David O'Rourke | Horse Racing Free Tips

The Week in Review: Industry Needs to Embrace Fixed-Odds Wagering

Monmouth Park announced last week that it will begin to offer fixed odds wagering starting May 7, opening day of the meet. That was the good news. The bad news was that fixed odds betting will begin with a cautious rollout and without the major players in the sport on board.

Starting Saturday, bettors on-track at Monmouth will have the choice of making traditional pari-mutuel bets or placing fixed odds wagers. Two areas of the track will be designated for fixed odds and the bets can only be made through tellers. The minimum bet will be $1. Any wager calculated to return a profit of $5,000 or more on a win bet or $2,000 or more on a place or show bet will be subject to approval. At the start, the only track available to patrons will be Monmouth Park.

It's a bit disappointing that the bets will be limited to on-track patrons at first. Without having an on-line outlet, the handle will likely be very small at first. According to Dallas Baker, who is the head of international operations for BetMakers, the Australian firm that will deliver and manage fixed odds wagering at Monmouth Park, it won't be long until New Jersey residents can bet on-line. Some regulatory hurdles need to be cleared and when they are, the on-line bookmakers in the state licensed to accept sports bets will begin to take fixed odds racing bets. There are no current plans to have traditional ADWs like TVG, Twin Spires and Xpressbet accept fixed odds bets.

Saturday, will mark an exciting development. For years, the sport has been debating the importance of fixed odds bets and whether or not it should be part of racing's future. Now, finally, it will be offered by a U.S. track on U.S. wagers and we can start to see how it all plays out and whether or not players will gravitate to the new form of wagering. Fixed odds betting has been particularly successful in Australia, where it has led to a sizeable increase in total handle, which has boosted purses, and has been the most popular form of wagering in the U.K. for decades.

Should fixed-odds betting catch on, it will go a long way toward solving what is a huge and growing problem for the sport. With the computer-assisted players dominating the pari-mutuel pools, the everyday bettor has no idea what price his or her horse is going to go off at. You might bet a horse who is 4-1 going into the gate and it gets pounded down to 2-1 at the last second. Win or lose, that leaves a very bad taste in the bettors' mouths.

Recognizing that, Monmouth had adopted a marketing slogan for the fixed odds bets, “the odds that you bet are the odds that you get.”

While fixed odds can help with the massive problem of shifting odds, that's only one small part of the picture. Will it help to grow the sport? That's the great unknown.

To work, fixed odds wagering will have to lure some sports bettors over to racing. As things stand now, the pari-mutuel form of wagering doesn't fit into the model of on-line sports betting, but fixed odds do. If a sports bettor could place a fixed-odds wager on Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo) at +900 in the GI Kentucky Derby, that might be something they'd be inclined to do. The sports bettor is always looking for action and even obscure sports such as ping pong have attracted a surprisingly large amount of handle. Sports betting is a huge business and if racing could tap into just a sliver of the market that would mean significant gains.

“There are opportunities in front of us, specifically in sports betting, that offer us what I would term probably a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” NYRA CEO and President David O'Rourke said at last year's University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program's Global Symposium on Racing. “Our content isn't on those platforms yet and we have the opportunity to actually do that. There's a lot of hurdles to get there. I know there's a panel on fixed odds and that's a debate, but in the end I believe, and I think our company believes, you have to give the customers what they want. We do have a great product–pari-mutuel is excellent, it's great specifically in the exotics, but there is room, I believe, for proposition bets and for this content to live side by side. And I think as these sportsbooks grow and acquire customers, that's just a huge distribution channel for us.”

O'Rourke isn't wrong, but this won't work if the product is not a good one. A different form of fixed odds betting was already tried in New Jersey, and it was a bust. Betfair, which offers exchange wagering and is wildly popular in the U.K., began in 2016. Four years later, the plug was pulled. Betfair was handling so little money that it no longer made economic sense to keep the platform operating. Betfair failed for a number of reasons, but the main problem may have been the content it offered. All of the top tracks, including the Stronach and Churchill tracks and NYRA, did not offer their signals to Betfair. What was left were tracks like Turf Paradise and Penn National. There just wasn't an appetite to bet on those smaller tracks.

