by Trey Nosrac

Fifteen years ago, I found myself in South Carolina researching a story about a champion golfer who played from 1910 to 1940, a time that paralleled the growth of Myrtle Beach. While leafing through a dusty local library book, I was astounded to learn that in the 1930s, there was a harness racetrack named Washington Park in downtown Myrtle Beach. The racetrack had a nice, albeit short, run until the South Carolina Supreme Court slammed the wagering door.

I knew that anti-gambling sentiments did, and still do, exist in South Carolina. For some reason, the inability of our sport to establish a beachhead in the Palmetto State, or almost every other warm-weather state, annoys me. Addressing this void of southern horse racing became a bit of a preoccupation. This irritation led to an annual plea for our sport’s public or private powers to remedy our lack of a southern hoofprint.

I base part of my pleas on the theory that our old model for harness horse racing is flawed and fading. Restarting our sport in virgin territory will be simpler than fixing the old house of cards. If the northern state subsidies for harness horse racing diminish, the twisted, fragile threads of state funding unravel, and the casinos break free, the south could offer new, improved landing areas.

This year, I tried a new tactic in my quest for southern harness racing outreach by outsourcing questions and possible solutions to artificial intelligence. The subsequent experiment was astonishing and terrifying, and I only scratched the surface.

I began innocently by entering a benign task for a basic artificial intelligence program – Write a short essay about the positive aspects of harness racetracks and harness racing programs in South Carolina.

The AI response was instantaneous and generic. I’ll post it, but I suggest that you skip it.

HARNESS HORSE RACING: A BENEFICIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR SOUTH CAROLINA

Harness horse racing, a time-honored sport involving standardbred horses trotting or pacing while pulling a two-wheeled cart known as a sulky, offers numerous benefits to states that embrace it. Establishing a harness racing program for South Carolina could be a lucrative and culturally enriching initiative. This essay explores the economic, social, and community advantages that such a program could bring to the state.

First and foremost, harness horse racing can stimulate significant economic growth. A racing program would create direct jobs, including trainers, jockeys, veterinarians, and stable workers, and indirect jobs for associated industries like feed suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and transportation services. Additionally, the construction and maintenance of racetracks would generate employment opportunities in construction and infrastructure development. Local businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, and retail stores, would benefit from the influx of race event visitors, further bolstering the state’s economy. In states like New York and Pennsylvania, harness racing has proven to be a robust economic driver, contributing millions annually in revenue through tourism, betting, and licensing fees.

Moreover, a harness racing program could enhance South Carolina’s agricultural sector. The breeding, training, and care of standardbred horses require large amounts of land and resources, creating new opportunities for farmers and equine professionals. By supporting the growth of equestrian facilities and farms, South Carolina could position itself as a hub for standardbred breeding, attracting enthusiasts and investors from across the country. The agricultural partnerships fostered through such a program would benefit harness racing and elevate the broader equine industry within the state.

Socially, harness horse racing offers a unique form of entertainment that appeals to diverse audiences. Unlike some forms of gambling that can polarize communities, harness racing blends sport, tradition, and spectacle, making it family-friendly. Racetracks can host events beyond racing, such as concerts, festivals, and charity fundraisers, creating a vibrant cultural hub that strengthens community ties. The sport’s accessibility and emphasis on horsemanship and teamwork also foster an appreciation for animals and rural traditions, resonating with South Carolina’s agricultural heritage.

A harness racing program could also provide a new revenue stream for the state government. South Carolina could generate funds to support education, healthcare, and infrastructure projects by regulating and taxing race betting. Several states have successfully allocated proceeds from racing-related activities to public programs, enhancing their appeal to policymakers and constituents alike.

Furthermore, harness horse racing aligns with South Carolina’s existing tourism strategy. The state attracts millions of visitors annually because of its natural beauty and historic charm. Adding harness racing to its roster of attractions could diversify South Carolina’s offerings, drawing equine enthusiasts and spectators from around the country. With the proper marketing and investment, racetracks could become iconic landmarks, adding to the state’s reputation as a premier destination.

In conclusion, a harness horse racing program holds immense potential for South Carolina. It promises economic growth, bolsters the agricultural and equine industries, strengthens community ties, and generates public revenue. By embracing this initiative, South Carolina could harness the power of tradition and innovation, ensuring benefits for residents and visitors alike.

AI REPLY IS UNSATISFYING

Again, this reply felt boilerplate. It was an unsatisfying word salad without answers. However, the follow-up conversations became fascinating. I continued asking for specific revisions of the original submission. I peppered the program with what I felt were complex tasks and instigated new threads.

• Can state passage of anti-gambling legislation in SC be avoided? How?

• Create a viable harness racing Sires Stakes program in South Carolina.

• Create a seasonal racing schedule, avoiding conflicting competition.

• Create programs with monetary projections from a business POV.

• Explain the SC harness racing economics from a participant’s POV.

• List promising geographical and real estate locations for a race program in South Carolina.

Let’s use this last question as an example of the power of this technology. In the first response for this thread (approximately three seconds), the program offered three locations with existing infrastructure (Springdale Racecourse in Camden boasts 450 acres of picturesque landscapes for thoroughbred training, two dirt tracks, and miles of turf gallops. McGhees’ Mile in Aiken is a family-owned track with three racetracks (a one-mile red clay track, a half-mile red clay track, and a seven-eighths-mile sand track), along with over 250 stalls and ample barn space. Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds in Spartanburg hasn’t held regular races for many years. It still has a visible racing surface and a history of hosting horse trotting and racing events. Followed by a list of new potential locations and reasons harness racing may play (Charleston, Columbia, and Myrtle Beach).

On and on. The device never got tired. AI always listened to my suggestions and, unlike humans, never laughed at my foolishness. Eventually, AI began to show insights that surprised me. As the questions in my experiment continued, the more insightful the machine became, the more I forgot I was communicating with algorithms. And remember, this was a basic free public AI app from a year ago. New, updated versions of machine learning are popping up like flies on manure.

I saved dozens of pages from my South Carolina harness racing experiment. I will read them carefully, let them marinate, and share a few surprising, provocative ideas about new frontiers for our sport that arrived from this unhuman entity.

Yikes.