I think the recent spate of press releases from tracks with nothing concrete to announce reflects the upcoming competition for horse flesh you mention. With horses getting ready to ship out of Oaklawn, the tracks all want to claim a share of a diminishing race-ready horse population. Tom Amoss mentioned on the NYRA Bets/FSN show this weekend that his stable was down 30%, with many owners deciding to sell their horses or send them to a farm.

It will be interesting to see how the competing boutique meets fare. especially if owners cannot be present to watch their horses run, get a table in the clubhouse, or have their pictures taken in the winner's circle.