based on, are yet another needless inconvenience that horseplayers have to deal with.

Whether you are looking at the payoffs on TV from the direct Delaware feed, for example, which doesn't state the base used for Pick 3's and other exotic bets, or whether you are betting at your favorite ADW and looking at the results or probables, bettors should not have to do research to figure out what they are looking at.

How hard is it to get all racetracks on the same page on this one little thing? Does it take a Central Organization to be created first? Can Equibase perhaps get it done, or does the Horseplayers Association of North America have to save the day on this one?

An informal survey was started at Pace Advantage.

The question: How would you like to see all tracks report their payoff prices?

To date, one can see from the results that there is no consensus on what is most desirable and this could be the cause of the problem in the first place as various tracks are owned and run by a whole slew of different individuals and entities (not too many that are in tune with the customer base, I might add):

1.All Payoffs Should Be Based On $2 Wagers 20 27.03%
2.All Payoffs Should Be Based On $1 Wagers 15 20.27%
3.Whatever The Minimum Is For The Bets 22 29.73%
4.$2 Payoffs For WPS, EX, DD, P6 $1 for all other bets 10 13.51%
5.I don't really care 7 9.46%

Basing everything on $2 wagers leads to misleading prices on supers and other exotics where the pool might have been won with a 20 cent ticket.

Basing everything on $1 wagers leads to problems when it comes to $2 minimum bets like California Pick 6's or Moutaineer Daily Doubles. And of course, $1 WPS payouts won't fly with most bettors, at least at first.

Using the minimum bet is probably the idea that makes most sense. Almost everyone, if not everyone, knows when a 10 or 20 cent superfecta is offered, regardless of whether they had a $1 ticket or a dime ticket.

The fourth option is good as well. Historically we know bets are reported on the basis of $2 for WPS, Exactors and Doubles. And if everyone was on the same page regarding $1 Superfecta, Triactor, and Pick 3 payouts, it wouldn't take long for this method of reporting to be accepted.

I think any of the methods above, if announced, would be acceptable. But one thing is for sure, the way it works now is a complete pain in the butt for most horseplayers.



Bet Night Live On The Score

I'm in a giving mood today so I'm going to sort of help promote something *gasp* Woodbine is doing.

In an effort to get more people (especially young people) interested in betting on horse racing, they have tweaked their show on the Score to be more focused on betting horses.

I caught a bit of their harness edition on Monday night. I think adding Laura Diakun as a main host was a good move. She is cute enough to keep at least a few males interested in what she has to say.

It was a pretty good move to do a story on Serge Savard as well, since The Score obviously attracts a lot of hockey fans. We'll probably see a feature on Rod Seiling and whats his name, the guy who used to score lots of goals for the Maple Leafs and was also a regular bettor at Woodbine on his days off....oh yeah, Eddie Olczyk.

The contest they have is also a good one. Each Bet Live race night, horseplayers can bet $6 per race (in races 2 through 5) in an effort to win a $600 Grand Prize.
The $6 is actually bet into the pools, and it can be wagered on any betting type (I didn't read the rules completely, but the way I see it, that means Pick 3's and Pick 4's as well, which could cause a problem in declaring a winner before they go off the air). UPDATE, apparently the rules state WPS, Ex, Tris or Supers.

Another foreseeable problem is that the winner each night could be someone who just plays triactors. And lets face it, for newbies that could be very intimidating. And how long before newbies do an internet web search and find out that the TRACK TAKEOUT ON TRIACTORS AT WOODBINE IS A MIND BLOWING 27%?

One thing they are doing is funding each new HPI account with $24 to play the game first time around (for new customers only). This should attract a new customers.

But of course, the biggest problem is keeping the new customer, and getting them interested in playing the game long term. And this is just impossible thanks to high takeout rates. You need winners to entice today's young crowd. That is why Betfair and online poker have shown enormous growth.

There has to be a reason to learn how to pick horses and bet them. The game has to be perceived to be beatable, and false claims will not fly. There needs to be real long term winners, even if there are just a few. These winners will serve as a carrot stick for newbies.

Right now, there just isn't a reason for a potential new horseplayer to start up. Why should a person put in all the effort it takes to learn how to handicap and bet if they know they have no chance to win long term.

Horse racing is a great game. It attracts thinking gamblers, but along with the thinking, there needs to be an opportunity for long term victory.

Takeouts need to be reduced, especially at tracks like Woodbine and Fort Erie who clobber their customers with some of the highest takeouts in the industry.

To play in the contest, you need to enroll (only once for the year). Click here for details.



Woodbine Bias Report
Same old same old, though I'm noticing the rail is a bit better this year than last, winning jockeys don't really want to risk whether a bias is there or not.
Early speed still sucks at Woodbine most of the time.



Sans Sousi Appeal Denied
Last year, the day after the more humane whip was made mandatory in Ontario, Chantal Sutherland made a boo boo, and used the old whip.
Her horse wound up winning the race, however, two days later the Stewards disqualified the horse from purse monies.
I believe the ORC ruled correctly in this denial ruling. This type of thing probably will never happen again.
As far as the owners go, Sans Souci finally won the same condition earlier this year, so it could be argued that financially, they are more or less where they would be had Chantal used the correct whip in the first place.

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Fort Erie Race Track Faces Uphill Climb

New Management For Fort Erie Will Try To Wake Up The Community That A Track Exists

I'm positive Jim Thibert is sincere about making Fort Erie a success, but isn't his fault that he is missing the point. He has surrounded himself with horsemen and people who have been part of a failing industry. Kind of like getting a stock tip from a guy who has no shirt.

Better quality horses for a track that averages $12,000 a race in purses will at best be marginal even if Steve Asmussen brings some horses to race. And it really isn't worth it to have pots taken away from foreign owners as the local horsemen will suffer even more than they do right now.

In fact, maiden special races and allowance races that attracted Stronach horses in the past, were amongst the lowest handle betting events on the card. Horseplayers would rather bet on a competitive $5,000 claiming event with 12 horses than a 7 horse fake allowance race.

Field size is key, but again, because purse size is limited, it will be a struggle to card races with enough horses consistently that will attract more betting.

John Whitson, the new temporary racing secretary might have lots of horse racing experience as an exec, but he hasn't been a racing secretary for close to 40 years. He'll find out that despite his best efforts that he won't be able to improve field size that much over last year, if at all. Competition looms large from Presque Isle, Mountaineer Park and Finger Lakes.

Other new managers have been hired, and others will be hired in the near future.

As for community involvement. I don't think there is anyone in Fort Erie who doesn't know a track exists. More community tied events may get the numbers of patrons up at certain times, but until the issue of Fort Erie's ridiculously high track takeout is tackled, I don't expect new horseplayers to be created.

Thibert is talking like horsemen are the main thing that makes or breaks the game. They are not. Not even close. It is the bettor that pays for track operations and purses. The more they bet, the higher the purses, the higher the quality, and eventually, the bigger the fields.

