Who is responsible for promoting the track ?

[dinkadoo]

Is it the track itself ?
Is it the horsemens association ?
Is it the racing commission ?
Is it the non-existent national organization ? ( although some would say the USTA )

It may have been discussed before, but in order to grow the sport, would it not be imperative that you get people out to the track to see it live ?

Miami Valley.... A track that has good solid racing and purses. On any night of the week and especially the weekends the track is packed. There is a fan base willing to support a live product... Not enough to support thoroughly but it's a start.

Even though the grandstand is flat and not fan friendly.....
And now they cut out Friday and Saturday night racing...

Who is the watchdog ---  different organizations and management say they want the sport to grow....

But how does management not allow their best two nights crowd wise - to race and draw the live crowd ?
How does the racing commission approve their dates to be structured to not cater to the racing customer ?
How does the OHHA not scream to the high ceilings that this is not good for the future of the track ?

[Locked in with pace]

The world has changed. The future of harness racing as well as most businesses Will NOT be affected by live handle or shoppers coming through their doors.  Malls were being built years ago like they were the best thing since sliced bread. Each one wanted to be bigger and better than the previous one . All the big name retailers couldn't wait to open a store in the mall in a prime spot. These malls now have become a thing of the past.  They are being turned into housing, warehousing etc. PEOPLE SHOP ON LINE. It's easier. You can buy everything imaginable and have it delivered the next day to your door.  So you miss out going to the food court. Look around: All the big retailers are expanding their ONLINE business and shutting or reducing the size of their stores. 

The same with racing. Live handle is a thing of the past. Why go when you can stay home and bet on as many track's as you want . No worries about getting shut out. Bet in your pajamas with a beer.  No idiots screaming about all the races being fixed.  No money spent on gas.  And the big players get rebates from their online accounts.

The tracks see it. More and more are going to HD. More and more are giving away free online programs. Just like in business, the strong will get stronger and the weak will close down. Not all business are Amazon. The same is going to happen with racing. Some will have multi million dollar nightly handles and others will  be happy  to pay their bills.

[caddy]

The world has changed. The future of harness racing as well as most businesses Will NOT be affected by live handle or shoppers coming through their doors.  Malls were being built years ago like they were the best thing since sliced bread. Each one wanted to be bigger and better than the previous one . All the big name retailers couldn't wait to open a store in the mall in a prime spot. These malls now have become a thing of the past.  They are being turned into housing, warehousing etc. PEOPLE SHOP ON LINE. It's easier. You can buy everything imaginable and have it delivered the next day to your door.  So you miss out going to the food court. Look around: All the big retailers are expanding their ONLINE business and shutting or reducing the size of their stores. 

The same with racing. Live handle is a thing of the past. Why go when you can stay home and bet on as many track's as you want . No worries about getting shut out. Bet in your pajamas with a beer.  No idiots screaming about all the races being fixed.  No money spent on gas.  And the big players get rebates from their online accounts.

The tracks see it. More and more are going to HD. More and more are giving away free online programs. Just like in business, the strong will get stronger and the weak will close down. Not all business are Amazon. The same is going to happen with racing. Some will have multi million dollar nightly handles and others will  be happy  to pay their bills.

quite good analogy as compared to retailers changing business models.

[Wendall Tilley]

Yes but,2 things.An on track dollar is way more lucratiive than a simulcast dollar. Tracks sell their signal for 2or 3 percent. Also racing has to cultivate new fans tv doesnt do it justice.I was never a fan of nascar till I went to daytona. Incredible live,bla on tv

[Emperor Dapple]

Personally I think it’s the tracks that should promote their racing .. That being said I feel like it’s beating a dead horse at this point.. The fans who followed this sport have been dying off since the 1970’s.. You can try and blame drugs or race fixing but there was still big crowds even when race fixing was at its peak during the hey days.. The reality is young people just don’t care about harness racing and it had its day.. It will last until track owners / politician can figure their way out of it , just like Pompano..Consider ing all the drugging going on and abuse maybe it will be for the best.. Who knows.

[Dragonfly]

Should be tracks to look after their own interests

[railbird steve]

jeez! I was the youngest one at my otb (56)!