WANT TO SELL RACEDAY TO SPORTS FANS? LOOK TO DUBAI
Since the inception of the Paulick Report, I have stayed under the radar. Outside of the Eclipse Awards live blog and a few small ghostwriting opportunities, I have been the behind the scenes guy on a publication I am very proud to be associated with.
And this is for good reason. Before mid-June 2008, I was like most Americans when it came to horseracing. Somewhere around the last two weeks in April, I would jump onto ESPN.com and pretend to be an expert analyst when discussing the Derby field around “the water cooler.” (I’ve worked for myself for a while and therefore only have Brita filter, so please allow for the stretched euphemism)
After countless minutes of exhaustive research, I would find my “guy” and throw $20 his way. Win or lose, I would tune into the Preakness and plan on the Belmont Stakes if there was a Triple Crown shot. By the beginning of June, my racing season was ostensibly over.
I tell you this because after nearly a year on the Paulick Report staff, I have become a serious fan of racing. And furthermore, I believe it can be effectively sold to the average sports fan. It’s a more fascinating and exciting sport than I’d ever realized. And the really cool thing is you can bet on it – legally.
I’m a hardcore baseball fan whose prized possession of his childhood is a signed Carlton Fisk Louisville Slugger. Each year, I watch nearly every University of Louisville basketball game; from their home opener against North Minnesota State A & M to their final encounter in the tournament. And I am such an avid football fan that I traveled to Chicago to watch my Bears beat the Packers in -20 degree weather.
Unfortunately, the only reason I fell in love with this sport is because of my work here. Had I not been hired by Ray and found myself in a racing crash course, it’s unlikely I would have ever been a fan beyond the first Saturday in May.
I grew up in a major racing city, Chicago, and have lived in Derby Town U.S.A., for several years. The fact I had not been lured by a sport with so much to offer means there is a failure in selling the game to a passionate sports fan. Until Saturday, I wasn’t quite sure the path to redemption. But when I watched the stark contrast between our television production values and those in Dubai, I knew at least where we needed to start.
ESPN’s coverage of the Florida Derby was dry and appeared to have little time or money spent on the production value. It felt more like the third day of an average PGA tournament than a major Derby prep race. If I didn’t know better, I would have little concept of just how big the stakes (pun intended) were that day for the horses running at Gulfstream Park.
Television is a visual medium and therefore production value wins the day. When CBS produces the March Madness basketball tournament, they don’t make a sweeping shot over the court and deliver a distant camera angle like racing likes to do. Instead, they pop you in the mouth with exciting clips, exploding graphics and camera angles that put the viewer right at courtside. After the first five minutes of a broadcast, my heart is pumping and I’m so hooked I don’t even notice Ray calling me for the eighth time that day.
Before watching the Dubai World Cup’s live feed on Saturday, I would have just assumed Thoroughbred racing had a brother in hockey, a sport that simply loses something on TV. But as I continued to watch the Dubai coverage, with its emotional build and track view camera, a similar feeling came over my body. It was a new sense of March madness, one I hadn’t ever expected.
Guys like me want to find new sports to obsess over. We love the thrill of competition and thirst for new outlets to find that action. And a lot of us like to bet. Deliver us visual fireworks, place us on the field of play and get our hearts racing. Once we’re hooked, we will be customers for life. The sports fan is an obsessive creature and before too long, we’ll find ourselves watching midnight replays of claiming races at Ruidoso Downs on TVG. (I speak from experience)
But the Paulick business model probably won’t transfer. You can’t hire all of your potential fans.
Tags: Brad Cummings, dubai, espn, Florida Derby, Racing Television Coverage, tvg
March 30th, 2009 at 8:39 am
Rarely do I agree with blogs on this site. Most of them are from people that view the game as strictly a “bettors game”. Most of the blogs are from the aforementioned bettors or media hacks that dont know what end of the horse eats. Most of the blogs emphasis what is wrong with the sport, hey thats news right? Wrong. Your blog is dead on. In todays ever changing technological world the industry needs to keep pace. The breeders haven’t changed, nor the owners, trainers, and certainly not the horse. They all want to win. But winning isn’t what is happening with our industry. We have left the promotion of our sport to a handful that are not capable. Walk into a sports bar and you will see at any given time every sport known to man EXCEPT horse racing. Cricket, hockey, girls softball, bowling, martial arts, you name it. The industry has allowed factions to monetize the video delivery of the sport. It has intentionally shut off the emerging demographic we need so badly. Make me sick. Brad, the Dubai presentation was indeed special, same thing could happen here if the alphabet soups would get out of their box.
