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Young racetrack leaders call for
innovation at Symposium
Tucson, AZ - Nov. 7, 2011 - Young racetrack officials acknowledge racing has
problems but they believe innovative thinking can turn the sport around.
In the opening session of the Symposium on Racing and Gaming presented by the
University of Arizona Racetrack Industry Program on Tuesday in Tucson, Arizona,
four young track officials called for better marketing to attract young people
to the races, a better product possibly through reduced racing dates, better
marketing of the sport through the Internet and social media, and improved
integrity.
Andrea Young, president of Sam Houston Race Park, called for national central
leadership in the sport and increased regional cooperation to put on events. She
also said she would like to see more international cooperation, perhaps racing
days pitting one country’s horses against another country’s horses.
Young joined Zimny in noting that reduced race days can help improve the quality
of the daily product. Young noted that business at Sam Houston has been up
despite a recent 50% reduction in dates.
Later, Ken Lowe, president of the Charles Town Horsemen's Benevolent and
Protective Association, questioned the recent push to reduce racing dates,
noting that horsemen partnered with many tracks to pass favorable casino
legislation and that racing dates create a positive economic impact. Zimny noted
that Charles Town is not currently looking to reduce dates
Young also said that Sam Houston is able to garner $2-million a year in
sponsorships.
“I think it could be possible to put less emphasis on the gambling dollar,”
Young said, noting that she realizes it remains an important source of revenue.
She said tracks should put more effort into attracting sponsors, noting it helps
diversify interest in racing. “I think there is something to this though.”
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Thoroughbred Times
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