New Poll, Most Fan Friendly Industry Change
I see #11, #10, #9, #5, #4 and #2! (EVENT OF THE YEAR PHOTOS)
It’s getting to be that time of the year, the time for year end polls! Thoroughbred Times unveiled theirs today and it’s pretty good. Last week they asked for some feedback and ideas on Twitter and my suggestion became question 14!
But the three answers on the Thoroughbred Times poll aren’t the only fan friendly moves that took place this year. In fact, I would argue it was a great year to be racing fan. Plenty of talent racing? Check. Exciting and down right historical races? Yep. The industry remembering that owners and breeders are not their only customers? Indeed and a welcome trend it is.
In no particular order other than as they came to me, here’s what I came up with so far, let me know in the comments what else I’ve missed. There could even be more! I didn’t include Churchill’s night racing because of the complaints of the ticket price ($10). But, if you think it belongs in the poll let me know.
BC saddle cloth standardization
Some people didn’t like this while others gave it the big “eh”. This is actually my vote for most player friendly move. I know it helped me to be able to tell who was who both in the warm up and the races.
BC ticket prices
It’s always nice not to be gouged! This move received plenty of positive response in the form of “it’s about time” (the horseplayers version of positive feedback?). It seems to have worked since attendance was up 11%!
BC online ticket sales
It seems so simple yet so few do it, moving ticket sales online might have also helped with the attendance increase. Should I be filling out my Saratoga form yet? Where’s that pen?
CD/KEE/FG in HD
Several tracks started broadcasting their simulcast signals in HD this year and Allicansayiswow! Seriously, this game was meant to be broadcast in HD and not to harp on a point (stage whisper) all the other sports are doing it.
YouBet My ROI
If you don’t have a YouBet account you’re missing out on some serious metrics. With a single click you can determine your ROI by track, bet type, surface, race type, breed, distance, trainer and jockey/driver. I seriously hope this feature is rolled into TwinSpires. TwinSpiresTV + My ROI = perfection.
@BH_RaceResults
Oh ye of little Twitter faith are missing a handy Twitter stream provided by Bloodhorse that provides race results from what seems to be every track. Each result also links to a handy race result page on the Bloodhorse site that provides results, payouts, pedigree information and replays where available.
DRF’s Digitized Archive
The beginnings of the DRF’s outstanding digital archive was rolled out by the Keeneland Library this year. Obviously this is an incredible and important source available for all to use, for free… so feel free to donate while you’re whiling away the hours over there!
DRF Ticketmaker
Making tickets for multi-race exotics is a giant pain, but thanks to DRF you can now get a little help! I don’t get that fancy with the multi-race wagers but the few times I did it took freakin’ forever to make the tickets, and that time is better spent making actual handicapping decisions.
Equibase Scratches Today
We have our pals at HANA to thank for the next two entries. Through their hard work and perseverance on behalf of players everywhere, Equibase now provides real time scratches! Another one to file under “it’s about time”.
Bris/Equibase Free Historical Charts
And finally, some free data for the people! Sure one can quibble that Bris requires a credit card AND your social security number to open an account (and to add insult to injury the SS# is for forgotten password verification! feel free to use a fake SS# when registering, just write it down in case you forget your password! FAIL.). But back to the data, say it with me everyone… “it’s about time!”.
Three cheers and keep up the good work to all in the industry who have pushed for and succeeded in getting innovations and change on behalf of fans and players. THANK YOU!
In our last poll about Lava Man being back in training, the majority of you were cautiously optimistic and jazzed about stem cells. This poll started off in a dead heat. Up until about 16 votes in each category it could have gone to any of the answers. He still hasn’t raced so we’ll just continue to be cautiously optimistic and know that at the very least he’s probably more happy training than hanging out in the pasture.
As always, thanks!
Update - Late Entry!
