Well Said, If I Can Dream overcome bad Jug posts -- Hoof Beats Talking Points

feeds@kickapps.com (USTrotting) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:10:21 GMT

When the 2009 Little Brown Jug split with divisions of 10 (and two trailers) and nine (with one trailer), racing was up in arms, and Jug officials quickly worked to ensure it never happened again. But then the two elimination winners came from post 10 and post 8. Did the overflow field really make a difference?

British Columbia to centralize authority-- Hoof Beats Talking Points

feeds@kickapps.com (USTrotting) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:08:02 GMT

Harness racing in British Columbia is moving toward a centralized authority, with an important provincial official proposing a "government manager" to oversee the sport. The move is called "necessary for the future of harness racing." Could such an idea work in North American racing as a whole?

States That Allow Live Parimutuel Standardbred Racing

feeds@kickapps.com (Pacingguy) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:39:31 GMT

Does anyone know which states allow live parimutuel standardbrd racing? I am not asking which states currently have live racing, but states that legally allow parimutuel racing on the standardbred bred; they may have had in the old days a parimutuel meet in the old days but no longer do but it is legislatively still allowed or perhaps the state never had standardbred racing but their rules allow it. Using quarterhorses as an example. NY once hard a quarterhorse track that went out of...

Muscle Hill/Lucky Jim Match Race? Hoof Beats Talking Points

feeds@kickapps.com (USTrotting) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:44:53 GMT

Hoof Beats received an e-mail from a racing fan advocating a match race between Muscle Hill and Lucky Jim to see who is the better trotter. Match races have a long and popular history-often in Thoroughbred racing, where the...

National Racing Commission? Hoof Beats Talking Points

feeds@kickapps.com (USTrotting) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:38:46 GMT

Association of Racing Commissioners International president Ed Martin

Little Brown Jug Simulcast Program

feeds@kickapps.com (Pacingguy) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:03:16 GMT

Every year I am amazed by the simulcast program put on by the Delaware County Fair. As far as I am concerned each parimutuel track should have a program similar to this for every day of racing. A great idea for a HoofBeats story is an interview of those involved with the simulcast program to see what goes into putting the program on. What kind of prep work does the simulcast team do to get read, after all Sam McKee and Ellie Sarama are not in Ohio during the whole fair season yet they seem...

Had a great customer service experience with a mutuel teller at a harness racetrack? Tell Hoof Beats!

feeds@kickapps.com (caitbarnett) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:11:55 GMT

We love telling our friends about the sport, but what are their first experiences like? Pari mutueling betting can be confusing, with a high learning curve. What are tracks doing to help new customers through the process? Customer satisfaction at the tracks is one way to guarantee fans return to the tracks over and...

Photo Finish

feeds@kickapps.com (STBDgirl) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:43:44 GMT

If you all check out Photo Finish in the newest Hoof Beats, that is my horse Independent Act (Indy) with my friends toddler sitting on him. She insisted on dressing him up for 4th of July. I was standing right next to his head, thats not seen in the photo thank goodness, for anyone wondering who was there for safety. He is wonderful with the little ones on the horse farm.

Red Mile looks to develop part of its property -- Hoof Beats Talking Points

feeds@kickapps.com (USTrotting) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:44:35 GMT

Plans have been announced to develop more than half of The Red Mile grounds into condominiums, apartments and retail space.

Though racing has a place in the proposal, with the retention of the Stable of Memories, track and grandstand, some feel it will not leave the sport enough space and could spell the beginning of the end of the historic facility.

What do you think?

Philly editorial eyes gaming revenues -- Hoof Beats Talking Points

feeds@kickapps.com (USTrotting) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:43:09 GMT

An editorial in the Philadelphia Daily News was one of the most direct challenges yet to the money racing is receiving from slots revenues.

The piece noted that while Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell is asking for cuts in the government and a tax on smokeless tobacco and natural-gas extraction, and suggesting a tax increase may be inevitable, while racing reaps big bucks from the slot revenue. It also struck fear in the hearts of horsemen and track operators by suggesting that someone...

Hoof Beats Blog--Updated Every Week Day!

feeds@kickapps.com (NicoleKraft) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:05:40 GMT

EPM exams, update on Sharky Spur, great Maine harness racing site all topics of today's blog at www.hoofbeatsmagazine.com. Hope you will check it out.