Today's new gambler is not the same gambler from the 70's and 80's. The worst thing Fort Erie could do right now is ignore this fact. Horse racing executives need to disassociate themselves from horsemen groups when it comes to decisions about how to attract customers.

For too long, horse racing makes decisions based on how they think bettors should behave and react, or even worse, how they want bettors to behave and react.

The best way to find out how horseplayers tick is to ask existing horseplayers. HANA (Horseplayers Association of North America) has published survey results that was answered by close to 500 horseplayers.

The number one issue to existing horseplayers is high takeout.

Fort Erie's takeouts are amongst the worst in North America. Lets compare them to the best, Keeneland (which has no alternative gaming to boot):

Keeneland WPS 16% All other wagers 19%
Fort Erie WPS 16.95% All other wagers 26.2%, except triactors which are 28.2%

Even the California Lottery now gets it. They just announced they are lowering the takeout on Scratch tickets:

"There are more prizes to give out, so people are going to win more often," said lottery director Joan Borucki. "When people win more often, they feel like playing more often, which in turn will increase sales, and as sales go up . . . our contribution to education goes up."

More about the California decision compared to the stubborn mindset of horse racing execs and horsemen at HANA's Blog(I wrote it so it is worth reading).

The other thing Fort Erie needs to do is get a Beulah-like bet going. As I explained in a previous post, I think a $1 Jackpot Pick 5 would do it. Speaking of Beulah's Fortune Pick 6, there will be a mandatory payoff on Derby Day. The carryover pool is over $400,000, and it is anticipated the pool will double on that day. It might even hurt the handle for the Kentucky Derby by a small amount.


The Queen Of Fort Erie is making a comeback. Francine Villeneuve will be riding at the Fort in pursuit of 1000 wins. She is 66 wins away from that goal. She hasn't ridden since 2006, but she really knows how to ride at Fort Erie and should be amongst the leaders there in the jockey standings. Beverly Smith mentions Villeneuve in her latest article about Chantal Sutherland.


Steve Crist has a new article up on the potential good riddance of the NY OTB's.
No one likes to see the loss of 1300 jobs, but the OTB's in New York state are dinosaurs. They are just not needed. Not only is everyone who attends these scuzzy joints capable of betting from home or at the track, but these patrons have been getting fleeced for years with surcharges. Even though the players pay them, it does affect their psyche, and helps kill horse racing and kill handle as bettors become more and more convinced that horse racing is strictly a losing proposition.

Crist stated that the proposed solution will have nothing but an adverse effect on horse racing:

"The solution proposed by OTB is to reduce its payments to the industry even further, which - like the takeout increases it has repeatedly gotten to avert previous crises - would only continue the downward spiral of racing."

Conversely, if the OTB's shutdown, these horseplayers might find themselves playing at ADWs that offer bonuses instead, like Horseplayersbet.com and if that happens, will see a boost in handle and more confidence from horseplayers.


Woodbine handle is still in the dumper. Yesterday they did a pathetic $1,362,091 in total handle compared with $1,562,826 a year earlier. Again, I expect purse cuts to be announced soon. Woodbine is completely stuck on stupid when it comes to the idea of lowering takeout.

Woodbine announces the addition of 1,000 slots
Seems like a con job to give horsemen hope, and maybe delude racing execs in thinking the future is brighter than it is. Unless there are times that there are no slot machines free, how does the addition of machines help. Revenues from slots were down 2% last year, which indicate a leveling off. The bottom line is that slots will make less than they do right now on average, but I don't see how the addition of slots will bring in new lost money by customers.

Sure, table games and sports betting will bring in new money....but more slots?


Australian Charged With Laundering Gambling Funds Of US Gamblers

Between February 2008 and March 2009, Tzvetkoff's company Intabill allegedly processed more than $540 million in transactions between US gamblers and internet gambling websites, disguising transactions to the banks so they would appear unrelated to gambling.

Eye On Gambling Website Owner and Wife Die In Apparent Double Suicide
Police have ruled out foul play, and it has been speculated that the suicides were due to gambling losses, though this hasn't been proved.

Ken Weitzner contemplated suicide four years ago.

No love lost from online news rival, Majorwager.com's Russ Hawkins:

Hawkins, who openly despised Weitzner, his main competitor in the gambling news website biz, wrote: "Not really sure what to say here. I think that those of you who know me personally know that I never gave into Ken's bullsh%@.

"In fact, I spent a good deal of my time trying convince people that he was a con man of extreme proportions. Nothing has changed. Clearly he conned his wife into suicide--a wonderful mother by all accounts and fantastic grandmother.

"My sorrow is with Jackie's family. Ken had none. He had a Mother he leeched from...I have nothing more pleasant to say, so I won't."

HANA's Track Rating Resource: Great For Horseplayers And The Industry Alike

HANA (Horseplayers Association of North America) has published their 2010 Thoroughbred track ratings. It is a great player and industry resource, with sortable columns for up to date track takeout for most wagers as well as sortable columns for things like handle per race and field size. The current blog piece is a focus on tracks with the lowest takeouts.

It is pretty amazing that 12 of the top 16 track's with the lowest takeout score have no alternative source of gambling. This isn't true when it comes to the bottom ranked tracks, which are dominated by tracks that have slots. Woodbine and Northlands Park tie for 58th spot out of 69 tracks when it comes to highest takeouts, while Fort Erie finds itself pathetically in 67th spot on the list, bettering only Suffolk Downs (68th), and Assiniboia (69th).

The industry is not taking HANA's work lightly lately. It is in panic mode, and I think the message that it is the horseplayer that is the customer, and only the customer, is beginning to become a reality, and it is about time the industry find out how the customer thinks, and works with that knowledge instead of the old way which is how the industry wants the horseplayer to think.

HANA is getting lots of press. Check this out.

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Gaming revenues in Nevada jump almost 14% in February
So what is horse racing's excuse? Total handle on US races declined over 6% in March. That followed double digit declines in January and February compared to the corresponding months the year before.

Horse racing has still not bottomed out yet, and still, next to nothing has been done to address the pricing of the bet, in order to compete and grow again. Proving once again, that racing is one of the most, if not the most, dysfunctional industry in the Western world.

Cutting race days or purses is a band aid solution, and as this trend continues, horse racing will become less of a concern, not only by the public, but also regarding government subsidies.

On a related note, if Woodbine is not careful, they will soon have their slot subsidies questioned, as more and more American outfits usurp the Canadian outfits thanks to Woodbine's effort to attract Americans by carding American bred friendly races such as B Allowance races. And more importantly, not carding Ontario bred claiming events and even worse, continuing the new practice of not allowing the owner of a newly claimed Ontario horse run for the full purse.

