Despite a "deeply rooted tradition and higher-than-
average interest," horse racing in MD is "stagnating,"
according to JoAnna Daemmrich of the Baltimore SUN.
Although off-track wagering has become increasingly popular,
"attendance continues to decline at racetracks and overall
revenues have remained relatively flat." A recent study
commissioned by the MD General Assembly and conducted by the
Univ. of MD found that many people who "expressed an
interest in racing rarely go" to the track. Of 1,020
surveyed, 4% said racing was one of their favorite sports,
compared to 60% for football and 53% for baseball. Many
"first-time visitors" to racetracks said that they were
"reluctant to return" because the tracks were "uninviting."
Report author Wayne Rhodes: "We believe the industry lacks a
strategic marketing plan. It's fine to sit back and say the
industry is changing, but we believe a reasonable objective
is to compete more effectively." Track and other industry
execs are trying to develop plans to share revenues and
"market the industry as a whole" (Baltimore SUN, 11/19).
DELAY ON PLANS FOR ATTACK: Part of the reason why a
marketing plan has yet to be completed is the "ongoing
dispute between" thoroughbred and harness tracks over
simulcast broadcasting rights (Baltimore SUN, 11/18).
