Clarion call

Paulick Report has a transcript of Fred Pope's speech at the recent UofA symposium on racing, held in Tucson.

I won't pretend to understand the ADW structure and host track source fees, nor to have a feel for the true cost of ownership and breeding schedules, etc. I am not a heavy bettor, so I do not have a clue what they look for in betting providers or rebates.

Mr. Pope's presentation sounds legitimate and seems to provide a sensible alternative to the cluster that is our system.

Who should he be presenting this to? I don't know that anyone that was at the symposium has any power to implement those proposals. What are the arguments against his plan?

If the proposal honestly has the future benefit of the game at heart, who is against it and why? What are the reasons? Is it just just the myopic greed of of those in control of the money right now? If the plan has the potential to deliver a weekly handle of $100 billion, what is the problem?

There needs to be an honest debate on this. Eschew the sensationalism that is, sadly, the norm in this day and age, and come together and make it happen.

If the NTRA honestly has the success of the game as its goal, it needs to hold a summit with the real players in this game; be willing to step aside if that is what is called for. Mr. Waldrop, you talked a big game back in Vegas. If this is a legitimate proposal bring it to the fore or come out with an honest counterargument. Forget your titular. Be the steward you purport to be.

If the solution is really as straightforward as Mr. Pope has outlined, it deserves the chance to succeed. If it is not, it, at least, deserves to be explained away.