It is almost like Woodbine is telling the owners, go get a superior Kentucky bred, bring it here and race it. It is a lot less risky than buying an Ontario bred either at a sale, and of course, unless you think a newly claimed Ontario bred can win an Ontario sired allowance race, don't even think about claiming one.

There are two existing components of growth for betting: The existing horseplayer, and the existing owner. Owners and horseplayers are the one's who will likely expose newbies to the game (friends, relatives, and sometimes coworkers and neighbours). The horseplayer in Ontario has been ravaged for years by high takeout. Many have left to play poker, Betfair, or are now wagering offshore with bookies or rebate shops. Now the horse owner and breeders are really feeling Woodbine's corporate mentality of trying to attract more quality (even though studies have shown that quality means very little compared to pricing when it comes to handle). We are seeing less and less new Ontario owners come into the game through partnerships or as lone entities, and it all boils down to Woodbine having little understanding of who the real customer is.

Forum Question: If you won a $5 Million Lottery would you continue to bet on horses? Not one NO so far. Horseplayers sure are either passionate and/or addicted.


CHANTAL'S BACK

CHANTAL'S FRONT

Seriously though, Chantal Sutherland is back at Woodbine. She is listed to ride a couple of horses this afternoon (Friday) at Woodbine.


Beulah Park's 25 Cent Fortune Pick 6's jackpot has climbed to $307,465 going into Saturday. You can bet it here, if you live in the right State.

Chiming in On Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra, and Jess Jackson

Since almost everyone has an opinion about Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta, I figure why not share mine. Unless, Rachel Alexandra hurt herself or has a physical ailment that has been hushed up, Jess Jackson proved that he is a first class egotistical doofus.

Strictly from a handicappers perspective, horses generally improve off their first back from a layoff if that race was not a stellar performance. From what I understand, Zenyatta did something like a 102 Beyer, and Rachel did a 100. Both horses are capable of improving off those efforts, but the fact Zenyatta won means she is more likely to bounce a little (meaning she may not improve as much as Rachel Alexandra next time out, if at all, and may even decline a little).

Reports were that Rachel Alexandra was 80% going in, and Calvin Borel was told to ride her like the race was a prep. OK, the way horse racing works for most horses is that if a horse is 80%, then runs a route race, especially, there is a huge shot that in three weeks, the horse will be anywhere between 90-100% going into the next race.

Rachel Alexandra running style is perfect for a dirt track, while Zenyatta's style is perfect for a track made from artificial substances. It is a huge if that Zenyatta can even be a Grade 1 horse on a dirt track, because stone cold come from behinders generally only do well if suicidal fractions occur (though Zenyatta did win the Apple Blossom last year against average to fast early fractions, it is rare for horses to kick in every time consistently). It is sort of hit and miss. In other words, on the dirt, Rachel at 90% would most likely have beaten Zenyatta at 100%. The reverse would be true on a plastic track.

Horse racing desperately needed this match up, it would have been fantastic momentum that would be carried through to the Triple Crown and then possible rematches between these two exceptional mares.

And who knows if one match up will ever happen now. Horses get hurt. It is a fact of life. Schedules don't have to mesh again this year, and each of these two horses are one bad step away from retirement.

Jess Jackson now joins Frank Stronach and David Willmot as well as many others as being very bad for growing horse racing in the Big Ego and Little Else Club.

I agree with Bill Finley most of the time, but he is out to lunch in his latest article where he says that passing the Apple Blossom was the right thing for Rachel and Jess to do.



Rumour: Chantal Sutherland Engaged To Mike Smith
Roger Stein reported this on his radio show yesterday (early on in the broadcast). He wonders if Sutherland will come to Woodbine to race, though last reports are that she will. But there is also a rumour from a few sources that she will ride at Del Mar come July.

If she does wind up doing this it will be a huge blow to Woodbine, because she is one of the few bright spots Woodbine has to offer.

Financially, she would be much better off riding at Woodbine, but once in a while love overrides income.


Fort Erie backstretch opens today. Opening Day coincides with the Kentucky Derby which is May 1st this year. No news on who is going to manage the place July 1st.


Almost Missed This Story Entirely (From March 10th):

Windsor Raceway is in the market for a new race secretary after Paul Brown, who has held the position since 2006, had his licence indefinitely revoked by the Ontario Racing Commission. Although no details for the cause of Brown’s suspension were released, an ORC ruling issued Feb. 10 indicated the suspension went into effect Feb. 1 and by order of the ORC, Brown may not submit a licence application for at least two years.
The ORC is also involved with an investigation into alleged race fixing in the state of Michigan. Last week, Michigan State Police executed search warrants at three homes relating to alleged race-fixing at three Michigan tracks - Hazel Park Raceway, Northville Downs and Sports Creek Raceway. Though the police said in a statement that as many as 30 people could be involved in the alleged scandal, according to an industry source, only one person was taken in by police and that person has since been released from custody. “The (Michigan) Gaming Control Board is in place to ensure the integrity of our 75 year old family industry, and we applaud their efforts to eliminate participants whose actions tarnish the reputations of thousands of hard working Michigan families that call horse racing their way of life,” Michigan Harness Horse Association president Brett Boyd said in a statement on the MHHA web site. At this point, there has been no indication that any Ontario horsepeople or Ontario track is involved with the investigation, although several Michigan horsepeople race regularly at Windsor Raceway.

For some reason Standardbred Canada looks like they missed it.


Harness Horseman Gets 20 Years For Shipping Meth Ingredients to Canada and the US



OK, lets leave today's post on a light note. Two very funny scenes from Seinfeld from the episode The Subway:


Classic Kramer whipping himself during a race. Every true horseplayer has done this at least once in their life:

Handle Up: Why Woodbine Bucked The Trend

Woodbine execs probably know better, that their recent announcement about the handle increase for 2009 for thoroughbred racing, isn't as good as it seems, or maybe they don't.

"All-sources handled totaled $361,435,208, compared to the $337,660,570 from the 167 dates in 2008. The daily average handle this year was $2,164,282.....Most of the $23.7 million increase came from U.S. sources. TVG, the national racing channel, offered Woodbine racing for the first time beginning on June 19."

Now let me give you the rest of the story.

Handle at thoroughbred tracks in North America in 2009 will show a drop of around 10% when final numbers come out in early January, so Woodbine's increase of 7% was against the trend.

Bad economic times is most likely to blame for the drop, however, even during the economic upswing prior to the bursting of the bubble, horse racing was barely holding steady from year to year when it comes to total handle.

So why did Woodbine do so seemingly well? There are a few reasons, and all of them helped.

1. Being featured on TVG definitely increased Woodbine's exposure. Horseplayers tend to bet races that are shown on TV. When a track gets featured, players become more familiar with the horses, jockeys, and trainers.

2. Probably the biggest plus for Woodbine was that they were not involved in signal blackouts, and other games that were being played out in 2009 by racetracks and horsemen groups. Woodbine's signal was available at every major ADW in the USA without disruption. When a player can't bet on a certain track, they will gravitate to another track. Tracks like Woodbine and Delaware were major benefactors in 2009.