So far, fixed-odds betting is saddled with the same issues. Baker said that about 15 tracks have signed up and that within a few weeks on-track players at Monmouth can also make fixed-odds bets on those signals. But BetMakers has not signed up any of the same premier tracks that Betfair never landed. That is a problem.

Baker is hoping that fixed odds will eventually prove to be so successful that tracks will come to the realization that it is something they need to be a part of.

“I'd like to think that once we start to show the model, we will prove that the sky isn't going to fall down because of fixed-odds wagering,” Baker said. “We're not expecting a miracle solution day one, to flip the switch and everything has changed. This is something that is going to take at least six to 12 months before it starts capturing the attention to the extent it needs to do before we see any great results. We hope this will speak for itself, that this is a really good solution for the racing industry. We hope the results speak for themselves and make it a no-brainer for other tracks to become involved once we can get rid of the fear factor. Once it starts speaking for itself, it will become an obvious decision for other tracks to be involved.”

Baker said that NYRA has expressed interest in selling its signal to BetMakers for fixed odds betting.

That would help, but it's going to take a lot more than that. It's understandable that tracks want to proceed slowly and let a place like Monmouth be the guinea pig. There is a possibility that fixed odds will do nothing more than siphon money out of the pari-mutuel pools and not grow the pie. That wouldn't do anyone any good.

A future sport without fixed odds and ties with on-line bookmakers is not a pretty picture, not with the way sports betting is dominating the landscape. This needs to be given a chance. And that means the top tier tracks coming on board. It means working behind the scenes to legalize fixed-odds bets throughout the country. It means looking at ways to involve the ADWs. It means taking these steps sooner rather than later.

Yes, it's still early in the game and, yes, having fixed odds betting at Monmouth is one small step in the right direction. But it's just one racetrack in one state taking bets on only one track and offering them only to those who are at the track. One would have hoped this could have hit the groung running. That hasn't happened. Hopefully, the best is yet to come.

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Frank G. Gabriel, Jr. To Take Over For Panza As NYRA’s Senior Vice President Of Racing Operations

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced today the appointment of Frank G. Gabriel, Jr. as Senior Vice President, Racing Operations. Gabriel succeeds Martin Panza, who departed NYRA in October 2021, and will assume his responsibilities on Feb. 3.

Gabriel is deeply experienced in Thoroughbred racing having served as CEO of Dubai Racing Club from 2005-2014 and, most recently, as the Executive Director of Racing for Dubai Racing Club from 2014-2020. As CEO, Gabriel oversaw the project to construct Meydan Racecourse, which opened in 2010 featuring a 60,000-seat grandstand, five-star hotel and numerous restaurants and amenities. Gabriel then led the transition of the Dubai World Cup Carnival and Dubai World Cup from Nad al Sheba to Meydan Racecourse. Since its completion in 2010, Meydan has become one of the world's premier racing and entertainment venues.

The appointment marks a return to NYRA for Gabriel, who was Director of Racing from 1998 to 1999 and Racing Secretary for Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course in a seasonal capacity in 2014. Gabriel also spent 16 years at Arlington Park, serving as Vice President of Racing Operations from 2003 to 2005; and worked previously in various capacities at Timonium Race Track, Keystone Racetrack [now Parx Racing], Atlantic City Race Course, Meadowlands Racetrack, Garden State Park, Hialeah Park and Gulfstream Park.

“We are pleased to welcome Frank Gabriel back to NYRA at this important time in the history of the organization,” said NYRA President and CEO David O'Rourke. “His passion for racing is matched by a deep knowledge of the current dynamics of the sport. Frank is a proven leader with expertise in nearly every aspect of racing who will continue the successes achieved at NYRA in recent years.”

As SVP of Racing Operations, Gabriel will be responsible for leadership and oversight of racing functions at NYRA, including the overall development, planning, and execution of NYRA's premier stakes offerings, marquee events and daily racing programs.

“NYRA is the premier racing circuit in the country, and it is a high honor to accept this position,” said Gabriel. “Our sport continues to evolve and change in meaningful and important ways, and I look forward to joining a team that successfully balances history and traditions while embracing the changes that will benefit the sport for decades to come.”

