On behalf of the Idabet.com team, I want to wish you the very best holiday season and of course the biggest winning year ahead. Thanks to all of our players that have made our second year of operation a major success. We must be doing something right, because players are coming from all over the country and seem to revel in our all cash rewards program and our dedication to personalized service.
Here’s a look at what is happening in racing this week:
FOUR AE’S ON THE DERBY
Churchill Downs which of course at Idabet we are hoping they will allow all bettors an opportunity to bet their races on any ADW will allow for 4 also eligible entries to next year’s Derby. 24 horses can be entered and any late scratches will allow those on the list to get into the race. While nothing entices gamblers as a full field like that for big time payoffs, it also causes the race to really crown the best three year old early in the season.
That charge of mass horses down the stretch usually prevents most horses from getting a true trip and as a result why we see many of the race winners lose esteem later in the summer. Just too many horses get caught in jams and even the best of runners don’t emerge until they get a fairer race later on.
Of course, with me, it’s like all the foreign runners on Breeders’ Cup Day. You really need to do your homework on those charges if you stand a chance at the window (oops…at the computer screen).  I grew up working at Laurel with the Washington, DC International and trying to get a fair read on the invaders was always my biggest problem with the race.
LAUREL ENDS MEET
Speaking of the Maryland track, there are two $75,000 races on Saturday’s closing day card. But no one knows the future of the track and Maryland racing.  The state, horsemen and Stronach Group continue to negotiate over the desire by Stronach to cut racing dates to just Pimlico next spring in conjunction with the Preakness. A state circuit that once had over 240 days of racing would be cut to 40. Stronach has offered to let the horsemen run their own meet at Laurel. It is very sad to see how things have crumbled in a real racing state. Here’s a New Year’s wish that they can get their act together.
MONMOUTH DOWN TO THE WIRE
One of most scenic tracks, Monmouth Park faces a deadline of its future. A deal to end state operations to a private investor has broken down after six months of wheeling and dealing. The latest offer is for the borough to take over a track that opened all kinds of eyes a year ago with their super meet. Imagine going from $800,000 daily purses to possible extinction in less than 18 months.
BREEDERS’ CUP FAVORITE RACING SUNDAY AT GULFSTREAM
Todd Fletcher’s FINALE whose three straight turf races sent him as favorite in the BC Juvenile Turf will try to rebound from a 7th place finish in the event in Sunday’s $100k Dania Beach at one mile over the Gulfstream oval. A field of 11 should provide an excellent race to handicap and wager.
SYMPOSIUM NOTES
I attended the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry symposium for the first time in 11 years last week in Tucson. The annual meeting is the only of its kind for the industry. Unfortunately, racing still has most of the same problems from my last visit.
Tracks continue to fail to find the formula to build a younger and new customer base while losing many of their regulars to other forms of entertainment. The only bright spot remains ADW’s such as Idabet.com which continue to grow. But like on track live racing, there are battles within this part of business which will undermine the sports elusive attempt to bring back the glory days.
As previously mentioned, players at some ADW’s are shut out by certain tracks and many tracks can’t get their signal on national cable TV. Good news for our players, better video and multiple screens are expected to be online next year. When you can’t get to the track, our goal is to provide you with the information, data and video in the future to match the on track experience.
As for the symposium, a few new ideas were generated always leaving hope that racing will soon be on the upward cycle and fans like you will continue to be provided with top notch service and support to increase your odds of winning.
Have a great weekend.
