Getting Racing Televised

[jordanjacob]

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/blog/jack-darling/4-24-14/getting-racing-televised.html


Published: April 24, 2014 8:22 am ET

Last Comment: April 25, 2014 6:21 pm ET | 32 Comment(s) | Jump to Comments

We have an opportunity in harness racing right now. As most of you know, Jeff Gural has made arrangements so that it is possible to have The Meadowlands Pace and The Little Brown Jug televised on national TV via CBS Sports network.

The cost for us is $75,000.00. Sam McKee is looking after all the details of the project.This is a great opportunity to promote our sport to a wider audience and at a very reasonable price. We can showcase our sport at our new state of the art racetrack at The Meadowlands, and our greatest spectacle in harness racing at The Little Brown Jug.

Who benefits from showing these races on national TV? It's us, the participants in harness racing -- the owners, drivers, trainers, breeders, racetracks and everyone else involved in harness racing.

Showcasing these two races on national TV throughout the US and Canada has got to help us. It sure can't do any harm. I think this is a good investment for us and our future.

Standardbred Canada has provided this excellent forum and I would like to take advantage of it to reach out to everyone in our industry. I am proposing that anyone who agrees with and wants to support this initiative can pledge $500.00 to the project on this site. Of course any amount would be wonderful as a show of support. I am hoping we can raise this $75,000.00 in a hurry but you never know.

We will keep track of the pledges on this page as they come in so that everyone can follow how things are going. You can make your pledges in the comment section here and if you have any questions contact jackdarling@rogers.com or billodonnell01@aol.com.

Instructions on where to send cheques and any other information will be made available later on this site. I made a few calls last night just to get the list started and the response was very encouraging.

John Campbell - $500
Jody Jamieson - $500
Adriano Sorella - $500
Bill O'Donnell - $500
Casie Coleman - $500
Murray Brown - $500
Myron Bell - $500
Jack Darling - $500
Bob McIntosh - $500

The views presented in Trot Blogs are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Standardbred Canada.