3. Woodbine's seeded Pick 6 experiment caused handle to increase during its short run, and may have helped Woodbine's long term exposure in the USA. Woodbine lost money on the deal, and even with the increased handle and exposure, their bottom line has suffered.

4. Field size of 9.1 horses per race (up a little from 2008) is attractive to almost every bettor on the planet. It leads to bigger payoffs. And if a bettor hits something really big, he or she might actually overcome Woodbine's monstrous takeouts (their Win Place Show and Exactor takeouts are reasonable in today's market, but that isn't what I'm talking about here).

5. Mine That Bird put Woodbine on the map in a few more households in the USA in 2009.

6. $2 million races might help with exposure a little bit. But horseplayers collectively are more into bigger fields and reasonable payouts in the long run. When you do the math on days that have the big races, sure handle is up considerably, but the reality is the track loses a lot of money on those days if one looks at their cut of takeout versus what they give out in purses.

7. CHANTAL SUTHERLAND! The series Jockeys put her on the map. Male bettors (and maybe a few female bettors too) are all aware of her stunning good looks now. The fact she was the second leading rider at Woodbine this year, and brought home some nice prices, especially earlier in the year, definitely got more Americans playing Woodbine. I get lots of hits daily because certain individuals search "Chantal Sutherland nude."

8. Woodbine dropped their takeout on triactors from a whopping 28.3% to a whopping 27%. Now this probably didn't get US players to play more, however, the limited details announced regarding Woodbine's handle seem to indicate that domestic handle was close to even versus 2008, and dropping the takeout definitely helped. The increased payouts Canadians received when cashing triactors were most likely churned back on Woodbine races. Not so much in the USA, where players were more likely to churn the monies back into a race at another venue. As an aside, is it coincidence that tracks that increased their takeout in the past 18 months or so like Calder, Aqueduct, Belmont, Pimlico, and Laurel have seen high teen decreases in handle in 2009, almost double the trend?

9. Another thing that prevented domestic (on track and HPI account wagering) numbers from following the downward trend in North America was the fact that Woodbine were reportedly more aggressive in giving more of their biggest bettors large "secret" rebates in order to keep them from betting offshore or with a US ADW (most don't take Canadians, but some do) and even perhaps Betfair. This definitely increase churn on their own product domestically, maybe even by enough to make up the difference of losing 10% versus staying even in domestic handle. I know that when I receive a rebate in the neighbourhood of 7%, my handle increases three or four fold. But keeping big customers doesn't increase real growth. What Woodbine needs to do is give their smallest players the same rebate. It will keep them in the game longer, and then and only then do you have the foundations of growth. See "The Pie" over at the HANA blog.

10. Woodbine appeared in the US version of the Racing Form. Of course, this will help handle. It is amazing they were only up 6% when considering everything on this list.

Lets keep things in perspective here. Woodbine's $2.1 million daily handle isn't very good when compared with Hawthorne's $2.7 million daily handle. Hawthorne gives out less than half the purse money Woodbine does, so it deflates the racing quality argument that Woodbine likes to make. Hawthorne is available not just at major ADWs but all ADWs, especially the ones that give larger player rewards that savvy bettors tend to flock to. Hawthorne having a traditional dirt surface probably helps Hawthorne's cause at least a little as well.

There is also no mention about whether betting was up or down when it comes to Woodbine's customers playing other tracks. My guess it that it is down. Their practice of ramping up takeouts on triactors and superfectas, etc. at many US venues, which wind up shortchanging Woodbine/HPI customers, can only hurt them in the long run. Many players will avoid such bets, and may inevitably be driven offshore by Woodbine's utter callousness on this issue.

Woodbine with their quasi monopoly on Canadians should be doing a lot better. Perhaps, with David Willmot finally stepping down and being replaced by a younger and brighter individual (Nick Eaves), more betting incentives and initiatives will be made to attract more Canadians to play the horses.


For more on the topic of Woodbine's increase, which includes comments of players who either like or dislike betting Woodbine check out the 3 pages of comments at Pace Advantage. Here is a sample, by this dude named Dean:

"I lost respect for Woodbine several years ago when they raised their takeout from 14.75% to 25% on their pick 4. They did not tell anyone; it was a takeout raise of the worst kind.

But, their product is good, and this year let us remember that they offered out that huge seeded pick 6 (probably not a good idea with a $2 pick 6 and lack of whale money) but they did offer that low take bet. If next year they offer out a reduction in take, or a few other horseplayer centric items, I will gain a lot of that lost respect back (just personally as a player).

I think about six years ago now I think it was Maury Wolff, or maybe Andrew Beyer; they were speaking of Tampa bay downs. The quote from them was something like "excuse me about Tampa but with their huge takeouts I don't think they want me as a customer"

But now look at Tampa because they lowered takeout (and have for several years) and had a sea change in horseplayer respect. A lot of players love Tampa for what they have done and their handle is doing really well.

Anyhow, long winded crap from me that tracks can change and earn some respect, imo. All they have to do is try."

What Happens When Takeout Rates Go Up?

ECONOMICS 101: TAKEOUT
HANA has a link to a bizarre takeout increase that occurred at a now defunct dog track.
The legislation notes that expected revenues will decrease, including amounts that go to the government, thanks to the takeout hike.

"The bill is anticipated to result in a decrease in General Fund revenue of $27,000 per year and a decrease in revenue of $23,000 per year to the municipalities that host pari-mutuel and off-track betting facilities. This revenue loss is due to an expected decrease in handle of 4% from the Plainfield Dog Track, the Bridgeport Dog Track, and Connecticut OTB. Total handle is anticipated to decrease as a result of an increased takeout rate (1% on WPS, and 3% on exactors) because there will be less money returned to bettors for re-wagering."

I found this gem from Barry Schwartz:

Found this interesting tidbit from 2002:

The THOROUGHBRED TIMES reported, "Total commingled handle at the three New York Racing Association racetracks has surpassed $2-billion so far this year, increasing by more than $200-million, or 10.4%, over the handle registered at the same time in 2001." The handle on NYRA races has reached $2,128B, with NYRA Chair Barry Schwartz attributing the surge "to the takeout reduction that has been in place since July 25, 2001," which has "returned an additional $46.4-million to bettors." Additionally, Schwartz credited the NYRA's new media efforts, including wireless technology initiatives, for the increased handle (THOROUGHBRED TIMES, 9/28/02).

NYRA went ahead with a 1% takeout increase across the board in April of this year. The increase was planned well in advance, so they had a chance to stop it. The result of the hike? The last meets at Belmont and Aqueduct are down about 17% in handle, a much higher than the industry average.



