Michigan Race Dates For 2014 - Ridiculous

[MichiganDale]

3 Tracks, 81 total dates with plenty of 'dark time.'   At least Hazel and N'Ville didn't get away with that nonsense about 10 day meets.  Sports Creek however was awarded a ELEVEN DAY RACE MEET!   Suffice it to say racing interests will have a very hard time paying their bills, drivers can't make a living, and for most the reality says harness racing is a mere hobby........wow.  What follows is from our friends at the MHHA.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board has issued the 2014 Race Meeting Licenses. Northville Downs was issued 26 days from January 31 - April 26, 2 days per week. Hazel Park was issued 44 days from May 2 - September 27, 2 days per week and Sports Creek was issued 11 days from November 28 - December 31, 2 days per week.

[tonyb147]

The way things are shaping up, IL isn't too far behind 

[beans and weenies]

makes me sick to my stomach 

[badolpuddytat]

Michigan must be really F@cked Up!!! Now they want to make Hazel Park and Northville into a TB track!!!! SB's getting 10 day meets too!!! Ok they will not get that much $$$$$$$$ bet into their races for a 5/8ths and 1/2 mile TB track. I would never in my life bet a TB race with those tracks!!!    www.drf.com/news/michigan-tracks-horsemen-agree-plan-return-thoroughbred-racing-detroit-area

[Wilderness]

bet into their races for a 5/8ths and 1/2 mile TB track. I would never in my life bet a TB race with those tracks!!!

Uhm. . . . Hazel Park was a 5/8ths T-Bred track from their opening in 1950 thru 1984 for at least half the long Spring-Summer season and at six days a week. ( I saw Alahambra Son set the six furlong track record there of 1:10 2/5 although I couldn't tell you what year. Also on the last day of the meet they used to have a Starter Allowance at 2.5 miles.

 Raceway Park held T-Bred racing on a half-mile track into the early 1970s when it was converted to an 11/16th track (and then later a 5/8ths).

 None of these ever stopped the die-hards from attending or wagering.

[badolpuddytat]

Uhm. . . . Hazel Park was a 5/8ths T-Bred track from their opening in 1950 thru 1984 for at least half the long Spring-Summer season and at six days a week. ( I saw Alahambra Son set the six furlong track record there of 1:10 2/5 although I couldn't tell you what year. Also on the last day of the meet they used to have a Starter Allowance at 2.5 miles.

 Raceway Park held T-Bred racing on a half-mile track into the early 1970s when it was converted to an 11/16th track (and then later a 5/8ths).

 None of these ever stopped the die-hards from attending or wagering.

Different game now a days. Back then you could only bet the track that you were at! Now with the simulcast, plus casino betting your lucky if you have 1/5th as much betting going on. Unless your like Charlestown (casino money going to purses) and have a million dollar race that attracts Game On Dude. I doubt Michigan could put on a race like that.

[MichiganDale]

The end is in sight unless something dramatic takes place.   MHHA reported on this tragedy on its website and on Facebook....this was my response:


No more band-aid approaches will work, industry needs a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. Suggest sticking it right back at the tracks as they've stuck it to you. Boycott the box immediately, do not accept any 10 day 'meets' that are really not meets in the first place. Play hardball ladies and gents - draw national attention to this tragedy, picket by the hundreds or thousands, pull up trailers, trucks, cars, tractors, the works.....if the end is near go out with a bang. You cannot make a living dealing with the Michigan tracks under current ownership. Put a end to it, take a stand. Then think about a horseman owned and operated facility - not as outlandish a thought as it may sound. Don't even need much of a grandstand or clubhouse at all....just a track and a signal and the staff.....if you can dream it it can be done. I feel for you.

[WIlliam N]

The end is in sight unless something dramatic takes place.   MHHA reported on this tragedy on its website and on Facebook....this was my response:


No more band-aid approaches will work, industry needs a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. Suggest sticking it right back at the tracks as they've stuck it to you. Boycott the box immediately, do not accept any 10 day 'meets' that are really not meets in the first place. Play hardball ladies and gents - draw national attention to this tragedy, picket by the hundreds or thousands, pull up trailers, trucks, cars, tractors, the works.....if the end is near go out with a bang. You cannot make a living dealing with the Michigan tracks under current ownership. Put a end to it, take a stand. Then think about a horseman owned and operated facility - not as outlandish a thought as it may sound. Don't even need much of a grandstand or clubhouse at all....just a track and a signal and the staff.....if you can dream it it can be done. I feel for you.

The entire situation is a disaster. Appears unfixable. I agree with everything you say--however I don't think the hardball scenario and boycotting will take place---but you are right on the money. What a mess