Much has been written in recent years about thoroughbred racing’s decline in popularity as a national sport and the need for new ideas to help revitalize our industry. While there are of course a number of different areas to address, there are some fairly basic and straightforward solutions to the problems we face that can benefit all industry stakeholders. Here are three simple, straightforward steps to help return our once proud sport to national prominence and profitability, without depending on casinos for an increasing part of our revenue;

1. Increase national television exposure and popularity. The Breeders Cup is our Super Bowl. Now we need a regular season. Create and market a “Road to the Breeder’s Cup World Championships”. 10 championship days, the first Saturday of every month from January – October. Championship races for each division, all at one track or spread out between several different venues. The winner of each race gets 5 points, 3 for second, 1 for third. The top eight horses by point totals at the end of each season get automatic berths into their respective Breeder’s Cup races, with post positions chosen in order of their standings.  Publish “regular season” standings (point totals in each division) in all the national sports and industry media. A schedule and a series even the most casual fan can follow. It works for all the other major sports and it’s easy enough to implement utilizing a coordinated series of existing graded stakes at major racetracks. Far better than “Win and You’re In”, a concept that does nothing to maintain interest in our leading runners through the season.
2. Integrity.  End the public image of a sport dominated by who has the best illegal drugs. Place every horse into a “race barn” 48 hours before post time and keep them there. Video cameras over each stall, the only person who can administer any medication is the State vet. Stop making excuses about the “cost and inconvenience” and get on with it. Our horses will run clean, the best trainers will win the most races, and our public image will be restored. End past posting, a national rule to shut off all wagering when the first runner reaches the starting gate will take care of that.
3. Attracting new owners into the game. Treat owners like the Kings in the Sport of Kings. Create an “owners club” at each track with a private entrance and parking area, plush box seating, separate wagering areas, complimentary programs, and good food and drink at a realistic price. People like a feeling of exclusivity. It works at nightclubs, sports stadiums, and restaurants. If owners are treated as special they’ll attend the races in person more often, bring their friends, wager heavily on-track, and everyone will benefit.

We are hardly the only industry that is moved to take action only when things get really bad. In many important respects, the climate for our industry is as bad as we’ve seen in decades. Is it bad enough for us to start hanging together to create real, positive change, or are we all going to hang separately until our sport is dead from inaction?

H. Robb Levinsky is the founder of Kenwood Racing