March 30th, 2009 at 8:49 am
It is refreshing that somebody finally gets it and attempts to explain the comparison and shortcomings. U.S. horseracing is not ready for prime time TV!
Unfortunately, virtual racing will be right around the corner to accomplish what seems unreachable by present production experts. It is unfortunate that automobile racing can “outgun” a 500 year old sport created with incredible pomp, pageantry and color. Interesting how the Brits have developed the betting and sports to complement one another without tearing themselves apart as they do here. Oh well, golf, tennis and soccer, in the hands of gentlemen have made it. Tea and crumpets anyone ?
March 30th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Brad -
What Florida Derby on ESPN were you watching? They started by showing Dunkirk and Quality Road arriving to the track…AT THE TOP of the show….then there was a cool graphic showing a timeline of historic Florida Derby’s.
They have the best broadcast team hands down with Randy Moss and Jerry Bailey…and brought us into a “March Madness” of their own with their “Top 5″ in the Derby picture and how the Florida Derby horses fit in. No?
One area we agree is on “bells and whistles”….as you’ve read….ESPN has cut back on televising horseracing because nobody wants to pay the 200K+ per broadcast. So, no, you’re not going to see a track level camera like the oil rich sheiks provide.
You show a vast lack of knowledge of horse racing and television. If you had any you won’t make such ridiculous statements.
Or maybe you’re satisfied watching morons like Ken Rudolph and Todd Schrupp on TVG.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:28 am
Please let me clarify one thing. I am a huge fan of the broadcast team. Randy Moss, Jerry Bailey and Joe Tessitore are a fantastic team.
This wasn’t a personal attack on anyone, just want people to understand that for better or worse, the Dubai telecast was far more engaging. Protest what I’m saying all you want but this magnificent sport has lacked the ability to reach out to a key demographic.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Until the monetization of the industry changes, we must realize that the sport relies on betting to generate revenues to tracks and provide the incentive to own and breed race horses through purse money. Finding better ways to promote the sport would be a means to help the industry, but it is not an end. Not everyone needs to be a Form-toting, Brisnet-researching, pick-four playing hardcore handicapper, but as racing brings in new people, it must find a way to get them to bet, even if it’s relatively small amounts.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Good article Bad reflecting what the rest of us have been feeling - frustration - and its only getting worse.
I’d think most people would agree that at least for the time being ESPN has checkout out of being an innovative partner with thoroughbred racing. Some would argue that has always been the case with more promises then actual delivery. (Comparatively, for example, NBC did an excellent job with the Breeders’ Cup coverage during their long tenure). We sadly should be prepared to expect the same half-hearted, paint by numbers, type of coverage on display this past weekend with the Florida Derby.
That’s a shame as just a few years ago I was an enthusiastic viewer of ESPN’s Breakfast at Churchill. It was a positive step with their shed row interviews of the contenders in the days just before the Derby. Fresh unique content, it took advantage of the fact a cable channel can be live at 7 am in Louisville on a Thursday, and it laid the groundwork that the first Saturday was going to be something to see.
That was then and this now with Joe Tessitore instead of Randy Moss as their main anchor. The fact that instead of pumping up the viewers with an exciting introduction suggesting we’ll see something great we are met with (and no disrespect) a tired narration by Bill Nack that just puts would be viewers to rest. Is this ESPN or Lifetime? We all know darn well they can produce and broadcast all kinds of content with high energy – right down to the World’s Strongest Man so why does horse racing get treated like the redheaded stepchild?
ABC/Disney has always seemingly been squeamish about the wagering aspect, NBC only marginally better and CBS’s foray with the Virginia Derby the same. Still Hank is just so unsmooth and that long running Hank’s Bank so silly that I’m waiting for the cliche band instrumental of “Wha wha wha uuuuuh” to be played after he looses. If they are going to try and do a Jimmy The Greek type of element that CBS did successfully do it right or not at all.
TVG/HRTV by comparison (and design) are exceedingly wagering focused with the Pick 4, Pick 6, et al to the point where the entertainment of racing is lost.
