
Stan Bergstein's Daily Racing Form columns
Sadly, joint venture comes to an end
By Stan Bergstein
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. - Indians gave this lush desert oasis
its name almost 200 years ago, and gold prospectors came later by stagecoach,
long before realtors and the wealthy discovered it.
This week, almost 100 executives of North American
Thoroughbred and harness racing are here, along with some of the world's best
tennis players gathered for a major tournament.
The tennis players are seeking fame and fortune.
The racing executives are seeking answers to their grievous
problems. Even before the first of a formidable list of speakers begins to
give them answers, they have found one, and are about to discard it.
For six years now, the Thoroughbred Racing Associations and
Harness Tracks of America, two major trade associations of race tracks, have
been holding joint annual meetings. They have discussed the many issues common
to both, and approached them with common purpose.
Far longer, for almost 20 years, the running crowd and
fanciers of the gaited trotters and pacers have shared an annual simulcasting
conference, organized and operated by the TRA, which have helped educate and
enlighten track specialists on how to best manage the myriad problems of that
aspect of racing, now accounting for the vast majority - 85 to 90 percent
being popular estimates - of racing handle in North America.
Now, returning to more provincial and traditional
comfortability with their own, the Thoroughbred folks have decided they will
abandon the joint annual meetings and return to their own exclusive company,
leaving the harness people to seek answers in the solitude of their more
mundane ways, perceived as less lofty than the sport of kings.
Good ideas can be shared or shunned, of course, the latter
with sometimes costly consequences. An example: Forty years or so ago, before
anyone realized what simulcasting would do for and to horse racing, the TRA
decided it would go its own way with saddle pad colors, rather than adopt
those used by the harness sport.
The trotters, having substantial money and recognition
value already invested, chose not to change to the running horse color system.
Then came television, with the runners using one set of
colors and harness racing using another, creating a confusion of color that
still exists today, as the two sports share TVG and HRTV time, asking their
fans to accommodate inconveniently to the different systems in alternating
races on the same medium.
Larger issues will be discussed here in Indian Wells this
week. Two of the most interesting, both because of the subject matter and the
mirthful and forceful personalities of the speakers, follow one another.
Jeff Gural, the entertainingly blunt Manhattan realty
magnate who runs Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs harness tracks in New York
state, will discuss "Things racing should be talking about, but isn't."
Then the vastly knowledgeable racing historian and former
New York state racing commissioner Bennett Liebman will discuss "Things racing
doesn't want to talk about."
Other experts this week will tackle management issues that
should be of interest to all track operators.
Mark Thurman, of California Horse Racing Information
Management System Inc., will talk about "Trust accounts and simulcasting
partners," which should be of great interest to all track operators.
Lee Amaitis, the president and CEO of Cantor Gaming and one
of the most creative of all racing observers, will make a presentation on
Cantor's new technology advances, along with his chief technology officer
Sunny Tara. Ian Penrose, CEO of England's Sportech PLC, will join them on the
panel.
Gural will return, along with Nick Eaves, president and COO
of Woodbine Entertainment, and Drew Shubeck, president and general manager of
Lone Star Park, to talk about "Suggestions for change and other improvements
to racing."
Todd Gralla, principal director of equine services for
Populous, also is on Thursday's program, telling track executives how they
might improve monetizing their facilities.
Before that, TRA's executive vice president, Chris Scherf,
will discuss the critical issue of wagering security, and two ardent
California fans, Billy Koch and David Pascale, will give their views on
improvements needed in racing.
Jay Hickey, president of the American Horse Council, will
update the track operators on Washington doings, including Barney Frank's bill
to legalize Internet betting, and Whittier Law School professor I. Nelson Rose
will share his expertise on what's happening and is likely to happen in Indian
gaming.
Liebman will return to give his views on interstate
compacts as an answer to uniformity.
In the midst of all this I will be honored to present my
Messenger Award, named for the English stallion who contributed so much to
both running and harness racing in this country, to Gov. Ed Rendell of
Pennsylvania, who enriched both sports by his sponsorship of slots and table
games in his state.
Then, after 49 years as executive vice president of Harness
Tracks of America, I will slip into semi-retirement to look after the treasure
of my life, my long-suffering wife June, but will look forward to continuing
these bi-weekly visits with all of you.