TwinSpires Cancel Bet
I KNEW I was forgetting something! How many times have you wished you could cancel a bet? (and I’m not talking about after the race!) Of course, the first time I used this featured the bet I canceled ended up being the winning exacta, but that doesn’t mean the feature isn’t innovative and fan friendly!
Posted by dana on Nov 17 2009
Filed Under: Impressive, 2009, Twitter, HANA, Industry, Poll, Fans, Lava Man, :), Internet, Racing
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Loading ...
My two cents on stems cells…
I guess you have two real big issues to consider-firstly, is the horse a candidate-from a dollars and cents POV. The operation itself isn’t all that expensive-but you’re looking at a 12 month or better lay-up. Folks ain’t gonna pull the trigger on that for a nickle claimer.
Secondly–is the animal one of calm temperment–will he be cool headed enough to remain in a stall or very small pen for an extended period of time-and not undo what the treatment was intended for.
Anyway-had it done to an old hard-knocking gelding up at UF and the result was nothing short of spectacular (bowed tendon). He was a real good candidate for it–easy going old guy who just was happy to be at the track or around other horses. I really think it could work out fine for Lava Man–if he’s still interested in racing-and won’t be happy as a pony-why not? He was a great one-I’m sure his heart is still in it-he’s made enough to pay for the surgery and off time a thousand times over–give him the opportunity!
Best,
PEM
I’ll take a wait and see approach on how Lava Man races in his return before passing judgment. While the Stem Cell procedure may have cured his old woes, he has still not defied Father Time and that may also have a telling effect on whether he’s successful in his return.
I also look forward to GbG posting regularly again. :P
Happy Holidays !
PEM - interesting re: your stem cell results. I don’t know what Lava Man’s temperament is but I’m definitely hopeful.
TKS - fair point and thx! :)
Cancel Bet feature is an example of be careful what you wish for! I;m going to stay away from that button.
HD signal from FG looks awesome!
Yeah, I think I’ll be using it sparingly. That was actually the only time I put in an erroneous bet, except once where I meant to put in a $2 exacta and ended up making it $5 (because my previous bet had been $5, I using the machines at Saratoga).
Haven’t watched FG yet, but CDs look great!
BH_RaceResults is an excellent example of how Twitter can actually be useful ! I checked it out and immediately started to follow it. Thanks for the tip!
You’re quite welcome! I was pretty impressed when I found it. Twitter has almost replaced RSS for me between Thoroughbred Times & Bloodhorse with their news feeds out to Twitter, all the tracks I follow posting news, scratches, etc + most blogs do RSS to Twitter … having race results just sweetens the pot!
What good are the saddle cloths without hi-def? And what good is hi-def w/o hi-def televisions (wish the MJC wasn’t bankrupt!)? I voted for hi-def. You are so right — this sport was made for it. Just like hockey, hell, everything, benefits from it. Would be nice to see every track go in that direction. It’s a must. By the way, I (am not ashamed to admit I) watch a lot of races from South American tracks, thanks to Magna and Calder, and it’s like watching a worn-out VHS copy of ABC’s Wide World of Sports from 1972 . . . in Spanish! If you don’t follow your horse every step from the moment the gate latch is popped, you have no clue if you won. And even more exciting? Trying to figure out who completed the exacta! If you don’t speak or understand Spanish, it’s especially fun to turn it up loud and hear an unintelligable race call! Uh oh, the flag is up for a “reclamo.” DQ? Fantastico!
Actually, I want to make the importing of South American racing my most fan-friendly industry change. Love it.
Ah yes, but saddle cloths are also good at the track and def helpful without the high def!! But I hear you.
Ha, I remember watching some South American racing when Tomcito seemed poised to take the Triple Crown by storm… sort of fun to listen to only because I wasn’t seriously trying to watch the race.
Hi -def great, saddle coths great too. and i love the Romper Room reference under the photo.
Trackback: MyROI was featured on a blog article on the Most Fan Friendly Industry Change on Green But Game.