Gulfstream Park's likely end as a Thoroughbred facility (TDN Jan. 16) makes clear that our industry as presently structured is simply no longer viable.
In a relatively short time, major tracks have closed in New England, Northern California, Illinois and many other formerly vibrant racing venues. Racing is on life support in Southern California, Florida, Delaware, Pennsylvania, etc. and exists almost everywhere else only with the support of non-racing revenues from slots, casinos and state supplements. Instead of embracing innovative ideas to make the sport more attractive to a new generation of racing fans and owners, the focus continues to be on protecting those non-racing revenues. An industry where 80-90% of purse money comes from slots instead of wagering on the core product is simply not viable in the long run.
Unless major changes are made in our present non-existent business model, within a few years racing in the US will be limited to Kentucky, Maryland, New York and a few outlier tracks running a few months a year. We as an industry need to get our heads out of the sand and get to work!
H. Robb Levinsky is the founder of the New Jersey-based Kenwood Racing LLC
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