Hoof Beats Looking For 14 yr. Old's War Stories.......

feeds@kickapps.com (Lastontothelead) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:51:32 GMT

It is appropriate that thread #900 on the Sphere be dedicated to warriors that make it to retirement age. According to Nicole Kraft, Hoof Beats is looking for stories on these great athletes. I hope some spheresters can come through with some great ones:

Dish Network launches racing subscription package -- Hoof Beats Talking Points

feeds@kickapps.com (USTrotting) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:41:38 GMT

Dish Network, a leader in satellite television, entered a long-term agreement with Racetrack Television Network and HorseRacing TV for creation of a subscription racing package. The $49.99 per month package will include 80 channels of racing--harness, Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Greyhound--with each track in the package to have its own dedicated channel.
The feed will include full wagering information, paddock shots and post parades, and as many as 700 races a day.

Have...

Iowa harness racing on the ropes -- Hoof Beats Talking Points

feeds@kickapps.com (USTrotting) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:39:43 GMT

Iowa harness racing likely said "thanks for nothing" when consultants hired by Prairie Meadows recommended a reduction of race dates for 2010-including an elimination of all but two days of the Standardbred meet.
The report stated that Prairie Meadows is diluting its resources by trying to support three breeds of racing.
It recommended a 56-day Thoroughbred-only season, 19 days of quarter horse racing and a two-day harness meet. It did, however, support continuing the...

Rallies in MI, OH and KY -- Hoof Beats Talking Points

feeds@kickapps.com (USTrotting) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:37:14 GMT

Horsemen in Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky recently held rallies at their respective capitol buildings to show how much horse racing means to the economy. Great job getting your voices heard! We need to keep up the pressure. Remember that your legislators work for you-and contacting them to show how much racing means to their district can only help our cause.

If you live in these states, have you contacted your legislator? What else can be done to show local lawmakers how important...

HB Talking Points - Purses up at Scioto Downs

feeds@kickapps.com (USTrotting) — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:46:49 GMT

From the June 2009 issue of Hoof Beats. Please add your thoughts below.

Ohio racing is suffering through stormy times, but the clouds parted recently around Scioto Downs in Columbus, which, days before its opening, announced a purse increase due to success from the 2008 meet. Ohio horsemen and fans-let's keep the momentum going and help Scioto help racing! For information on visiting the track, visit

HB Talking Points - Star power at major races

feeds@kickapps.com (USTrotting) — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:30:26 GMT

From the June 2009 issue of Hoof Beats. Please add your thoughts below.

Hockey legend Gordie Howe will be the drawmaster for this year's running of the Queen's Plate Thoroughbred race, June 21 at Woodbine. Country music sensation LeAnn Rimes sang the national anthem at the Kentucky Derby. Toronto Maple Leafs' general manager Brian Burke is drawing the card for the North America Cup.
Having prominent personalities as part of racing action is not the cure to our ills,...

HB Talking Points - Big Dee's bit recall

feeds@kickapps.com (USTrotting) — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:27:54 GMT

From the June 2009 issue of Hoof Beats:

Bad things happen to good companies, but it is a pleasure to see one such business taking care of its customers when an issue arises. Big Dee's proactively announced problems with half-cheek snaffle bits that broke while in use. Big Dee (Dennis Osterholt) has now requested that all those bits be returned to be replaced. That is good business! (Contact Big Dee's at www.bigdweb.com, or call 800.321.2142.) See a video

Must Read Article

feeds@kickapps.com (Pacingguy) — Sun, 24 May 2009 19:50:06 GMT

While not appearing in Hoofbeats, this is a tremendous story of overcoming adversity. Hoofbeats would do well to get the rights to this story and publish it.

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090524/SPORTS/905240339/-1/SPORTS

Grandstand View: Racing in jeopardy

feeds@kickapps.com (TJBurkett) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:58:03 GMT

Nancy Johansson, daughter of trainer Jimmy Takter and wife of trainer-driver Marcus Johansson, wrote on www.hoofbeatsmagazine.com how harness racing is in trouble. You can read the story here:

http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=30915&z=43

What do you think?

Hoof Beats Magazine