Weekday races could help small tracks

The Equibase Company released its year-to-date horse racing economic indicators through August. Considering the poor state of our nation's economy, the numbers could be worse.

Purses are down just 0.2 percent, so horsemen should be thrilled. Wagering is down 7.7 percent, but that is misleading. Race dates also are down 6.3 percent. With 37 fewer dates and fewer races to bet on, overall handle logically will be lower.

The racing industry probably could reduce the downturn in handle by half with a couple of common-sense adjustments.

The easiest is for tracks to stop running races over one another. On weekends, when as many as 25 to 30 tracks are running, conflict is unavoidable. But if the biggest-handle tracks agreed to a simple time line, as is done in Europe, the overlaps could be minimized.

Thus, for example, a horseplayer could bet the 2:10 p.m. from Saratoga, the 2:15 p.m. at Arlington, the 2:20 p.m. from Del Mar, etc.

Which leads to my second idea.

Again, on any given weekend, 25 to 30 tracks are running. On weekdays, especially Mondays through Wednesdays, there are hardly any. Just look at the Daily Racing Form or watch HRTV or TVG; there is little product available on weekdays to bet on.

I suggest a more balanced racing schedule would boost overall handle. Is it smart for smaller tracks to compete with Del Mar and Saratoga head on when they can have the weekdays to themselves?

Granted, the weekday audience is smaller. But being a big fish in a smaller simulcast pond can be beneficial.

A balanced schedule also would use HRTV and TVG reach and marketing power to the max. I suspect they would rather make money taking bets on live races than broadcasting stakes reruns or infomercials.

■ JOCKEY'S GUILD -- I can't say to a jockey "I know how you feel" because I never will. But this summer, we've seen personal issues arise with Robbie Albarado, Tyler Baze and Calvin Borel, among others, and the sad death of Michael Baze.

The Jockey's Guild is there to support these athletes who are under enormous stress. Thus, when I heard that Churchill Downs is pulling its financial support of the Jockey's Guild, it doesn't seem right.

■ RAPID REDUX -- This amazing claimer has won 16 races in a row. His next start will be tonight in Race 8 at Charles Town Racetrack in West Virginia.

Rapid Redux's streak has come at seven tracks and over seven distances ranging from five furlongs to 1 1/8th mile. Seven jockeys have won on Rapid Redux, too.

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.