Spent a recent Friday night at Maywood Park watching the trotters go around the half-mile oval a couple of times., There were more horses on the track than there were fans in the stands.
How sad is this. There were exactly TWO betting windows open: one for gimmick bets and one for regular bets. That was it. TWO betting windows in the entire place.
The seven of us on hand actually had to stand in line and wait to bet, which is the only thing that felt like the old days at the track.
Where have all the racing fans gone? Are they at the OTB’s? Are they at the casinos?
One thing is for sure: If the plan to save racing in Illinois is to put slot machines in the track clubhouses, they’d better move quickly … before the seven of us harness-racing fans who are left take our betting dollars elsewhere.
Leave a comment