Test for Mircera (CERA) has been developed

ADR officials said CERA was developed by the Swiss research-focused healthcare company Roche to help patients with certain kidney diseases and anemia. Like other blood-doping agents, it boosts red cells in the blood so they deliver more oxygen to muscles.

The drug lasts longer and requires fewer injections than EPO. Human competitors have recently tested positive for CERA, and it is widely believed the drug is being used as a performance-enhancer in equine sports, officials said.

I wonder if this means some high percentage trainers come back down to earth. Especially high percentage absentee trainers. They might wind up having to actually train horses again.

No time line is given on when testing for CERA will commence, or in what jurisdictions.



Chantal Sutherland to represent Canada in Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific International Jockeys’ Championship on December 9th.


Group of horse owners trying to keep harness racing alive in Quebec


CTHS Winter Mixed Sale see nice increase in gross prices
But before getting too excited, the average horse went for $5,364 compared to an embarrassing $3296 last year. How much does it cost to feed a horse a year?
And if you take out Kentucky Bear, who sold for $100,000, the average would barely be $4,500.

And lets not forget, this sales is totally propped up by sales vouchers which are accumulated by winning connections throughout the year. The actual new money pumped into the sales is laughable.


Last weekend, Woodbine informed the parking staff that they will be outsourcing the parking lot and that they will no longer have jobs comes early January.

Employees, many who have been around for over 7 or 8 years (some over 25 years), were given a severance check, and told their benefits, including their pensions would be toast.

They were also told that there might be an outside shot that the new company in charge of parking MIGHT hire them.

More cost cutting by Woodbine. Trimming jobs (so that executive bonuses can be intact?). Last year, Woodbine got rid of all talking heads on their HPITV channel.

Woodbine Entertainment continues to be an ineptly run old boys network, completely out of touch with their customer base.

Stewards Shouldn't Have Thrown Out Marsh Side

Stewards Flipped The Coin And Got It Wrong In Northern Dancer
Unfortunately, on this Youtube video you don't get to see the head on (you can if go to Cal Racing or HPI replays), but the disqualification of Marsh Side was a bad call. There was no apparent bumping between Marsh Side and Quijano, and both jockeys were hitting with right hand while moving to the inside in tandem. If anything, Quijano would have squeezed Champs Elysee regardless of whether Marsh Side was in the race or not. Again, if the Stewards have to look at a race for more than two minutes, they should let the results stand.

The eventual winner had the common sense to get away from the rail as his jockey anticipated the tight quarters. Champs Elysee did get shut off, but I have a problem blaming Marsh Side for it.
I am pretty sure that this call will be overturned, and the bettor who picked the best horse in the race, will wind up getting screwed.

Also, Andrasch Starke, who rode Quijano must have forgot about the new whipping rule in Ontario. There were actually quite a few violations in both the Northern Dancer and Woodbine Mile. I wonder if fines have been handed down.



Steven Crist kisses Woodbine's butt, disses horseplayers in the meantime by failing to mention Woodbine's high takeouts.

Crist likes that Canada doesn't run that many Grade 1 stakes. The fact is that we can't, even if we wanted to. They do their best now to schedule these events at times when there is not that much competition to compete against. Whenever Canada was forced to compete, they drew sub par fields.


Crist is not all bad. At least he wrote an article that slams horse racing for still allowing breakage in today's computer age. How much does breakage cost the horseplayer? Read this.


Assiniboia Handle increases 38%. Most likely due to increased exposure at ADWs that offer rebates. Many bettors are avoiding the bigger tracks that try to prohibit their signal from going to rebaters. The smaller tracks are winning this war.

Woodbine had a $5 million handle day on Sunday. But lets not forget Friday when they couldn't even crack $1.5 million. They wrote a race specially for Jambalaya's return. The purse was over $90,000 and it attracted $61,766 in betting. They sure know how to run a business, don't they.


Slots in Ohio just took two steps backwards.


NYRA At It Again
NYRA has yanked live signals from ADWs like HPI and NJBets. For the real dirt behind the move, read this thread on Pace Advantage.


Horse is somewhere between a girl and a boy
Caster Semenya, Tuscan Abbe, and Arizona Helen. I wonder if Rachel Alexandra has been checked lately:)


Is it me, or does it appear that the morning line oddsmaker at Fort Erie doesn't give many Daniel David and Nick Gonzalez close to enough credit? There seems to be a few horses that went off at pretty low odds that have been 12-1 or 20-1 in the program that are either ridden by David or trained by Gonzalez. And most of them looked like they should be one of the top three program selections.


"Slots and OLG In Their Own Little World" according to Fort Erie of the Fort Erie EDTC. Listen to him here, as he discusses the proposals he dropped off to the Ontario government.


Justin Stein Appealing Large Suspension and $2500 Fine For An Outburst That Would Have Helped "Jockeys" Ratings Soar
I first read about this on Jen's Thoroughblog in the comment section:
On September 7th' seventh race Justin Stein's mount, Sincerely A to Z, was clipped at the head of the stretch causing Stein to fall off. He was in a sandwich position, and to me it wasn't Chantal Sutherland's mount (Diplomatic Impact) that caused the clip. A long inquiry ensued as Chantal finished second or third, but the results stood.
After the race, allegedly Stein called Sutherland all sorts of very rude names.

The Stewards decided to suspend Stein 25 days and fine him $2500, which he is currently appealing.

After the suspension was announced, three days later on Saturday, in the 9th race, Sutherland was on the favorite on the grass (Soul of Nataka), and patiently waited for room. Meanwhile Stein was on a long shot (Caledon) who seemed to be waiting for Sutherland to try to get by. He came over on Sutherland's mount at the head of the stretch, and Sutherland's mount then came out causing some of the field to fan out. Sutherland's even money shot wound up romping, and there was no inquiry, which I found weird.

It is dangerous to be a jockey. Emotions run high, as does jealousy. Chantal Sutherland is the best thing that has happened to Woodbine in years, but she shouldn't be over protected either. I'm sure male jockeys call male jockeys some pretty ugly names at times, so I don't see why a female jockey should get special treatment here or that male jockeys should get an excessive punishment over something that happens during the heat of battle.

Replays are available at Cal Racing and HPI.






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Ontario's First Whip Violation A Doozy

In my last posting I was wondering who was going to be the first jockey to violate the new whipping laws in Ontario. I did mention Chantal Sutherland who has been fined before for excessive whipping on at least a couple of occasions. That being said, I it still came as a complete surprise when I read Jen's Blog yesterday and found out that Sutherland was the first culprit, but it wasn't over whipping, but for USING THE WRONG WHIP.

Maybe Sutherland has been too busy modeling on her spare time to realize that the old whips were banned. Maybe she just forgot. But in the second race, she used the old whip and today this morning there will be a hearing going on to decide whether the purse will get redistributed. As luck would have it, Sutherland and her mount crossed the wire in first position in an allowance race.

