Why do people only go to a racetrack to bet on the horses?

Question

I don't understand why people only go to a racetrack to bet on the horses. I mean I love the sport, the horses the jockeys, everything. But I never betted on any horse and never will. I would go to the racetrack ever day if I could. Are there people out there like me, never bet on a horse but love the sport?

Answer 1

I go to the races to see the horses.  My best friend and I drove two hours each way to see Cigar race in the Pacific Classic at

Del Mar, and I don't think we placed a single bet that day.

Back in the day when pari-mutuel tickets were real ink printed on real paper stock, rather than the thermal-sensitive printed tickets that self-destruct nowadays, I would bet on horses in order to have the ticket as a souvenir.  I have uncashed win tickets for Seattle Slew in the 1977 Belmont Stakes, Affirmed in the Hollywood Gold Cup, Spectacular Bid in the Santa Anita Handicap, among others.  

The bottom line is that wagering is the lifeblood of racing.  It's where the purses come from, and purses drive the quality of racing.  If the only people who attended horse races were people like us, then inside of a year there would be no racing.  We need the people who wager, and who bet big, in order for racing to survive.  I'll go one step further:  in order to survive, it is increasingly apparent that racetracks need to have a casino with slot machines associated with them.

States that have passed enabling legislation to put slot machines in racetracks have racing that is thriving, with large purses and great stakes programs.  States that haven't passed enabling legislation are dying.  Maryland racing is a prime example:  the sport is in trouble there, and will continue to be in trouble until and unless it gets enabling legislation to bring the slots in.

I've been a fan of horse racing since 1968, and I'm very much afraid that we're seeing the twilight of the sport.  The people who run Thoroughbred racing are not having a lot of success with bringing young people into the racetracks to become fans.  Demographics show that the typical racing fan is a male age 50 or older.  Racing needs to attract younger people and women to the tracks if it is to remain healthy.

I've always thought that the greatest asset racing has over other kinds of gambling is the horses.  The beauty and valor of the horse is never more evident than at the races; the greatest champions, horses like Curlin, have an aura about them that radiates greatness.  But we're seeing far too many horses rushed off to stud after limited careers, and catastrophes like the breakdowns of horses like Barbaro and Eight Belles are almost beyond bearing.  These are issues that must be addressed.

I love racing.  I love the horses.  I rarely bet.  But I know it's the people who go to the windows and shove $100 bills at the clerks who are the lifeblood of racing.  And slot machines, perish the thought, are more and more a necessity.

Answer 2

I go for the horses and because I love everything about horse racing.  I watch racing all the time, but when I am at the track, I will place a few bets.  I consider it my duty to the track to hand over some of my money so that they can continue with the sport... Maybe I'll win and pick up a few dollars, but going to the track and supporting it is more the point.  These tracks are in such a need of money that they are in danger of closing without adequate support... I do my part to keep the sport alive... yes, I'd like to win, I won't lie... but even if I don't, my money went to support something I love.

Answer 3

There are a lot of people who don't go to bet! I have a friend who goes to practice her photography. I go occasionally because I love horses.

Answer 4

It is possible to go to the track for the horses and the bookies, it just adds to atmosphere.

Answer 5

some go for fun but the reason most people go is to bet and try to make money almost like why people would go to a casino.  

Answer 6

I would say that more people go to the races to bet on horses or are part of a syndicate and/or are associated in some way that will involve money than those who don't,but whatever your reason there is something for everyone to enjoy and yes I like a lot of other things at the races besides chasing the dollar.

I also think its a lot healthier for retired folks to spend a day at the races than to sit in a darkened room mindlessly feeding coins to the dreaded pokie machines.

Answer 7

Your Answer:

I am an avid fan or this sport and have been raised in it all of my life. My uncle was a trainer, so I have spent much of my childhood at the track. I go, when I can, for many reasons. I am the worlds biggest horsey lover for one. I place a bet or two because I do want to help the industry in some small way, but also for the fun of it. I am in Tn. and there are no big racing facilities near me, but every year I go to New York for the Belmont Stakes. It is something I always look forward to. But the betting always takes a back seat when it comes to seeing the horses and taking pictures of them. Just before the Belmont this year, I was in the paddock, and when Big Brown came in, you could have heard a pin drop. So many people wanted to see him

Source(s):

Horse owner and breeder

Avid horse racing enthusiast

Answer 8

The reason is, you were probably raised in more of a... stable... environment.  

Answer 9

That's not true.  They also go there to get trashed and pee on themselves.

Answer 10

they have nothing better to spend their pension  or ssi checks on.