On December 22, the owners of 2011 Pepsi North America Cup victor Up The Credit announced that the son of Western Terror will breed and race in 2012. Now, Jeff Gural, arguably the biggest proponent of keeping racing's stars on track, has commented on the decision
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To view the announcement in regard to Up The Credit's plans for 2012, click here.
“Up The Credit’s return to the races will provide racing fans the opportunity to watch a major stakes-winning three-year-old compete for another season, rather than disappear into the breeding shed,” Gural has been quoted as saying, via release. “I applaud their (the connections of Up The Credit) decision and am hopeful that others will consider continuing to race their top horses while breeding them in the future.
"We encourage breeders to support Up The Credit as it shows that the Jamiesons recognize the current model of retiring our best three-year-olds is not working and we need to take some chances for the long term benefit of the industry.”
Tebow vs Brady was the most
Tebow vs Brady was the most bet on game this year (including the Super Bowl) and it was a regular season game! Why might one wonder? Because people are interested in watching the best of the best compete. Greatness peaks interest!
Mr Carter, Are you alluding
Mr Carter,
Are you alluding to one of the 4 large poker company's that vanished from the internet along with everybody's money. It's nice to have lower take out and I am sure it is coming in harness racing however I'd rather pay a few points more and know that my money is where it is safe and regulated by the government then with someone I don't know or trust. This is not the first time these sportbooks or poker sites pull a vanishing act with the customers goods.
In regards to Mr. Gural I applaud his initiative into the world of harness racing. He is putting his money where his manhood is and anything he wants to do can only be an improvement on this sport. Breeding and racing was an old tradition that is still beeing practiced in Europe and the sport of harness racing is doing much better there then we are here.
Mr Gural is nothing but a breath of fresh air for this stale sport. The way I look at it if he's only 50% right with his changes the sport will still improve.
Mr. Irving, you are 100%
Mr. Irving, you are 100% correct. The industry as it is today cannot compete with single game sports betting nor can it compete with poker and many other forms of gambling but it could at least start trying to compete by reducing the takeout to 10% or less in every pool. I for one feel that people are being a little hard on Jeff Gural as he is at least trying to keep the industry alive. The only thing that disappoints me when it comes to Jeff Gural is, it was only a couple of years ago on trot radio that he said something like for the game to survive and attract new gamblers the industry had to compete with other forms of gambling by reducing the takeout to about 8 to 10% in every pool. He was of course 100% correct in this assessment but since he has taken over the big m i have not heard him say it once. Mr.Gural if you read this forum, this former ex horse player would like to know where you stand on this issue now.
I totally agree with you Mr.
I totally agree with you Mr. Horsman. As for you Mr. Gural how many mares will you be breeding to Up The Credit?
AH Mr. Irving you speak the
AH Mr. Irving you speak the truth and Racing hates you for it!!
"provide racing fans the
"provide racing fans the opportunity to WATCH a major stakes-winning three-year-old compete for another season"
Watch is all we are going to be doing when they race,since they will be be 1-9 favorites.
Why bet a 1-9 at the track when you still have to beat 9 other horses!Wait till one team sports betting comes to town and your bet only has to beat ONE other team.
Your industry as it is today will not be able to compete against ONE TEAM SPORTS betting.
I think Jeff Gural's love of
I think Jeff Gural's love of harness racing is obvious, and it will be a while before he is putting a lot of profit in his pockets. New initiatives must be put forward and changes attempted if there is any hope of reviving public interest and attracting new bettors to the sport. Not all of the ideas may work, but they sure have to be tried.
Regardless of what people
Regardless of what people seem to think, Jeff Gural isn't the second coming of Christ, every move he make, every plan he promotes or supports, will ultimately put money in Jeff Gural's pocket. Just one more thought to ponder as standardbred racing moves into 2012, maybe all the eggs shouldn't be put into one basket, Mr. Gural being the figurtive basket in this case. For all the talk of having 3 years old go on and race as 4&5 year olds, there doesn't seem to be much talk about bigger purses and more races for them to compete in. There will be fewer people buying horses because they will have to compete against this elite group for an two extra years , these being the years where horses just a little below this level would have an opportunity to increase their earnings for their career. Before praising any one man or woman as being the massiah of harness racing, maybe we should examine their motives.
Well said Mr. Gural!
Well said Mr. Gural!