The camera footage of the Dubai World Cup is the standard by which the American classics should be delivered as well as the Travers, JCGC and other select premier races. Simply put there is no excuse to continue the same old 1950’s video broadcast of a stationary camera from the rooftop of the grandstand showing ants on the backstretch. That is fine for the economics of day to day races but when a race is to be more of an event, then treat it as such.
One basic step is that the NTRA should be vigorously working to seek out other partners for premium Saturday afternoon content. Engage other would-be providers such as SpikeTV, Fox Sports, or Vs to showcase the larger prep races in the future. To their credit a TVG does a very good job when they exclusively hosted the Blue Grass last year. Market penetration with a cable channel’s reach with households is key. If a Quality Road wins on TVG is little like a tree falling in the woods - does anyone notice?
Make marketing the sport with all its energy or risk falling further behind the likes of professional lacrosse …
March 30th, 2009 at 10:01 am
I don’t get Hammerin’ Hank. He isn’t able to articulate why he likes a certain horse or makes a certain bet. Heck, I don’t even think he can say articulate. There are so many other people they could use in that spot, he’s the weak link in an otherwise fine broadcast team. If ESPN is going to have someone talking about gambling and betting, can’t they get someone who has a more positive and knowledgeable appearance?
March 30th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Brad -
Do you have a CLUE who the “demographic” is that watches horse racing on tv? And, exactly WHO was Dubai trying to appeal to?
And, again, I ask you - have you EVER bothered to do REAL reporting and find out the finances behind these telecasts? Why don’t you find out what Dubai’s TV budget is compared to the average ESPN horse racing telecast?
Lastly, you compare CBS’ March Madness coverage (with a MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET!!) to the Florida Derby?
Wake up, kid.
March 30th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Oh yeah, and Hank Goldberg sucks.
March 30th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Television broadcasts need a handicapper who is well-spoken and can show that playing the races is an intellectually-rewarding activity. Unfortunately, as activities like sports betting and poker become socially acceptable, horseplayers are still seen as degenerates. There are people who work in racing and rely on betting dollars for their income who seem to look down upon horseplayers. The popular conception of the horseplayer needs an upgrade and television could be a good way to start.
March 30th, 2009 at 10:29 am
One can only hope that such a handicapper is more akin to the highly professional, well-informed, and articulate Nick Luck (from Racing UK) seen during the Breeders Cup vs. another just-for-grins John McCririck (aka “Mutton Chops”) … the broadcaster must treat the viewers with respect.
While another poster bashed the TVG crew I’ll give props to Simon Bray who co-anchored their Dubai studio coverage on Saturday. He’s been there with Cigar, knows the players, knows the course, can pronounce the riders/owners/jockey’s and ultimately added value.
March 30th, 2009 at 10:43 am
John, why so nasty? You can offer a differing opinion without the edge? I work in TV and have for 20+ years. Brad has every right to his opinion, in fact, he clearly stated that he is a new fan with a fairly mainstream viewer perspective and would like to see racing covered more like other sports.
Horse racing coverage has lacked for many many years. We ALL know that. Yes it is partly budget, lack of imagination, and certain folks taking the majority of the budget to line their pockets in the past…
Very good points made here about Nack VO - I like it, but who in the real world knows or cares? What does the Top 5 matter if I DON’T know the players (horses)? I know, you know, but If the demo is just the existing fan base then just move on ESPN and leave it all to HRTV and TVG. Randy and Jerry can come on over. Hank, stay home.
Brad’s admiration or preference of the Dubai coverage isn’t any less pertinent than your opinion that the hackneyed ESPN coverage will suffice. The demo for Dubai is potential tourists - and how do you do appeal to that? Oh, yes, you make the event, surroundings all seem fantastic and exciting? There are no easy solutions as this sport proves every day but I think you need to wake up a lot more than Brad does.
March 30th, 2009 at 10:43 am
John, I appreciate the flattery. You really know how to warm my heart.
So take out Florida Derby and insert Breeders’ Cup and you have the same lack of excitement, the same smallish production value. Shouldn’t that be what racing builds towards? It’s a great event.
And racing needs to invest in promotion much more heavily if it ever hopes to get out of its very small niche. Again, great sport that many other guys like me would gladly add to our repertoire if marketed to correctly.
I would hope the “demographic” would be sports fans. And Dubai did such a great job that even my non-sports fan wife watched with me hovering over my computer. That’s marketing gold.