The Toronto Star interview from Jen's Thoroughblog with my commentary attached:

Under the new “urging rules”, each rider must carry the kinder ‘cushion crop’, featuring a much softer end of the whip (“popper”) or their horse will be disqualified.
**************************************
Disqualified before the race is official or disqualified from purse monies? When did the track officials learn about this?


But because none of the three O.R.C. or the paddock judge or clerk of scales noticed Sutherland carrying the old whip, Sutherland’s mount, favoured Sans Sousi, was declared the winner of the $66,800 allowance race for betting purposes.
“We were made aware of it by a couple of other trainers after the race,” said steward Bill McMahon. “I am shocked that this happened, we are not happy about it.”
**********************************
Not happy about it? Look at the bright side, now protocol will now be in place, that should have been in place in the first place. I realize what Sutherland did was not anticipated, but it will not happen again because the judges now will make sure it doesn't.

McMahon said there will be a hearing into the matter on (FRIDAY) to determine if Sans Sousi, owned by Thor Eaton’s Eaton Hall Farm, will be disqualified post-race and lose the $40,080 winner’s share.
***************************************
Trainer Mike Doyle is having a train wreck of a year. He had a couple of wins on Wednesday night, but I can't see any justification to keep Sans Sousi's number up unless there is a loophole in the rule.

“I realized my mistake on the way to the gate,” said Sutherland. “The gate crew gave me another whip that they had there but it was not a cushion crop either.”
*************************************
This is an ugly admission. I have a feeling it isn't going to pay to be this honest. Sutherland knowingly raced with a banned whip and at least one person on the gate crew knew of the problem as well. They could have easily called upstairs and delayed the race by a couple of minutes.

Sutherland, the second-leading rider at Woodbine, said she accepts full responsibility.
**********************************
Well d'uh.

“It was totally my fault, I forgot,” said Sutherland. ‘I apologized to everyone. I hope they don’t disqualify the filly.”
*********************************
I really don't think there is any chance the filly won't get DQ'ed. It is too late for the public, though Sans Souci would have won even if Sutherland used a fly swatter.

More bright side: Sans Souci gets to keep her non winners of three Ontario sired status and should be a cinch to get that condition before the year is out if she came out of the race OK.

As for Sutherland's punishment. I hope they aren't too hard on her. She is the best and maybe the only marketing plus Woodbine has right now. Taking away her 10% of the winner's share and a stern warning would be fine by me and probably the rest of the public, except for maybe jealous wives and girlfriends who probably want her banned from Ontario:)

I'll update the blog when/if I get the results from the hearing.

OK, here is the update: The owners of Sans Souci got the shaft. Their horse was DQed from the purse....buh bye $32,000 plus. Chantal also received a whopping $200 fine.


The National Post needs journalists who know more than next to nothing about horse racing: Jockey may lose $40,000 prize for using banned whip

The mistake is not just in the headline but continues in the story as well:

Officials with the Ontario Racing Commission are expected to decide today whether Chantal Sutherland, one of Canada's top jockeys, with more than 400 first-place victories to her name, should be disqualified and stripped of her $40,000 prize.

*******************************
For the two of you who read my blog and don't know, the jockey gets 10% of the winner's share of the purse, so Sutherland stands to lose $4,000, and considering the fact she pays her agent 25% and is probably in a very high tax bracket, her net loss here might be around $1,500 to $2,000 tops.


Is Woodbine Entertainment Looking To Turf HPITV?
Just wondering after finding out that a poll question pops up after logging into one's HPI account asking if you subscribe to HPITV through cable or satellite.

First, Woodbine got rid of all their TV commenters on HPITV late last year, and now I bet they are looking to cut more expenses by getting rid of HPITV. Their rationale would be that bettors can now view any race they want on the internet so why have the expense of a TV station as well.

Again, I'm only speculating here, but if true this is just more confirmation that Woodbine is a terribly run business.

They pretty much have a monopoly on Canadian bettors who want to wager into parimutuel pools throughout North America. They have tremendous exposure through HPITV, the internet, and The Score and SunTV. Yet, they have turned their players completely off by having a corporate philosophy of taking as much money from the player as quickly as they possibly can.

Woodbine had a perfect opportunity and still does, to lower takeout substantially and actually compete with offshores and Betfair (where the big Canadian betting money has rightfully gone). Instead, they continue to have a collective takeout that is in the highest range in North America.

If Woodbine needs to cut expenses, how about just getting rid of the old school leaders within? They have killed horse racing in Ontario for the player, by making it impossible for a player to last let alone win.


Must read: An Interview With Cary Fotias

“Lower the takeout, dramatically! The game will never grow without a lower takeout. And anyone who doesn’t understand that didn’t pass Economics 101. This industry has never been run in a free-market environment. The politicians and bureaucrats that are stifling this game have no idea where the laws of supply and demand meet to maximize profit for owners, trainers, the state and local government. They don’t have a clue. They just don’t get it, and the people who do get it don’t have the power to make it change.”

Fotias goes on about many issues plaguing the industry right now, and he offers solutions. He also mentions the Horseplayers Association of North America, where he is a board member (like yours truly).

To become a member of the Horseplayers Association simply fill out this form, it is free and we need YOU. The more members we have, the more clout we have. As Pull The Pocket points out, horseplayers do not have a seat at the table, and that is why racing is dying.


Was Fred Pope joking around? It is hard to tell at the Paulick Report. He sure had horsemen eating out of his lap before he took too much heat from horseplayers and others who really understand the game.

Lots of good discussion in amongst the 100 plus comments. Of course, I chimed in calling Pope's idea ludicrous (even the one he admits to), as he basically wants the US to have what Woodbine/HPI has, and we've seen what Woodbine has done with the power. In other words, follow Pope, and racing will die faster and harder than ever before.


GREAT NEWS FOR BETTORS AND EVEN HORSEMEN
Paulick isn't sure if he is the reason why Equibase, Brisnet, and Thoroughbred Sports Network are now offering FREE ARCHIVED HISTORICAL CHART RESULTS to all members. Brisnet and Thoroughbred Sports Networks allows members to go back as far as 1991, while Equibase goes back to 1999.

Daily Racing form still charges $2.95 for historical chart results by card. I wonder if they are going to keep that going. I mean you have to be brain dead to buy a chart from them. But then again, the racing industry relies on the brain dead:)


Theocrats In Ohio Trying To Prevent Ohio VLTs With Lawsuit Don't these dudes know about separation of church and state?


Forterieracing is now on Twitter. Elissa Blowe and Daryl Wells Jr. give fans the heads up as well as their well meaning WIN 4 picks daily.


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THIS JUST IN
Press conference regarding the Fort Erie Consortia Proposal for the Fort Erie Race Track.
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Time: 9:30 am – Press Conference
Location: Holiday Inn Fort Erie
*******************************************
I can't see this being grim news. I expect, considering the timing and the location of the press conference, that something very positive regarding the future of Fort Erie will be announced. Is Nordic finally gone? Has the place finally been sold? Has the Consortia extended the lease of the track? If so, who pays if the track loses money?

