Take a friend to the racetrack

Last Friday was a special day for me, my family and close friends. We spent the day after Thanksgiving at Del Mar and we could not have had a better time.

You may think I’m slightly nuts glowing over a visit to a racetrack. But when horse racing is presented in a first class manner, it’s the best sport, and gambling game, going.

Del Mar is among a select few racetracks that has a strong, positive brand even to those outside of horse racing. Others I would list include Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Santa Anita Park and Saratoga.

That brand was tested this inaugural Bing Crosby meet and it came through like a champ. Del Mar’s average daily attendance was 9,055. That’s well below the summer meet, but a number most racetracks around the country would love to have.

The visit reminded this old hound how enjoyable a day at the races still is. I took three people from my party, who had never been to the races before, down to the paddock for saddling. Later I took them to the apron to see a start and finish of a route race.

It is easy to overlook the simple pleasures of the sport. I spent the first two decades of my career working at racetracks so I’ve been there. It was fun seeing these novices take in the experience like it was Christmas day.

For the past 16 years I’ve lived in Las Vegas betting in local race books or from my home office. In many ways, this experience has become just as valuable for growing the sport as being at the track.

More and more people are being introduced to horse racing via simulcasting. I lump the fine efforts of HRTV and TVG into the mix.

What I’m getting at is this. There remain many more positives about horse racing than negatives. For those of us who enjoy the sport, we need to take it upon ourselves to promote horse racing.

I have written about this topic multiple times before. One idea I keep floating out there is a need for a national day when everyone involved in racing invites one newcomer to experience the game be it on-track or off-track.

The learning curve is very steep for horse racing. Being side by side with a novice allows that person a comfort zone.

If this was done regularly and the retention rate was say, 25 percent, one could visualize how many new people would start following the sport.

I have read where a Triple Crown winner could revitalize racing. I agree only in part. The thrill would have a short term effect, maybe for as long as the horse kept racing. For example, if horses like Cigar and Zenyatta could only move the popularity needle so far, why would another superstar horse be more successful?

The foundation to building interest centers on liking the horses, in general, and in the gambling. I was fortunate that my picks for Del Mar last Friday were spot on, and everyone in my party won money. That’s not always the case.

But even if a novice at first wants to bet a color, a name, a number, who cares? There is time to build up the fundamentals of handicapping if the new person’s interest is sparked from the very start.

Richard Eng’s horse racing column is published Friday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He can be reached at rich_eng@hotmail.com. Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick.