Racing In 2036: Matt Scull

[Wandering Eyes]

What will racing look like in 10 years? We asked some of racing's best and brightest to give us their predictions. Want to submit an answer? Email suefinley@thetdn.com

MATT SCULL, FOUNDER, PRESIDENT OF FIRST RODEO RACING

The care for the horse comes before all. A greater emphasis is now placed on the competition rather than the business of breeding and sales.

The wrinkles in HISA have been ironed out and it has allowed the proper framework for all states/track operators to pull the rope in the same direction, rather than continuing to fight for their piece of a shrinking pie.

Regional breeding programs helped to reverse negative trends in the foal crop. Meaningful access to the horse are more readily available across the country. AI has taken over many parts of our lives, creating a larger need for connection to the animal/nature, horse racing capitalized on this.

Tracks have successfully placed the proper emphasis on attracting new fans to the track and give them race-day experiences worthy of wanting to come back. Experiences like the Hill at Keeneland are the norm rather than the exception.

Wagering menus are modernized and meet people where they are at. You can now add a horse to show on the Sunday card at Oaklawn to your NFL same-game parlay. Access to free data, that is more easily understood by the beginner is distributed widely.

Rewards for horseplayers align greater with what is offered at brick and mortar casinos. Top players get comped tickets and a hotel room for the big racing days across the country. Handicapping races had it's “poker stars” moment. Contests are filmed and turned into mini-series on YouTube.

Track think more critically regarding how to attract new owners to the sport and focus on the full experience. Rather than looking to attract horses to fill races with just purse strings, they create environments that encourage ownership participation. People begin to see horse ownership as much more than an investment.

There is a revival in the interest of racing in the entire US, with new markets added in the Southeast and Midwest (Kansas, Georgia, etc). Momentum East helps California weather the storm and reverse its current trajectory.

Horse racing has successfully became the conduit to re-connect more humans to horses.

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