Fort Erie Still Not Sold

For the past 8 years, since moving to Fort Erie, I've heard numerous rumours about the sale of Fort Erie. I'm sure offers have been made, in fact, I know offers have been made. But no offers have been accepted to date.

Nordic Gaming has historically overvalued the racetrack. The asking price has dropped, but like an unsavvy investor, who bought a stock that dropped well below what it is was once worth, Nordic is unwilling to unload at today's prices (they seem to be chasing 2 year old prices), even though they don't want the stock in their portfolio anymore. Nordic continues to want more Fort Erie than what the market is willing to pay for it, so Nordic continues to hang on to it. Pretty simple stuff.

According to a newly issued press release by the Ontario HBPA, there are a couple of interested parties kicking the can and the Fort Erie Racing Consortia is also looking into leasing the track long term.

I don't know how they can afford to lease the joint, IF in fact, the track really does lose money.

I wonder if Great Canadian Gaming is one of the potential suitors. They are a well run company, but I can't see them overpaying for the Fort.

So basically, it might as well be February all over again, as there is nothing definitive regarding racing at Fort Erie......the only thing for sure is Ajax Downs will have a 5 eighth track ready to go next year.



Canadian Man In Deep Doo Doo Over Internet Gambling

A Canadian man was indicted this week in the United States on fraud and money laundering charges after he allegedly processed more than US$350-million in online gambling payments, highlighting the cat-and-mouse battle that pits law enforcement agencies against the intangible world of Internet gambling.

Douglas Rennick, 34, who lives in Canada, faces a maximum of 55 years in jail and must turn over US$565,908,288 in monies reaped through the alleged financial conspiracy that saw millions of dollars funneled from a Cyprus bank to two accounts in California.

He is alleged to have tried to disguise the transactions to distribute gambling winnings to U. S. residents.

Why was Chantal Sutherland taken off her mounts on the weekend, and didn't ride yesterday? Lets just say, it was just a hiccup.



Breeders Cup Gets Tough On Drugs....sort of

In addition to the crackdown on steroids and Class 1 and Class 2 drugs, this year's Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita (Nov. 6-7) will include out of competition testing for EPO (blood doping) 10 days before the Breeders' Cup and TCO2 (milk shaking) testing in the detention barn before all 14 Breeders' Cup races. A failed EPO test would render the horse ineligible for the race and the trainer open to suspensions. Failed tests for TCO2 will mean purse redistributions and suspensions. The latter two testing policies were introduced at the 2007 Breeders' Cup at Monmouth Park.

*****************************************************
This is pretty much an admission that there is an EPO/DPO and milkshake problem still plaguing the industry in a big way.

The test for EPO should be specifically 10 days from the race, but it should be done anytime, and without warning to all entrants, or potential entrants from 30 days to after the race. Savvy trainers (amateur pharmacists) can easily work around pre-determined test dates.

I don't agree with the author's attitude towards penalizing the owner. The trainer yes, the owner, no, unless there is proof that the owner had knowledge of the use of the illegal substances.



The NTRA Comments On The Menendez Bill
Some key points in the bill:

# S. 1597 (Section 203) amends the tax code to eliminate the automatic 25% federal withholding on pari-mutuel winnings of $5,000 or more (incorporating tax legislation also known as the Pari-mutuel Conformity and Equality Act, or PACE Act).

# S. 1597 (Section 206) raises the reportable amount for pari-mutuel winnings from $600 at odds of 300-1 to $1,200 at odds of 300-1, in line with the reportable dollar amount for slot machine winnings.
******************************************
Considering that almost every horseplayer who doesn't get substantial rebates loses money in the long run, withholding and tax reporting is ridiculous, and an out and out tax grab. Plus it takes potential churnable money out of the pools.

This is something that Canada understands, and it is good to see it as an issue in the USA finally.

One thing that I don't understand fully is how poker is considered a skill game, but sports betting seems to be left out of that definition in regards to this bill.



Youbet handle up, profits down



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Chantal Sutherland Has A New Web Site Join HANA

I know that many people just found this link by searching "Chantal Sutherland." I am being up front here, letting you know that I am exploiting this fact by also trying to talk you into joining the Horseplayers Association Of North America (HANA). If you are a horseplayer, I see no reason why you shouldn't join.

OK, first, like I promised in my post title, here is a link to Chantal Sutherland's new web site. Thank me by coming back and joining HANA (I know you might not be back here for a half hour, but I'm patient).

If you are already a member, tell your horseplayer friends to join. Send them the following link in an email: http://www.jcapper.com/HANA/SignUp/HANASignUpForm.asp?source=1 and you can add Chantal's site too if you wish: http://www.jockeychantalsutherland.com/ . You can also simply email this blog post.

The cost of joining the Horseplayers Association of North America (HANA) is free, but we need bigger numbers to have more clout. Currently we have just under 1200 members (including over 200 from Canada). Here is what one of the HANA founders stated, on the Pace Advantage Forum, about HANA, to someone wondering why he should join:

HANA is what it is. There are no secrets, no magic answers, or magic questions. Horse racing has tried to hoodwink its customers and treated them so poorly for at least three generations that the last thing any horseplayer organization should do is the same.

If you want lower prices so horse racing can compete with other games, and bring new gamblers into the fold and grow the sport, you would be at home in HANA.

If you are tired of seeing racetrack executives that have absolutely zero knowledge of gambling in charge of this game, and want to see new blood, or the old blood expelled from this control, you have a home at HANA.

If you are tired of seeing old time deals, like the data deals which bend horseplayers over the barrel, making them pay thousands of dollars a year for the privilege of giving 25% of each dollar bet to play and support racing, you have a home at HANA.

If you are tired of seeing "tote delay" on your screen because of 1978 technology and no one standing up to do anything about it, you have a home at HANA.

If you are tired of seeing multiple rules violations being treated like a misdemeanor, while seeing treatment of said violations in innumerable ways by jurisdiction, you have a home at HANA.

If you disagree with that stance on those issues, and similar ones, you would not feel at home at HANA. It really is as simple as that. We are not everything to everyone, and would never try to be. We are here for horseplayers, and here to help grow the game of racing, promoting a sea-change in thought, and a sea-change in the way this business has operated.

The business has been run into the ground the last dozen years due to the intransigence and lack of expertise of its leadership, and it is time that it is stopped. In any other business they would be long gone by now, but in horse racing, they need to have that control pried out of their monopolistic fingers.


To join HANA, simply fill out the form here:
http://www.jcapper.com/HANA/SignUp/HANASignUpForm.asp?source=1



You have absolutely no obligation to do anything after you join up. Your participation is valued, but absolutely not required.

The board members do have a weekly conference call every Wednesday night, so if you have an issue you think we should look at, there are many ways to get in touch with us.