A native of Pennsylvania, Gabriel has served as a member of the Breeders' Cup Selection Committee. In addition, he has been a member of the Dubai World Cup Committee, Meydan Management team, and Emirates Racing Authority.

In his more than four decades in the Thoroughbred industry, Gabriel has served as well on the Asian Racing Federation Executive Council; as Vice Chairman of the International Grading and Racing Planning Advisory Board; as Chairman of the Asian Pattern Committee; as representative for the Emirates Racing Authority at the International Federation Horse Racing Authority Conference; and as Chairman of the UAE Pattern Committee.

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Q&A: ‘An Impact On Every Facet Of Our Industry’; New Race Track Industry Program Chair Previews Global Symposium On Racing

Robert Hartman has gone full circle, from a student in the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program to chairing a nearly 50-year-old program that has helped place graduates into a wide variety of vocations and executive positions within racing. In between, Hartman held marketing and management positions at the New York Racing Association, Santa Anita and Golden Gate Fields. He also served as associate athletic director at the University of California-Berkeley and as CEO of the American Contract Bridge League.

Since accepting the University of Arizona position in June, Hartman is responsible for putting together a strong agenda for the annual Global Symposium on Racing, to be held at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson Dec. 6-8. For more information and to take advantage of the early registration discount (through Nov. 19), click here.

Hartman discussed the Race Track Industry Program and this year's Symposium in a Q&A with publisher Ray Paulick.

The RTIP and Symposium on Racing are separate but obviously intertwined. What were your short- and long-term goals for each when you became chair of the RTIP?

I see this as a rebuilding year for both the RTIP and the Global Symposium on Racing. The short-term goal for the RTIP is to increase student enrollment. The pandemic has a negative effect on college enrollment. Growing student enrollment begins with getting our message out to those who want an equine-related career.

If you were to look at the RTIP's past performances, the students who have come through the Program have made an impact in every facet of our industry. We offer generous scholarship programs, summer internships, and the hands-on learning experience that prepare students to contribute to racing organizations on Day 1. Longer-term, we are looking to expand our curriculum to reflect changes in the industry. Students will need to understand gaming, sports wagering, and new technologies.

The Symposium lost a bit of its luster from its heyday when most industry organizations held meetings in conjunction with our event. When I was a student, all key industry stakeholders attended the conference, and the agenda focused on the key issues facing the industry. We provided a forum for meaningful debate and the students benefitted from listening to this exchange of ideas. Students and racing industry leaders also had the chance to interact, which benefited both groups. Our goal for this year's Symposium was to put together a powerful agenda with a strong lineup of speakers with the intent of reigniting that sense of debate and engagement and building anticipation for next year's Symposium. We also reached out to racing industry media to come back to cover the event. Our longer-term goal is to get the Symposium back on the map as the one key conference that industry stakeholders want to attend every year.

The agenda and speaker lineup for the Symposium is very impressive, with top executives of some of the biggest tracks participating. How did that come together and what do you see as the highlights?

I spent most of June and July reaching out to the industry. These listening sessions with stakeholders across different breeds and across different geographies served to inform me of the key issues that needed to be tackled at the Symposium. Everyone was very generous with their time, and they understand the positive impact the RTIP, and the Symposium can have on the future of the industry.

Once the topics were finalized, I went back to many of those same folks that I engaged in the listening sessions. Given their original input helped to shape the agenda, most agreed to speak without hesitation. Those who couldn't make it to Tucson used their network and found strong speakers to come aboard. Our industry has two or three “degrees of separation,” not the proverbial six degrees. So, if you use your network and the network of others, you can make a connection with anyone.

As far as highlights, I'm proud to say it's a strong program from top to bottom. The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's panels will have the most important messaging for the industry given the impact their work will have on every aspect of racing. Having Shannon Arvin, Aidan Butler, David O'Rourke, and Josh Rubinstein on a panel together to talk about their vision for the industry is another panel that I'm excited about. This panel idea came directly from one of the listening sessions I had with Aidan at Gulfstream Park.

The first Symposium was in 1974. As you look back, as a former student, racing executive, and now the head of the program, how have the RTIP and symposium evolved over the nearly 50 years it's been around?

Industry consolidation has impacted the RTIP and Symposium more than anything else. There are simply fewer people working in the industry which can translate into fewer job opportunities and fewer Symposium attendees. Interestingly, the RTIP student enrollment has consolidated as well, so there are fewer students competing for jobs. There is no question that it is easier for an RTIP graduate to get a job in the industry today than when I attended the University of Arizona. One of our students who will be graduating this year already has five job offers to choose from. I was lucky to have one job offer upon graduation. The expansion of various forms of legalized wagering has also impacted us. While we are a racing program as our core, we need to be sure to stay relevant and provide students a basic understanding of gaming, including fixed odds and sports wagering. It's not an accident that we have panel sessions on these topics. In addition to our industry stakeholders learning more about these topics, these discussions will benefit our students as well.

What are some of the key things the RTIP offers to students? Why should someone consider enrolling?

The curriculum is designed to be hands-on. We hit on every aspect of the racing industry to help prepare students to be ready to contribute to an organization upon being hired. For example, each student in our racing department class is currently working on writing a condition book. We also have a thoroughbred herd at an 80-acre farm with weanlings, yearlings and broodmares. Students interested in bloodstock will help determine the matings for these mares. They will also follow the foals from birth to being raised and being prepared for auction. The hands-on learning was evident at the Breeders' Cup when a group of our students went to Del Mar to work with the Contender Cam project. Summer internships are yet another way to gain hands-on knowledge. Internships can be diverse — we had one student intern at Lane's End this past summer while another student interned at the Thoroughbred Racing and Protective Bureau (TRPB). The Symposium also provides a one-of-a-kind experience for our students. In addition to interacting with industry leaders and listening to the panel sessions, we have a “Meet Your Mentor” lunch when students have one-on-one time with a member of the industry of their choosing. I've spoken with some of the mentors, and they truly enjoy the interaction with the student. Of course, making such a connection is invaluable to the student. Finally, thanks to generous donors, we offer a wide array of scholarships for RTIP students. Any prospective student can reach out to me directly for more information about applying – hartmanr@arizona.edu

How does the racing industry benefit from the program and what can tracks and other organizations do to support it?

Our industry is going to need the next generation of leaders and I believe our Program prepares students for that challenge. It would be hard to find any organization in racing that hasn't been impacted by an RTIP alum. Over the past five decades, the industry has been very generous with providing internships, sponsorships, and guests lecturers to speak to our students.

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Northwell Opens Clinic to Treat Belmont Park Backstretch Workers

In collaboration with Northwell Health, the New York Racing Association and the Backstretch Employee Service Team, a new health clinic will open for Belmont Park workers, it was announced Wednesday.

The $200,000, 1,000-square-foot health clinic will provide a continuum of care and offer wellness programs for the thousands of backstretch workers at Belmont Park. The free program is part of Northwell's commitment to providing equitable care to all New Yorkers.

“Clinics like this one are important because they allow quick access to care, before health issues become health care emergencies,” said Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health. “This community dedicated to the sport of Thoroughbred racing deserves a commitment to wellness–and Northwell Health is happy to provide it. That's our passion.”

Northwell provided coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing for Belmont workers beginning in 2020 and provided COVID-19 vaccines in 2021. Now, Northwell will offer clinic hours three days a week with the opportunity for specialty services as needed. The clinic features two exam rooms and lab services for point of care testing.

“This important partnership will increase access to high quality health care for the backstretch community at Belmont Park,” said David O'Rourke, President and CEO of NYRA “Northwell Health has already made a significant impact through their COVID-19 testing and vaccination efforts here at Belmont, and we thank them for their dedicated service to the men and women working every day to support thoroughbred racing in New York State.”

“Northwell came to the rescue of the backstretch workers during the pandemic and now BEST is thrilled to collaborate again with Northwell to provide the hard working backstretch workers of Belmont and Aqueduct with on-going, first-class, primary and preventative care,” said Paul Ruchames, executive director of BEST. “BEST is also deeply grateful for the steadfast and generous support from the New York Racing Association and the New York Thoroughbred Horseman`s Association, without which none of the great achievements of the past 20 months and beyond, would be possible.”

Through Northwell's ongoing efforts, more than 90% of backstretch workers are vaccinated, well above the New York State average.

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