April 25, 2014 - 6:21 pmFoulk Stables $500
Trish Foulk SAID...
Foulk Stables $500
reply
April 25, 2014 - 5:16 pmMike Keeling and Paula
Mike Keeling SAID...
Mike Keeling and Paula Wellwood are in for $500, great opportunity that should be supported by all participants.
reply
April 25, 2014 - 5:08 pmSimon Allard 500
Jack Darling SAID...
Simon Allard 500
reply
April 25, 2014 - 3:47 pmBlair Corbeil is in for
Blair Corbeil SAID...
Blair Corbeil is in for $500.00 adn challenges all owners to help this worthy cause.
reply
April 25, 2014 - 3:15 pmDaryl Bier and Charles
Charles Dombeck SAID...
Daryl Bier and Charles Dombeck pledge $500
reply
April 25, 2014 - 3:00 pmGreat idea, Jack! Keith
Karen Hauver SAID...
Great idea, Jack!
Keith Waples - $500
Karen Hauver - $500
reply
April 25, 2014 - 2:22 pmNunzio and Santo Vena are in
Nunzio vena SAID...
Nunzio and Santo Vena are in for $500.00
reply
April 25, 2014 - 12:53 pmDr. John Hennessey -
Jack Darling SAID...
Dr. John Hennessey - $500
Tony Alagna - $500
Marv Chantler - $500
reply
April 25, 2014 - 12:53 pmEllen Taylor - $100 John Bax
Jack Darling SAID...
Ellen Taylor - $100
John Bax - $500
Nick Gallucci - $500
reply
April 25, 2014 - 12:10 pmHarness Racing Update is in
Bill Finley SAID...
Harness Racing Update is in for $500. Great idea. Keep it going
reply
April 25, 2014 - 7:15 amJonas and Christine Czernyson
Christine Czernyson SAID...
Jonas and Christine Czernyson are in for $500, as are our owner Tom Dillon $500 and Scott Dillon $500...we can do this!
reply
April 24, 2014 - 7:13 pmI'm in for $500, and I'll
tony o'sullivan SAID...
I'm in for $500, and I'll also put $500 in on behalf of my staff.
Tony O'Sullivan
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April 24, 2014 - 6:55 pmSteven Head: $500
Steve Head SAID...
Steven Head: $500
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April 24, 2014 - 6:43 pmEd Lohmeyer & Dr Patty Hogan
Ed Lohmeyer SAID...
Ed Lohmeyer & Dr Patty Hogan are in for $1,000
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April 24, 2014 - 6:01 pmKevin Harvey $500 The most
Kevin Harvey SAID...
Kevin Harvey $500
The most powerful weapon on Earth is the Human Soul on Fire, Great Idea!
reply
April 24, 2014 - 5:45 pmI'm putting my money where my
Sharon Cameron SAID...
I'm putting my money where my mouth is:
On behalf of the horses, Knightstalker Stable will donate:
Battle Call $100
In A Craze $100
Urgently $100
Wu Long $100
(In memory of) Cimeronmachden $100
reply
April 25, 2014 - 10:09 amcount me and my partner Jeff
Jordan Farkas SAID...
count me and my partner Jeff Rabinowitz in for $250
I wish we could do something like vote for a 1/4 of 1% fee on all purses, claims and auction sales to go towards advertising and televising our great sport
we need to all step it up and do something and the status quo is not an option anymore
edit reply
April 24, 2014 - 3:20 pmMark Weaver Family: Mark -
Jack Darling SAID...
Mark Weaver Family:
Mark - $500
Dee (wife) - $500
Sydney (son) - $500
Jordan (son) - $500
$2000 total
reply
April 24, 2014 - 2:38 pmJason Settlemoir - $500
Jack Darling SAID...
Jason Settlemoir - $500
reply
April 24, 2014 - 2:37 pm$500.00 from M and L of
Rosalind Paul SAID...
$500.00 from M and L of Delaware LLC.
reply
April 24, 2014 - 2:22 pmI'm in for $500 as well and
gerald stay SAID...
I'm in for $500 as well and I'm proud to be part of this group. Thanks Jack!
reply
April 24, 2014 - 2:16 pmDave and Mary Lemon will
Mary Lemon SAID...
Dave and Mary Lemon will gladly pledge $500.00.
reply
April 24, 2014 - 1:34 pmTwinbrook Farms will also
Tammy McNiven SAID...
Twinbrook Farms will also donate $500!!!
Great job Jack!!
Rob & Tammy
reply
April 24, 2014 - 1:10 pmMark Horner - $500 James
Jack Darling SAID...
Mark Horner - $500
James Witherite - $75
Steve Calhoun -$500
Larry Todd - $1000
Bert Smith - $500
reply
April 24, 2014 - 12:52 pmMark me down for $500 Dustin
Dustin Jones SAID...
Mark me down for $500 Dustin Jones
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April 24, 2014 - 12:33 pmWell done Jack. $500 from me
mike wilson SAID...
Well done Jack. $500 from me .
Mike Wilson Warrawee Farm
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April 24, 2014 - 12:11 pmJerry Glantz, in for
Jerry Glantz SAID...
Jerry Glantz, in for $500.
Gastrotec [Tri-Star Equine} also in for $500. Great idea Jack!!
reply
April 24, 2014 - 11:43 amMac Nichol - $500 Yannick
Jack Darling SAID...
Mac Nichol - $500
Yannick Gingas - $500
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April 24, 2014 - 11:11 amIts time we try to help
murray brown SAID...
Its time we try to help ourselves and maybe stop begging others to help us. Of course it would be great if we could gain carte blanche to have tracks and governing agencies come up with all the money. Unfortunately many are unwilling or unable to do so.
To many $500 won't make a big difference to their lives or lifestyles. To others it might be a great deal. If you think it will help the industry which supports you or to which you have a great affinity, then give what you can.
I think a good starting point would be to get pledges from the top ten trainers and drivers or more at all operating racetracks.
How about the veterinarians to who I and others pay substantial bills every month. Its time for everybody who can to help out.
reply
April 24, 2014 - 10:33 amKendra & Al Casselman are in
Allan Casselman SAID...
Kendra & Al Casselman are in for $500
reply
April 24, 2014 - 9:18 amAll American is in.
Rob Tribbett SAID...
All American is in.
reply
April 24, 2014 - 9:10 amKelly Hoerdt, I'm in for 500.
Kelly Hoerdt SAID...
Kelly Hoerdt, I'm in for 500. Let's help ourselves!
reply

[Match Play]

 To my knowledge, there are many people involved in the business that come on this site. If you wish to donate whether its $50 or $500, you have done something to try and market your sport.

