(In response to this Wire to Wire column from Jan. 19):

I agree we would do much better on-track if we could run the races quickly like we do the baby races, but, unfortunately, that would destroy our off-track revenue. I actually proposed this to the horsemen at Tioga to see if they would go along since I have a casino and I don’t rely on racing revenue. Unfortunately, they rejected the idea because they don’t have enough help. Quite often, apparently, they will have one groom paddocking three horses and going every 10 minutes would be impossible.

As far as the comments from Christopher Fenty and H. Earl Paulson, I totally agree that the drag is an insult, but we have tried twice to get all of the tracks that have casinos to go along with reducing the drag and no one is interested. I can assure your readers that if we get a casino at The Meadowlands the drag will disappear, and we will also lower the takeout rate so that our customers have a better chance of winning. I also want to make it clear that I am optimistic that we will get a casino at The Meadowlands once the downstate casinos open [in New York]. People have told me that a casino there would be extremely successful because of the location. It is possible that even if we could get the constitution amended that someone else would get the license, but hopefully that will not happen.

It would really help if the industry could work together as it is very frustrating that I was able to get NYRA to put our races on TV as part of the NYRA Bets product and [SOA of New York president Joe] Faraldo still will not let people bet on the races that they are watching. How stupid is that?

In any case, I am totally committed to keeping The Meadowlands afloat and, while we will lose millions of dollars in the next two years, I am reasonably optimistic that at the end of the day we will have a casino, and our racing product will once again be the best in the world with no drag and a lower takeout.

Jeff Gural / owner The Meadowlands

More on speeding up the races

I agree with everything in the article. [It is] so well written. I have tried introducing friends to the sport over a few decades, and the comments are always the same: Zero minutes to post and then six minutes later they are asking, “What is wrong? Are the horses okay?”

It is like watching a hockey game: Two minutes of action, then 25 minutes of nothing… Two minutes of action, then 25 minutes of nothing.

The OHL [Ontario Hockey League] can teach us a lesson. When the whistle blows, in 30 seconds they drop the puck, whether the teams were ready or not. The teams adapted very quickly. The game times were shortened and parents could bring their children on school nights and still get them home for a decent bed time, thus building a future fan base.

Plus, [by running the races faster] our participants will be able to get a few hours of extra sleep as well.

Thanks for the article. I hope that tracks will listen.

Steve Thompson

More on the on-track experience

The most important factor of saving harness racing from total irrelevance is getting people back to track. I’ve been following harness racing since my very first day at Liberty Bell Park, on the 28th of October in 1970. I remember the days of huge crowds for a weekend card at the races. Even Mondays and Tuesdays drew respectable crowds wagering decent handles.

I met John Campbell around five years ago at Sun Stakes Saturday at Pocono and engaged him in a brief discussion. His basic belief was that attempting to draw people back to track was an effort in futility and that the good old days were long gone and never coming back. I disagreed then and still do today, now more than ever.

You did have some good ideas, but that’s just a beginning and just begins to scratch the surface. There’s so much more that can and should be done if this sport is to survive. As it stands now, any state legislature, at any time, can decouple or rescind slot subsidy laws, which, like Pompano, would mean sudden death for any tracks in that state. Pocono and Harrah’s Philly would fold immediately and I can’t help but think Mohegan Sun and Harrah’s would be thrilled to death if that happens. It wouldn’t shock me in the least if they were actually lobbying for it.

One major problem is that most of the big dollar breeders and owners are in it soley for the money only, without any concern for the sport’s long-term success. I know all about the competition for the gambling and entertainment dollars, but there’s a very old idiom stating that “competition separates the men from the boys.” In other words: Only the strong survive.

Over the past few years I’ve talked to many people that don’t even believe that harness racing still exists. It’s said perception is reality and with every track closing, many people believe the sport, like the tracks, is gone for good. Unless and until there’s some type of national promotion/marketing programs to once again popularize the sport, it will all come to an end when Jeff Gural throws in the towel or the states end the subsidies.

At any rate, you at least made the effort to stress the urgency of the problems facing harness racing. Probably, like most times when this issue is addressed, your article will most likely fall on deaf ears, but at least you tried.

Rob Sturman / Philadelphia, PA

More on running races every 10 minutes

I thought the two articles and letters to the editor about live racing at The Meadowlands had good issues raised. The 10-minute time between races may be a little too short but I don’t feel it has to be as long as it is taking now.

As mentioned, most younger people have shorter attention spans than older fans. So, dragging out post times and taking over four hours to complete a racing card is too long to keep the interest of many fans. I also agree there are now so many so called big races that they hold less interest and betting than in years past. Other than the larger races at The Meadowlands and maybe the Little Brown Jug the amount bet is not much higher than a higher class claiming or allowance race.

Tracks should maybe look into fewer big races but higher purses for their overnight races. This may also help in more competitive racing on track which fans would support with more betting.

Other than that, I also feel the heavy traffic and higher tolls on the turnpike has also hurt on track attendance. With more betting coming in from off track it is correct that a $3 million handle does not generate the revenue The Meadowlands needs to survive, especially since they only race two times a week. The casino issue also is correct. With the constant expansion of casino gaming, even that is becoming less profitable on a per property basis and newer casinos would be at a disadvantage of having to account for the higher cost of their new construction. Let us hope The Meadowlands does not go down as the last harness track to close after Freehold.

John Chambers / Lansdowne, PA

More on industry woes

The “industry” will soon die when it is not propped up by state/province sponsored gaming.

In Ohio/Kentucky “agriculture and schools” get politicians elected via casinos. Soon, horse racing will be clearly viewed as it truly is: A cost of doing business; An expense to the taxpayer.

If you are not a total fan or complete addict, horse racing is boring, unless there is paint drying nearby. Gural is trying to do some painting eh?

Much thanks for the opinion.

David Lang

Not enough time to handicap between races

I just read your view and concept, but can you digest the results of the past race you just saw, turn the page, analyze, handicap and make your selection in less than 10 minutes without asking your friends who do they like etc. and the chatter involved of ‘’experts’’ exchanging wisdom?

I have friends who have made good money in their careers, go to sports events where tickets cost $200 or more [no problem], but when they come to the racetrack with me, they can’t look at all those numbers on the form and select a wager with an intellectual confidence, or rooting for a driver because of limited exposure.

The 10-minute time frame to them is a rush to buy a lotto ticket — no brains needed; pick a number. At the evening’s end, when asked if they enjoyed it, they always reply in profit or loss dollars as the standard rather than entertainment or sport.

Mind you, these same guys endure the Giants and Jets football teams as ritual attendees. So, speeding up the watching to wager on an event the new fan knows nothing about will not create an urge to return frequently. A long-term education of the racing form is needed. Like learning to play chess, wagering is not a scratch-off ticket to enjoy if you win.

I own and breed a few horses as my Achilles heel. I find if people learn about the horse more and what it takes to get behind the gate, they begin to realize racing as fast as you can make them move and whipping them more is not what racing is.

They don’t promote the horse anymore, only the amount of money the bettor could win over entertainment for an evening, gathering with friends at no cost to watch some races and wager to show your skill.

Joel Kravet / New York, NY