Archived columns
2010 DRF Columns
Racing-casino marriage under strain, 2-9-10
NJ
racing hoping there's a Plan B, 1-26-10
Alarm siren sounds across borders, 1-12-10
2009 DRF Columns
Fight over slots brewing in Boston, 12-29-09
Brits becoming major players, 12-15-09
Events offer plenty of food for thought, 12-1-09
Great debate should be non-starter, 11-17-09
New
steeplechase head hit by political punch, 11-3-09
Taking a ride through the haunted house, 10-20-09
Will wonder horse run again?, 10-7-09
Ohio racing plan full of ups, downs, 9-22-09
Fallon shakes off rust after long sabbatical, 9-8-09
Author has no fear of sacred cows, 8-25-09
Signs of life in the dead of summer, 8-11-09
Gambling seeks its new age, 7-28-09
Some still have head in the sand on drugs, 7-15-09
The curious case of Martha
Maxine, 6-30-09
Racing a victim of political
infighting, 6-16-09
Churchill needs more than night
racing, 6-5-09
Getting to know a man of many
hats, 5-20-09
Derby win plays differently in
Alaska, 5-6-09
Amid the clutter, Derby stands
tall, 4-22-09
A mess in Maryland not easily
sorted out, 4-7-09
Good and not-so in the
headlines, 3-11-09
Pa. poker offers opportunity,
2-24-09
Anti-whip movement gets
cracking, 2-11-09
Pottsville roots, Rooney ties
say 'Go Steelers,' 1-27-09
Ontario harness fight left
leadership toppled, 1-14-09
2008 DRF Columns
Rooneys keep father's legacy
intact, 12-30-08
Racing continues to suffer
self-inflicted wounds, 12-10-08
Genetic tinkering hardly
laughable, 11-25-08
Objections sting for whipping
foes, 11-12-08
Are the Brits simply better,
10-28-08
Racing can accomplish more
working together, 10-15-08
Art for youth's sake at benefit
sale, 10-1-08
Whipping rules gaining
momentum, 9-17-08
Fighting words from Stronach,
9-3-08
Slots go from luxury to
necessity, 8-20-08
New drugs make steroids look
wimpy, 8-6-08
Desperate step in Maryland,
7-22-08
An honor better late than
never, 7-8-08
Not a good seat in the House,
6-24-08
One Belmont '08 tale stands
apart, 6-11-08
Government sees new war on
drugs, 5-27-08
Time for racing and its critics
to move on, 5-13-08
Horse racing's idea man,
4-30-08
Plenty of wheeling and dealing,
4-15-08
Losing bet expands reach, 4-1-08
Powers that be need
give-and-take, 3-18-08
Racing no healthier up north,
3-4-08
Finding ways to catch whales,
2-22-08
Steroid reform under assault,
2-6-08
Big jackpot bets deserve a long
look, 1-22-08
One-man crusade earns
recognition, 1-9-08
2007 DRF Columns
These 11 unjustly tattooed with
a scarlet letter, 12-26-07
Italian job has happier ending,
12-12-07
Breed crossover: Double the
fun, 11-28-07
Pacer leaves legacy on, off
track, 11-13-07
Dark clouds coast to coast,
10-31-07
Fancy footwork in Bluegrass,
10-16-07
Horse art for a good cause,
10-2-07
Friendship with Carter a
thrill and honor, 9-19-07
Getting real reform: Like
pulling teeth, 9-4-07
One racing official with a
backbone, 8-21-07
Shagan was a man ahead of his
time, 7-25-07
Little guy's unbelievable
score, 7-10-07
Keeping stars on track can
only help, 6-26-07
Hail to 'The Chief,' 6-12-07
Not all believe in balanced
coverage, 5-29-07
Jockey insurance not a federal
case, 5-16-07
Two levels of entry into the
racing world, 5-1-07
This idea no laughing matter,
4-18-07
Racing advised to get with the
times, 4-3-07
Dark chapter comes to a close,
3-20-07
Breaking down the breed wall,
3-6-07
Testing whenever and wherever
they choose, 2-22-07
Don't cry for Barbaro - get
involved, 2-6-07
Professor gives racing a
failing grade, 1-23-07
An idea from past to push
sport forward, 1-10-07
2006 DRF Columns
Drastic proposal for a big
problem, 12-27-06
Racing confab had its high
points, 12-13-06
Delaware puts strength
behind words, 11-29-06
Ohio rejection of slots
leaves tracks out in cold, 11-15-06
Slots the key weapon in
border wars, 11-1-06
Different idea across the
sea, 10-17-06
Exhibiting art for charity's
sake, 10-3-06
Exec's choice: coffee, tea, or jail, 7-26-06
Politics usually raw deal for racing, 7-11-06
Too much
filler, not enough action, 6-28-06
Try ditching
the starting gate, 6-14-06
Science may be
catching up to the cheaters, 5-31-06
Whitfield's
good intentions off-target this time, 5-17-06
You can just
call him 'Derby favorite,' 5-2-06
One conflict
ends while another still rages, 4-18-06
ARCI makes
excessive demands, 4-5-06
Another side
to a style icon, 3-22-06
Medication
reform dies dumb death, 2-22-06
And the no. 1
rider or driver is...?, 2-15-06
Indiana a
step ahead of the pack, 1-25-06
Two fellow
Canadians are racing's visionaries, 1-11-06
2005 DRF Columns
Youbet's rebate cat out of bag, 12-27-05
Slots
a bandage where surgery is needed, 12-13-05
Top
ranks are on front line, 11-30-05
Dr. G.
