Archive for December, 2008

This May Hurt Business

by Ed Meyer

posted on December 23, 2008 in News | No Comments >>

A decision by a leading offshore bookmaker to stop carrying North American horse races certainly is significant, even if the reasons for the decision are unclear. Pinnaclesports.com, which bills itself as the “Internet’s leading sports betting site,” offered little in terms of explanation when it announced it would stop carrying United States races on December […]

Tropical Downs

by Ed Meyer

posted on December 17, 2008 in General Discussion | No Comments >>

Noted author Mark Cramer’s latest novel, “Tropical Downs,” is an allegory about a proposed racetrack of the same name. By the time readers reach the end of the story, they have learned a lot more than whether Thoroughbreds will ever compete at the Bolivian oval. Tropical Downs continues the story of Matthew Bosch, who readers […]

The Week In History

by Ed Meyer

posted on December 16, 2008 in General Discussion, News | No Comments >>

I am a fan of everything history. I enjoy learning about where we have come from, and what took place when. I came across some milestones in racing. These are dates that some may remember, and for those new to the game, they can be another lesson.  Take a look at what has happened through […]

Breeders’ Cup Turnaround

by Ed Meyer

posted on December 16, 2008 in Breeders Cup, News | No Comments >>

Five days after it announced it was suspending its North American Stakes program, Breeders’ Cup has apparently reversed itself and decided to fund the program for 2009, according to two members of its board. The organization has come under intense criticism from breeders across North America, who already had contributed stallion and foal nomination fees […]

When Will The Bleeding Stop?

by Ed Meyer

posted on December 16, 2008 in General Discussion, News | No Comments >>

Fort Erie Racetrack’s string of 111 consecutive years of live horse racing is in danger of coming to an end. The track, which opened its gates in 1897, indicated yesterday in a media release through owner Nordic Gaming Corporation, that there is no guarantee of thoroughbred racing next year. The announcement followed a meeting with […]

C’mon In!

by Ed Meyer

posted on December 16, 2008 in General Discussion, News | No Comments >>

At first glance, Santa Anita’s announcement Thursday that it will offer free general admission on Fridays during its 2008-09 Winter-Spring meet (except opening day), smacks of track officials trying to hit the economic crunch head on. But the truth is that a drop-off in weekday attendance has been a problem at race tracks for a […]

Don’t Count Out Winter Racing

by Ed Meyer

posted on December 16, 2008 in General Discussion | No Comments >>

I think that this time of the year is generally thought of as the “middle time” in racing. The summer and fall tracks are over for the season, and the best racing has yet to begin for winter. I used to believe that, until I was playing in a handicapping contest this past weekend. The players […]

Are They Safer?

by Ed Meyer

posted on December 15, 2008 in General Discussion | No Comments >>

While watching simulcasting, in a span of a half-hour today, I have seen a horse break down on Hollywood Park’s Cushion Track and another one over Golden Gate Fields’ Tapeta surface. Last night a horse suffered what appeared to be a bad leg fracture, and fell while in a clear lead racing over Turfway’s Polytrack. […]

Six Common Mistakes

by Ed Meyer

posted on December 14, 2008 in General Discussion, Handicapping | No Comments >>

Horse players have to take a hard look at their methods from time to time. Just as any business venture, playing the races can be a process where you have to tweak out the bugs. Here are a few ideas that may help before you make your way to the window. 1. Playing too many […]

Good Guys Do Win….

by Ed Meyer

posted on December 14, 2008 in News | No Comments >>

The Turf Publicists of America help to promote the sport of Thoroughbred racing, but on May 3, the Sport of Kings’ found a great ambassador in someone who shared his thoughts on one of the sport’s worst moments. One day after walking to the winner’s circle to celebrate Proud Spell’s win in the Kentucky Oaks […]