Where the hell do I start?
The problem, as I see it, is the lack of a unifying theory that governs horse racing. The individual fiefdoms and the petty lords that govern them do not lend themselves to cooperation and success.
The government holds the literal purse strings of our game and that federal adjudication induces the heterodox and sclerotic tendencies of the sport's superintendents.
That singularity separates our game from everything else. From that provenance, all decisions spurt. Small fields; large takeout; obscene breeding practices, prices and schedules; early retirement; restricted and expensive data; myriad jurisdictions and regulations; saddle cloth colors...all of it.
Jefferson's opinions regarding revolution notwithstanding, I am not advocating the violent overthrow of our government-although wiping the slate clean does have its allure.
I think the largest impediment to this game is the lack of central authority, in whatever form that has to take. I am not suggesting giving control to the federal or state government-they couldn't orchestrate a happy meal-my thought is for racing to appoint itself a central governing body and to adhere to its proposals and regulations across the board.
Without clearly defining the problem, then developing a philosophical algorithm if you will, we are all just taking up space. Once identified, we address the conditions the resolutions must adhere to in order to be effective.
This is of course my opinion and I am happy for the debate. I want ideas. What is the single thing that has to change in order for everything we all blather about to have the proverbial snowball's chance in hell of succeeding?
Without vision there can be no goal and without goals there can be no plan. Without a plan there can be no action and without action there can be no success. This is management 2.0.
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4 comments:
I just found out you're back. Great news! Racing needs a central governing body. Every other country has one. I don't know how anyone can not see that, but I don't see how to bring it about. I fear the sport needs to sink even further to the brink of death before this will happen. One set of rules across America is the only way forward. Then it's time to discuss what those rules will be, and everyone knows I have strong opinions on that, but that's for later.
"What is the single thing that has to change in order for everything we all blather about to have the proverbial snowball's chance in hell of succeeding?"
Gatherooski,
Not to be flippant, but I honestly believe that handle will have to hit the $6B or $7B range before something changes in a huge way like you mention (eg a central authority). I think it will have to implode, then get built back up. I think there are too many folks drawing paychecks, where the right decision will cost them that paycheck.
How's that for a happy thought?
PTP
Pull the Pocket-you are on to something, but even if handle sinks to record low levels-nothing will change, only the talk about it. Remember how after 9/11 we all said..now things change! Ha, fat chance
Gina-Amen
PTP-Are you looking at my notes for future posts?
I was thinking of how to work this concept into the conversation while de-constructing the premise. Breaking down the process into its component parts, if you will.
The first thing I was hoping to achieve was some consensus on what the problem actually is(all ideas are welcome). What it is we need to solve. Once we have an objective, then we can plot a course for how to get there and I thank you for moving the process along.
Facts and figures are what I need and what I don't have.
Like you, Cangamble and HANA, I believe the player is the unifying force in this little bullfight with racing's survival. It is within the scope of the mass of bettors, to pool their resources and rattle the cage in order to get heard, i.e. systematic betting outages or what have you on big race days. I'm not married to that idea, just don't see any other way.
I will flesh this out in a future post but for now am just trying to work down the chain in a systematic way in order to see if there are alternatives.
SS-I think the reason the post 911 love fest fell apart was because they didn't pass that freedom fry amendment.
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