For what it's worth-and it's not worth much- I had a bit of a conversation with Mr. Stronach and his son Andy about their vision for racetracks one day at Santa Anita a few years ago. And I came away with this impression: Mr Stronach is at least willing to listen to people, but Andy is convinced he has all the answers.
And basically their perspective is that people attend races for entertainment. Taking care of the needs of serious horseplayers by investing in information delivery systems is not a high priority to them because they don't believe that the demographic is large enough to make such expenditures cost effective.
In fact, I got the distinct impression they felt serious horseplayers were pretty much a captive audience and therefore a constant regardless how they were treated.
On the other hand Mr. Stronach really does love horses and the sporting aspects of horse racing. He really does think that racing is such a wonderful sport that it will sell itself. All he has to do is provide facilities that the populace will feel comfortable coming to, or better yet have other reasons like retail shopping to induce their attendance, and the inherent
beauty of racing will have them coming back for more.
My take, of course, is that it is the serious horseplayer who creates the energy the race track experience thrives on. Celebrate handicapping, honor information, and the energy created by horseplayers will
make the track a happening place to be.
Of course, I don't feel that my vision and the Stronach's vision are mutually exclusive. But Andy didn't even want to grant me that.
So, Andy and I didn't exactly hit it off. But I did like Mr. Stronach. And am inclined to give him credit for everything that goes right, and blame Andy for everything that goes wrong.



Post Edited (01-05-05 15:25)