finds his real-life Lilliput, 11-16-05
Time to
bring in a new duo, 11-1-05
Racing
needs this expert, 10-19-05
Help
place a bet on kids' futures, 9-27-05
Obsessed? It's a compliment, 9-21-05
Boycott - one step backward, 9-7-05
Doctor
has cure, but it costs, 8-24-05
There
shouldn't be a wall between breeds, 8-10-05
Murky
figures clouding the game, 7-27-05
Legislators blind to the obvious, 7-13-05
Impeding
progress in Kentucky, 6-28-05
Drug
cheats topic of expose, 6-14-05
Ruling
could turn wagering sideways, 6-3-05
Fermin
merits more support, 5-17-05
Consortium
remains racing's hope, 5-4-05
Racing
has a big-time credibility problem, 4-19-05
Racing at
perilous crossroads, 4-6-05
Let's
dial up some new fans, 3-23-05
Little
track turns into big deal, 3-8-05
Friends
of all or just some?, 2-22-05
Milkshaking
just tip of drug dealing iceburg, 2-8-05
Let
federal enforcers go after racing's bad guys, 1-26-05
One
board member who has it right, 1-12-05
2004 DRF Columns
Thoroughbred Racing at the Dawn of 2005, 12-30-04
Passionate
debate, but little progress, 12-14-04
Expect sparks to fly in Tucson, 12-1-04
A
shot across racing's bow, 11-17-04
Wanted by racing: One eloquent voice, 11-3-04
Native American tribes buy into racing, 10-18-04
Two cases of no pain, no gain, 10-6-04
Charity art auction has come a long way, 9-22-04
Getting the best of both worlds, 9-8-04
Peaceful co-existence at Spa, 8-25-04
Wanted: Stars, not comets, 8-11-04
'Little guy' can survive merger mania, 7-27-04
Happy horse keeps on winning, 7-14-04
Game's stars come out too seldom, 6-30-04
Sale
could tip balance on slots, 6-16-04
Pataki's plan would be a good start, 6-2-04
Smarty can transform racing, 5-19-04
Not
the headlines you want to see, 5-5-04
With the Derby, promotion is king, 4-21-04
Convenience vs. common sense, 4-7-04
Goose may lay plain old egg, 3-24-04
Signs of a sport in distress, 3-10-04
Bonnie paper lassos medication issue, 2-25-04
A legendary story is taken to task, 2-11-04
The 'other' Saratoga becomes a hot spot, 1-28-04
Shrewd promoter bags cash, 1-14-04
2003 DRF Columns
States control racing's fate ,
12-31-03
Fates blind to shakers and movers, 12-17-03
Slots in Maine a melodrama, 12-3-03
Let's make a deal, racino style,
11-19-03
Once grand Garden State is gone,
11-5-03
Hear that? It's the sound of cash,
10-22-03
For grooms, a long-overdue reward, 10-8-03
Delayed justice hurts all of racing,
9-24-03
Visions of yesteryear on display,
9-9-03
NTRA security proposal wasteful,
8-28-03
By request, a poetry encore,
8-14-03
A jockey, a legend - a father,
7-31-03
EPO test may level playing field, 7-17-03
Taking the preventive approach,
7-3-03
Best bet: Lawyers always win,
6-19-03
Forget science: Send in the slots,
6-5-03
Offer N.Y. tracks can't refuse,
5-22-03
Right
of exclusion still paramount, 5-8-03
Slots lure
has Pittsburgh land value on rise, 4-24-03
Texans see EPO as potential killer,
4-10-03
Racing's
problems better exposed than ignored, 2-27-03
Pope the pitchman won't give up, 2-13-03
Coming clean is the most
positive influence, 1-30-03
War vs. drugs moves slowly, 1-16-03
Racing-on-racing violence everywhere, 1-2-03
2002 DRF Columns
Sports betting waiting in the
wings, 12-19-02
Let's gather and talk - all at the same time, 12-5-02
Let's all get on same page, 11-19-02
Fix Six one disaster;
another looms, 11-7-02
Brief era ends with sale of Rosecroft, 10-24-02
New drug rules not nearly enough, 10-10-02
Mouthwash much ado about
little, 9-26-02
Woodbine a model for gaming and racing, 9-12-02
Loud, clear voice at Spa round table, 8-29-02
Last of the racing raconteurs,
8-15-02
Trotting's misguided tradition, 8-1-02
New
episode of Perils of Maline, 7-17-02
A
long, cold summer of U.S.A. race blues, 7-3-02
Trouble on the Internet betting front,
6-19-02
Incoming
simos beyond your control, Jersey, 6-4-02
First the
facts, then the drugs, 5-21-02
Ontario adopts rules to reduce squabbles,
5-7-02
We
must all learn to get along, 4-9-02
Take
a tip from Ontario, 3-26-02
We have the technology...,
3-12-02
Blood-boosters present real threat,
2-28-02
Class in America (a case of VLT's), 2-12-02
Sleaze is in the eye of the beholder, 1-29-02
Minnesota answers alarmist, 1-15-02
Latest problem a real stinker, 1-1-02 |