 I sent out emails to many of my contacts in this business who were not aware of this fundraising effort. Within an hour, 3 of them made donations of $500.

 Please pass this on to everyone that you know who has a vested interest in this industry. Many are not aware yet.

[The Giss]

Does not address the crowd-funding issue, (which  love but should never have been needed) but here are my thoughts --
http://www.drf.com/news/gisser-harness-racing-tv-cant-hurt

[tonyb147]

Does not address the crowd-funding issue, (which  love but should never have been needed) but here are my thoughts --
http://www.drf.com/news/gisser-harness-racing-tv-cant-hurt

 

[careless hal]

It's great that those 2 races can be televised.  However, CBS sports is not even available in most homes in America.  It would be nice if the result was 30,000 new fans.  But, I doubt it.  Whatever the number ,  most will only be fans  until they lose there ass betting  a few times.   Heck, even with casinos I know a lot more people who went a time or two, lost a few bucks and said, this is stupid and never have been back.  Sure, you can go to a fair or festival enjoy the races , food fireworks or whatever.  That doesn't mean you will become a fan and attend harness races on a regular basis. Most posters here and everywhere who are not in the business I'd classify as gamblers.  Some never go to a track.  Others, maybe a few times a year.  Some I'd imagine have never and will never attend a harness race if no betting is involved.

[caveman]

Me too

[maywoodmaniac]

I agree with Giss.  Never should have come to this.

You can bet the USTA brain trust (haha) is thankful for this movement.  Don't see anyone from there on the donation list, do ya?

What's next, will Jerry Lewis come out of retirement to host a harness racing telethon?

[Match Play]

 The movement to support this industry comes from people who are passionate about changing it for the better and trying to market it to a new generation of gamblers. Sitting on its hands and doing nothing has been the norm for the last 20 years, which is why this industry is in the state its in.

 Getting some of the major races televised is a small step in the right direction but there is a lot more work needed.

 New organizations in this industry, will be formed, (you can bank on that) that will, in the very least, attempt to do everything in their power, to try and get this great industry more exposure, by marketing it like it should be.

 The lack of marketing and exposing this industry to a new generation must be put out to pasture.

[jordanjacob]

The movement to support this industry comes from people who are passionate about changing it for the better and trying to market it to a new generation of gamblers. Sitting on its hands and doing nothing has been the norm for the last 20 years, which is why this industry is in the state its in.

 Getting some of the major races televised is a small step in the right direction but there is a lot more work needed.

 New organizations in this industry, will be formed, (you can bank on that) that will, in the very least, attempt to do everything in their power, to try and get this great industry more exposure, by marketing it like it should be.

 The lack of marketing and exposing this industry to a new generation must be put out to pasture.

 

[Headpole Dave]

In Canada we have an all sports network called "the Score" (it has since been changed recently to Sportsnet 360) that is a National Channel that used to show every Monday night card at Woodbine/Mohawk for years. "Race Night on The Score" was a regular feature and it was great for both the Harness and the Thoroughbreds. The Score would also show many of Harness Racing premier events such as the Breeders Crown, Ontario Super Night, and the Flagship Pepsi North American Cup. For some reason this was discontinued a few years ago... It was really tough, losing that much coverage. The Score, used to have features on various drivers, trainers and horses. Here is an example of some coverage from "the Score."

On Nick Boyd:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9brBd3G06mI

On Admiral's Express:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uN1jGKEEcQ

On Niatross:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CBXyMil3ns