Ending Like It Began
10/17/09 Observations by Tom LaMarra
10/17/09 Observations by Tom LaMarra
Well, I guess The Red Mile racing season ended like it began: Few people knew.
There’s really not much to say that’s positive, other than Billy “Come on Fred” Perkins
did a fine job putting together races under less-than-ideal circumstances, and the
local horsemen put on an interesting show.
You really can’t blame the horsemen for not investing in more stock given the
uncertainty surrounding Kentucky harness racing, the current purse structure for
overnights, and the lack of promotion of the product.
The Nuisance Meet, AKA Early Meet, formerly known as the Spring Meet, was OK from
a product standpoint. However, total handle had to be way down if the figures on the
charts were any indication.
There’s one more year (2010) left on the horsemen’s contract, and we’ll see later in
October what next year’s racing schedule will look like. At this point, I’m not sure
which is worse: More of the same, less of the same, or nothing.
Work and some travel kept me away from the private party known as the Grand
Circuit meet. I’m told the racing was good, but outside of that … not much to speak
of.
An out-of-towner told me the experience was “depressing.” That’s nothing new.
Next year? Can you feel the excitement building?
What a shame.