In The Sulky Forum
General Category => General Harness Racing Discussion => Topic started by: MichiganDale on October 25, 2013, 07:03:15 AM
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Realists have got to see the end in sight. Now, greed has taken over Northville and they've joined hands with Hazel Park in a full court press to end live racing in Michigan. Now BOTH tracks have amended their dates requests for 2014 to race only 10 DAYS EACH! Correct, TEN STINKING DAYS so they can have their cake and eat it too, as in simulcasting and hosting charity (questionable) poker tournaments. Sports Creek left their 'whopping' 11 day request as is. So, the once grand sport of Harness Racing in Michigan conceivably would race 'live' a grand total of 31 days collectively from 3 racetracks. If this plan flies, turn out the lights, party is over. Hurts to say it but let's be real about it. The racetracks do not want LIVE racing.....they want somebody else to have live racing in another State so they can simulcast, host parties, play poker and sell off the property except for the buildings......
Hate to say it, really do, but the funeral for Harness Racing may be just ahead.....
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But Dale do you really think that it will fly or is that just the front to put pressure on.
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But Dale do you really think that it will fly or is that just the front to put pressure on.
Don't really know, Maniac, but even if its disallowed the picture is bleak with the Creek holding firm wanting 11 days, Hazel at 44 and Northville with 26. Its a slippery downhill slope. If the tracks get the 11,44,26 for 2014 you know they'll be back a year from now with a convoluted scheme to ask for 10 again. Not much to be enthused about unfortunately.
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The Mich picture is much darker than the Mich tracks offering less dates.
In years past the Mich-Yanks had the options of Sarnia, Windsor and a few other Canadian tracks, which are all pretty much gone.
When Raceway Park moved to Dayton, it was an assumption that the same class of horses (Raceway Park stock) would make the move as well, however considering the Oct-Dec dates that Dayton has applied for in 2014, it appears that Dayton is hoping to be of the same caliber as Scioto.
Where's all the Mich culls that been racing in Toledo for years going to end up?
The Mich fairs were reduced drastically more than a decade ago. Last count I was aware was 16 and the days were shortened, as well as the stakes for Mich-Breds.
IMO, the tracks are just following suit with the remainder of the market, dismal as it may seem.
The few Mich horsemen remaining couldn't have been making a living any when most of the purses are in the 1200-1600 range.
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Wilderness,
Sad as it is the ones racing for 1200 to 1600 all had other day jobs and in my opinion that led to all lot of the horse not preforming consistence week in and week out, this did not help the betting public. As far as the cheaper stock going to Dayton there is no way it could happen as long as there is a circuit. The state is letting to much gambling in and in a few years it also will struggle. Over saturation