Thanks TGJB!

I know some of you read Ray Paulick's column in The Bloodhorse last week (see TG thread "That idiot Paulick is at it again", 8/3/05) and commented on it here. I sent my comments to him, with a copy to Jerry saying that "this will never make the Letters column!". To my great surprise, the next morning I had an email from Paulick asking permission to publish my letter...and they did so in full, no edits.

Since I wrote it, and there is no link to the Letters column over the internet, I have posted it below...


August 3, 2005

Dear Mr. Paulick:

I am so tired of reading all the excuses for the decline in wagering, lower net profits for racetracks (i.e., Churchill), and fewer patrons on-site made by industry insiders who look for anyone to blame but themselves!

There is a reason that Las Vegas succeeds in attracting bettors, and that the "home" market for wagering companies has continued to expand - but no one in racing wants to talk about it.

Look at the cost of going to the track these days and what you get for it. In Southern California, figure a minimum of $4 for parking; $6 grandstand admission; $10 for a reserved seat; $4 for a Daily Racing Form and $2 for a program...for a grand total of $26 before you ever place a bet! Compare this to Vegas where all of the above are either free or a minimum charge of $2 for a Form.

Also, at home or in Vegas, your food and drink is not an issue cost-wise; but at Del Mar you can now pay as much as $7.50 for a beer!

Raising the cost of admission, seating, food and drink to compensate for the lower live turnout would be better served by giving people a reason to come to the track. Stop whining and fight back with PROMOTIONS centered on gambling and horses.

Welcome your customers by providing them with all the information they need to learn the game; and give them a comfortable place to study the card and make bets.

Show them how good it can be and just maybe people on the street will start reading the Daily Racing Form again, and live bettors will return to the only place that can provide the one thing no one else can even simulate...the sounds and sights of a live horse race!

Debra Giglio
Carlsbad, CA


Delmar Deb