Brad the “kid” over and out.
March 30th, 2009 at 10:44 am
From Cavonnier: “Until the monetization of the industry changes, we must realize that the sport relies on betting to generate revenues to tracks and provide the incentive to own and breed race horses through purse money.”
Yes purse money stems from betting revenue. Unfortunately, the revenue source from betting on horses is declining while the revenue source from betting on other things, mostly slots, is increasing.
In Dubai and other Arab-world venues there is no betting (as we know it). Indeed horse racing has no business model because horse racing is not a business. Fat cats and big pockets provide the money for everything. For the locals it is all about the bragging rights: The Sport of Kings (and other Sheikhs with similar titles).
March 30th, 2009 at 11:53 am
I don’t get Hank Goldberg either. To me, he just perpetuates the “lovable loser” racetracker cliche stereotype. The only thing missing is a fedora, plaid sportcoat and a cigar stub sticking out of his mouth.
I think he should be replaced with someone like Jessica Pacheco. She’s young, articulate, and a good handicapper. She can explain the reasons for her selections, and her bets have a better chance of showing a profit at the end of the telecast than Hank’s.
March 30th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
It seems John’s slam at poor Brad is typical of much of the industry’s approach to the casual or new fan. They smack you down and say you’re not a horseplayer so you can’t know anything, go home and study and come back when you’re ready to gamble. That attitude is slamming the doors on potential new fans. I saw a little of TVG when I was in America and it was pretty dismal. They really managed to take the horse out of horse racing and turn it all into a numbers/betting game. If I wasn’t already interested in racing it certainly wouldn’t have held my attention (and even then, it didn’t for very long).
As for betting in Dubai, it doesn’t officially exist, but why do you think they give all the foreigners their own party area with booze - and really good cellphone connections to get on to your bookie…
March 30th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
The success of Animal Planet’s show “Jockeys” is telling. If you tell a story and show the excitement, the audience will come — and stay. People who don’t care for racing watched the show and became fans. The trick will be in keeping them — by giving them what they want.
Aaron Gryder’s win - since he was one of the jockeys featured on the show — in the DWC should be exciting news. However, it will be missed by these new casual fans. Why? No easy coverage.
Unless your cable system had ESPN360 or you felt like braving the OTB (not the place for the new casual fan) or you had access to certain other outlets, you could not see the race — except on YouTube.
And for YouTube, you have to make an effort to hunt for the race.
March 30th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
I would much prefer to have Jessica Pacheco on ESPN because
(1) She’s a lot cuter and younger than Hank.
(2) She is very articulate.
(3) She makes her own speed figures (try doing that ever day).
(4) She provides her own wagering opinions.
I would like to say this in defense of Hank Goldberg. Picking horse races and making money as a public handicapper is EXTREMELY difficult. I have been in this game for over 20 years as a bettor and I only know two people that can do it on a consistent basis. Both of these men are math geniuses with IQ’s over 150. I’d like to see some of the the people ripping Hank for his lack of wagering success try it for 10 broadcasts and we’d see how they would do. My gut tells me they be getting the “whaa whaa whaa ughhh” treatment quite often.
March 30th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Brad, I enjoyed this post, as I came to this sport less than 5 years ago not knowing a thing about racing and it hooked me like it hooked you. I love to try and figure out the intellectual puzzle that is handicapping. We’re the types that the industry should be coveting as fans and bettors.
Yeah, the blogs can be whiny and critical at times (mine included) but it’s because we have such passion for the sport. I, like you, don’t know all there is to the sport or how much a TV production costs, but we know something good when we see it and those rail views were spectacular.
Keep the faith.
March 30th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Due to the tight window of time involved scant few viewers are going to be able to any real wagering upon Hank’s picks. So in truth it doesn’t really matter if he is always looking for a longs or a chalk eating weasle time and again.
It comes down that such a contributor is supposed to be insightful while also charismatic and smooth. Essentially a viewer wants to feel like they are hearing the inside word from a handicaper who has an ear in every stall on the backstretch. Or at least someone in the saddling area who can see who is a bad actor, etc.
Because of the success with AP’s “Jockey’s” maybe some broadcast will pick up Jimmy the ‘Hat’ Allard. The Bing Crosby look is cliche but the guy is a professional gamble who has made millions and is a rascal type of character who might work with some viewers.