HANA has a web site: http://www.horseplayersassociation.org/

HANA has a Forum: http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=61

HANA has an email address: horseplayersassociation@gmail.com

HANA has a blog (really, you check it out): http://blog.horseplayersassociation.org/

HANA also has a Yahoo Group we support: http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/handletalks/

HANA has also put together the most up to date track takeout chart on the internet:
http://www.horseplayersassociation.org/hanatrackratingsbytrackname.html

Again, join HANA, and check out Chantal's website too:)

And don't forget to tell your friends to join as well.


Woodbine Handle for Queen's Plate day up 5.85% from last year

Not sure if Queen's Plate was held on Father's Day last year. But the figures are still impressive in light of the fact that handle has been down around 8-9% almost everywhere in North America so far this year. Did horse racing finally hit bottom?

The increase could be partly due to Woodbine's new agreement with TVG, but more probably is related to their new Turbo Charged Pick 6. Players who normally wouldn't handicap Woodbine yesterday may have made selections, and then were compelled to bet on the individual races besides betting the Pick 6.

$140,000 was added to the pool yesterday in new money bet. But it was hit. Without the $150,000 Woodbine put in, they may have got $10-$20,000 into that pool because it was Queen's Plate day and there would have been a small carryover to begin with. Unfortunately for Woodbine, someone hit it yesterday so they will be putting in another $150,000 next Sunday to Turbo Charge the pool.

So, assuming that this betting gimmick didn't get bettors to play other races (which is probably a bad assumption), on the surface, Woodbine lost around $120,000 so far. It is early though. Lets see what the future brings.

Queen's Plate Prediction & Chantal Sutherland's New Web Site

First thing is first: HANA Pool Party Continues Today
Free past performances (thanks TrackMaster), pace figures (thanks pacefigures.com) and Thorograph for the 7th race at Monmouth is available by clicking here. We opted for a state bred conditioned route race with 11 horses. We would have gone with a grass race, but Mother Nature told us not to.
Energy Crunch, out of post 11 looks like the horse to beat, but he has been off over 40 days. I'll probably be keying Max Hazard first and second in triactors and supers.
Thanks to Equidaily for the Pool Party plug


QUEEN'S PLATE PREDICTION
Tough race, especially since the two fillies have much the best speed figures going into the race. Milwaukee Appeal, is the probable favourite. I successfully picked her in the Oaks, but I'm anticipating a bounce tomorrow, and I'm leaning towards the runner up in that race, Tasty Temptation (the other filly) to win the Plate.

She made a huge move only to flatten out a bit in the stretch in the Oaks. I really like this angle when it comes to horses getting in shape and when they go further off these types of performances, they tend to do very well. Her jockey, Patrick Husbands owns Woodbine right now.

You have to give consideration to Rapid Release because trainer Roger Attfield just knows how to win this race. This one is set up for a peak effort tomorrow. But his best effort may not be good enough to beat the girls.

My long shot is Keino West. If the pace collapses, and in these type of races, it often does, he'll be coming to pick up the pieces. He reminds me of 1986 Plate winner Golden Choice, who was a maiden and won the race back then. Keino West is no maiden, but the way he prepped in the Plate Trial was very similar to the way Golden Choice prepped going into the big race.

I'm not convinced on Eye Of The Leopard. I just think he fluked into the Trial win and he may bounce off that race, but then again, I thought last year's winner, Not Bourbon couldn't get the distance in. In other words, I'm wrong.........a lot.



In what might be the biggest story in horse racing this year, Chantal Sutherland now has her own web site.

Most of the site is a gallery of pictures ranging from racing pics to her Vogue spread.

I'm debating whether to download the Chantal Screensaver.

Here is a pic of Chantal with Illinois based jockey Inez Karlsson:



Speaking of web sites, a worthwhile one has popped up: Permanent Disabled Jockeys Fund


Latest Chad Beckon Update

'Beckon's agent, Tony Esposito, said the rider was still under heavy sedation but was breathing on his own after being taken off a respirator. Esposito added that a CAT scan scheduled for Thursday was canceled because of swelling in Beckon's brain caused by outer cranial bleeding.

Beckon also fractured his cheekbone, nose, and two vertebrae, but Esposito said there was no sign of spinal damage.'

Gary Cruise has moved his tack to Hastings



Fort Erie announced yesterday to their backstretch that they will try to fill 9 races instead of 8 on Mondays and Tuesdays. Lately they've been getting handle of around $800,000 for those days, and another race that happens around 5ish would most likely add another $150,000 to those totals.


Article on current leading trainer at Fort Erie, Daryl Ezra

"One thing I do is to check out the track bias, and if one exists then I let the jockey know the preferable path to be on," he (Ezra) said. "Of course, the pattern of the race can restrict a rider from getting to the ideal path, but when the opportunity is there, it can make that little difference that can mean so much in the final result."

TVG has signed a deal to broadcast races from Woodbine; not everyone is happy with TVG over it
In the HANA section at Pace Advantage, PA member InsideThePylons commented:

HANA should let TVG know that what they have done is bad for all horseplayers
TVG has signed an exclusive with Woodbine/Mohawk and are going to be promoting them heavily in the future.

This is a horrendous precedent that will be bad for the game and bad for every horseplayer.

TVG, as usual, will be promoting......

P-6's = 25% takeout
P-4's = 25% takeout
P-3's = 26.3% takeout
Supers = 26.3% takeout

Thankfully TVG doesn't really promote trifectas at a whopping 27% takeout

While some people will say, so what, it doesn't matter. I don't bet there.....It matters a lot. It is a huge step backwards in trying to send a message that lower takeout matters and should be promoted. It takes more money out of circulation for ALL tracks now that more bettors will be exposed to these tracks for the first time and lose a % of their churn factor to the criminal takeout rates....etc.

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I couldn't agree more!

I think the public is more aware than ever, thanks to the efforts of HANA and blogs like mine when it comes to high takeout rates. Even with the new exposure, Woodbine only did $2.3 million yesterday in handle, even though they carded 10 races.

The public is avoiding or treading lightly when it comes to betting on high takeout tracks.

If you aren't a HANA member, please join up, it is free, and the bigger the numbers we have, the more clout we have.


Pull The Pocket praises Woodbine for their new Pick 6 gimmick
He doesn't think it will work. I do. At least, it will bring in some bigger handles for Sunday racing that will more than pay for Woodbine's cash influx, I believe as I stated in my previous post.

I do want to see the Pick 6 pool to do well, because like Pull The Pocket, I want to see tracks succeed when trying new innovations that are pro-bettor. But I'm mixed about any additional action in other pools Woodbine will gain because of their ridiculously high takeouts on most of their exotics.



Kentucky passes slots bill
From Paulick Report: What happens next.


Penn National is convinced that the problems with United Totes are behind them. They now have reverted back to closing betting when the bell rings.