If you’re a horse racing fan you’re probably hopping mad or scratching your head over a couple of changes this month.
First, the Texas Racing Commission passed a new law banning online wagering of horse and greyhound racing in Texas unless you do it at a racetrack in Texas.
Wow. You can imagine the uproar. Betting from your home computer had become extremely popular here in El Paso and throughout the state.
HERE ARE SOME of the comments on the Internet from racing fans throughout Texas:
“ I live in Texas, and bet almost exclusively online. The track is a hassle to travel to, and I don’t have time to go to the track every time I want to make a bet. The industry will lose me as a fan.” … “These idiots in Texas might even stop us from gambling anywhere but here.” … “Well, I guess the lottery should go, too.” … “Bottom line on this is all tracks in the U.S. will lose all handle generated from Texas residents. The U.S. racing industry has been in decline for years and this recent law will likely cause many other tracks to close their doors.” … “George W. Bush and Rick Perry: Dumb and Dumber.” … “With all the other things that are going on they have to mess with this. Does this include sports betting and Texas poker?”
AND THOSE are just the printable quotes.
There aren’t that many tracks in Texas one can go to for simulcast wagering. Here in El Paso we’re lucky to have Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino nearby. But racing fans in the state that don’t live near any track will really be hurting.
Officials of Texas’ main tracks, Sam Houston and Lone Star Park near Dallas, say they didn’t lobby for the new law. In fact, they say they wanted to continue to be included in online wagering.
ANOTHER CHANGE that has some racing fans upset concerns the Daily Racing Form. Since it’s inception, it had been the size of a daily newspaper. This month it changed to magazine size.
Fans I talked to at Sunland Park are upset but frankly, I like it.
I was worried it would be harder to read but it’s a lot easier to carry, handle and just as easy to read as before. The size of the type didn’t change.
Stopping fans from betting at home is another matter. I’m going to miss the convenience of make an, uh, “investment” from the comfort of my home computer.
TRIVIA QUESTION: Rice University’s nickname is Owls. Can you name another Division I team with that nickname? Answer at end.
THE EL PASO Baseball Hall of Fame has had many outstanding presidents since it was initiated 26 years ago. Put this year’s prexy, Larry Hernandez, on the list. Being a computer whiz he improved the web site significantly and kept everyone informed of what was going on step by step in an attractive manner before last week’s induction banquet. Many kudos to him.
WHAT A THRILL. Tom Hussmann, a good friend and a sweet guy, invited me and a couple of my buddies to play with him at Coronado Country Club. Also accompanying us was Ben Lesley, brother of former Eastwood High coach Bobby Lesley.
The course is as beautiful as ever. The clubhouse is still elegant, the fairways plush and the greens immaculate. And I won’t even mention the view from the top of the Franklin Mountains, the most spectacular view from any course in El Paso. I always found the Coronado fairways in great shape since its inception in the early 1960s but director of golf Danny Swain and Co. aren’t standing still. They’re now replacing all of the fairways with No. 419 Bermuda. “It makes the ball sit up even better,” assistant Drew Norris says.
ANSWER to trivia question: Temple University.