Professionally in the role today Jill Byrne does that quite well at Keeneland for TVG; Mike Battaglia for all the criticism on his calling style knows racing and what he’s seeing. Last year’s BC had Hank Goldberg and Jessica Pacecho actually together on the Friday races and it was oil and water. No fault of Jessica, but it was a garbled mess.
March 30th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Note to those into the “rail view” of a race: There needs to be a CAR PATH along the inside of the rail to allow those views. Currently there isn’t a track in the USA set up to do that. Probably Belmont could be modified because it is so large. Most race tracks only have one turf course and they don’t really have the room to accommodate a car path.
March 30th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Dear Brad,
I really like your article. The coverage of horse racing period - is downhill. I wasn’t even aware that the Dubai World Cup was on saturday till I was at Aquaduct on Friday getting a program. No mention of Dubai in Bloodhorse, Daily News or New York Post. What is that telling you?I bought both papers on saturday (which I have been boycoting due to the .25 extra with no true value for your money) There was a small AND I mean SMALL - might have used a magnifing lens to spot it in the paper. If I want to see how Indian Blessing didin sunday’s paper, I have to look it up somewhere on the net. Which I feel frustrating. The daily news post 1 sentence about Desert Party. I am not just talking about that 1 race but the full days card. But even at Aquaduct on friday as I sat in the owners section with the trainer I worked for something is still missing. You can’t really hear the annoucements and I really feel they should put some microphones on the track to hear the beating of the hooves shaking louder than any subway. It really is just a let down for me. These guys really need some pr going on. I am truely sorry that I missed the coverage.
March 30th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Anthony - rewatch NBC’s coverage of the 2000 Breeders Cup’ Classic at Churchill Downs.
The claim of needing a car path can be overcome with different sweeping cameras. In fact I dare say that this particular race was captured in the final stretch perfectly because of the use of a jib, crane/arm nothing which is used already in NFL coverage today, etc. Mix that with HD and the fan will feel like you’re right in the middle of the race to the finish.
Below is that 2000 BCC. I’ll stand by my comments this should be the rule for presentation with the American classic races and not necessarily for even those G1 prep races due to cost.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRnirUnNJFg
March 30th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Excellent article. This is precisely why myself and others pitched the idea of “Take Back Saturday” at the NTRA marketing summit. Our idea was to square away regular Saturday racing coverage on a national level and to “tell a continuous story from the Kentucky Derby to the Breeders’ Cup.” Obviously major prep races beginning in February or March would be a part of the continuous story building up to the Derby.
My story is much like yours. I was born into baseball fandom, and hero-worshipped the “cardboard gods” I collected in baseball card packs. Having been born (but not raised) in Alabama, I also gravitated towards football - particularly SEC football and NFL football.
How I became a horse racing fan is a mystery to my family. It started the first time I witnessed a live horse race at home in Fair Hill, MD (we’re talking steeplechases here). From there it grew as I started forming a bond with certain horses in much the same fashion that I had cared for human heroes in football and baseball.
By the time a certain chestnut millionaire (ten times over) arrived on the scene, I was hopelessly addicted, but he just put things over the top. He’d been the horse I was longing to find, and that of course led to an even deeper obsession, which begot blogging, and the whole thing gets academic from there.
Anyhow, my point is that I firmly believe we do have the tools at our disposal to bring this game back to the forefront, but we’re never going to do it by pissing into the wind in a piecemeal and totally uncoordinated effort.
To those that doubt that we do have what we need, I usually reference the Olympics. I don’t usually give a rats about who wins a 500m breaststroke, or a downhill bobsled race, but doctor it up and turn it into a major television event and I’m absolutely hooked for 2 weeks time. I think I even cheered our Fencing team early on in Beijing, which was a personal first for me.
Saturday racing is where our money is. You saw what a “big day” does in Dubai. The trouble is that those days can’t just exist on their own, especially for the bigger race days in the U.S. We need to connect them contextually, make them available at a consistent time to the general public, and tell the stories we’ve already got. Giving the races context and explaining how they relate to one another (i.e., explaining the various paths to the Derby) gives folks a reason to care. Making them available at a consistent time means more folks will find the sport, and if it’s there on a regular basis, they’ll start to follow it.
Think of it - you saw Hank Goldberg and company talking about horses like Pioneer of the Nile and The Pamplemousse who have never yet been on national television. That’s what we’ve got to change. It makes more contextual sense to discuss those horses and their merits if we’ve been broadcasting the prep races they’ve run in to the viewing audience at large, not simply referring to them anecdotally with an “oh, you’ll see them in the Derby” mentality.
Keep up the good fight. And by god, let us take back Saturday!
March 30th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Brad - I thought ESPN did a great job covering the Florida Derby. It seemed to me like they tried to create a little excitement and educate the casual viewers about why it’s such an important race. They covered Dunkirk and his money troubles, talked about Quality Road and were generally very informative. There was a little bit of everyting and the show moved along quickly.
So what if the Dubai broadcast had closer camera angles. You also couldn’t tell (for most of the race) where the other horses were. And the announcer was shouting with an accent. Nothing to engage a casual viewer, in my opinion. I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree.
Now, everyone:
Why all the hating on Hank Goldberg? He’s not there to be taken seriously. He’s there for a little lighthearted entertainment. Yes, he is indeed the stereotypical picture of the degenerate gambler. That’s part of the schtick. Doesn’t anybody get it?
The girl they had for the Breeder’s Cup was awful.
March 31st, 2009 at 9:11 am
Hey “J”. I’d hardly say ESPN did a “great” job, but I guess it’s all relative.
However, why do I object to Hank Goldb erg? Because I don’t think the image of a degenerate gambler is really what racing needs. That’s a great message: horseplayers eat like a horse, can’t complete a sentence and sweat like pigs.
I’m sure he’s not a bad guy b ut does that mean we need to make him the poster child for horseplayers?
A guy like Andy Serling who does the NEw York handicapping would be a whole lot better than Hank.
March 31st, 2009 at 9:22 am
John said, “And, again, I ask you - have you EVER bothered to do REAL reporting and find out the finances behind these telecasts? Why don’t you find out what Dubai’s TV budget is compared to the average ESPN horse racing telecast?
Lastly, you compare CBS’ March Madness coverage (with a MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET!!) to the Florida Derby? ”
What you don’t get is no one cares about these excuses.
If the quality isn’t there, the masses just won’t watch.
March 31st, 2009 at 9:26 am
And for the record, count me:
-for Randy Moss, Jerry Baily, and European/Dubai-like camerawork (not just Dubai that has camerawork like that!)
-against Tessitore and I cannot stand Hank. His appearance on the screen gets my blood boiling. Who ever hired him to sit in front of a camera should be taken out back and…you get the idea. The man cannot complete a f’ing sentence. What is entertaining about this??
March 31st, 2009 at 9:46 am
Yeah J, I get Hank Goldberg’s shtick — I just don’t like it.
March 31st, 2009 at 7:14 pm
The track view camera angle in dubai was awsome. I really felt like I was in the race.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:13 am
Glimmerglass,
Thanks for the link. I’ve seldom seen an on-line opinion backed up so well. That particular race also supports Mr. Cummings’ suggestion that the visual aspect of racing can be compelling and entertaining even without a wager.
Mr. Stafford,
The “Take Back Saturday†idea is a good one and I wish your group success in implementing it. In my opinion, racing needs to be promoted on television as both a sport and a gambling/investment activity, but not simultaneously. A Saturday hour of racing showing the two or three best races nationwide in the manner illustrated by the video could be limited to the post parade, gate load, race, replay, and presentation to the winning connections. References to wagering could include displaying the current odds and possible win, place, show, and exacta payoffs for each starter when announced in the post parade; and the current odds for all contestants a few times during warm-ups…listed according to both program number and betting choice rank.
Commentary regarding each horse’s physical condition and demeanor would be appropriate as would a discussion of handicapping factors such as post position, pace, equipment changes, surface changes, jockey/trainer changes, trouble encountered last time out, breeding, and recent medical procedures. I would like to hear analysis as to why the top betting choices were so well regarded and their competition less so (as opposed to individual selections) and where comparative value might lie.
Race analysis and selections shows can also be entertaining as well as informative depending upon the personalities and celebrities involved. Perhaps webcasts with popular hosts could compete for subscriptions. I personally prefer to watch the webcasts that feature replays showing why some performances can be excused — and why others may not be as good as they appear – on the day/evening prior to the actual event, but others prefer to make their decisions as close to post time as possible. There is room for all, and the best might benefit from funding independently of wagering. Live tote data and official payoffs are always available on-line for serious bettors.