From fans' viewpoint, state racing is off-track

This page belongs to you.

We asked Feb. 28 for your comments about key issues surrounding horse racing in Maryland: slot machines, management of Pimlico and Laurel Park and the possible construction of a new horse track.

You responded in torrents -- more than 150 of you -- by e-mail, telephone and letter. You were nothing if not passionate.

What follows are excerpts of responses from readers who gave us permission to publish their names and opinions. Listed alphabetically, these excerpts are representative of the responses we received.

Also, Joe De Francis, the controlling stockholder of Pimlico and Laurel Park, responds to your comments.

To join a further discussion about Maryland racing, visit The Sun's online bulletin board at www.sunspot.net/talk.

Tom Keyser

Customers alienated

Did De Francis do everything for Maryland racing before asking for slots? The real question is: Did De Francis do ANYTHING for Maryland racing before asking for slots?

[He should] quit alienating customers through poor customer service and a general apathetic attitude toward their feelings. De Francis does not realize that a team takes on the personality of its head coach. A CEO cannot expect his employees to be customer-friendly and customer-savvy if he himself is not demonstrating these attributes in front of the employees.

Michael J. Baca, racing fan Slidell, La. (formerly from Laurel)

Tracks in bad shape

I'm not sure that slots are the only way to help the tracks, but it sure seems like they might be the quickest fix to a deteriorating situation. My fear is that the bulk of the money would go into Mr. De Francis' and partners' pockets.

I believe that Mr. De Francis has generated a negative "snowball" effect by letting the tracks fall into disrepair. I believe he did this to have a rallying point in his argument for slots. He very well couldn't make a case for slots if the tracks were beautiful and the purses were high, now could he?

Yet I do not have access to Joe's books. I do not know how much it costs to maintain the tracks. I can only see the physical deterioration of the facilities, and I know they are in bad shape.

Thomas Baldwin, horse owner Eldersburg

Slots a logical step

Slot machines, phone betting, community outreach, better physical facilities, all these are sensible and logical steps for the 21st century. Without them, racing's future here is quite shaky.

Jerry Carton, racing fan Pikesville Too busy counting money

You would always see his father out among the real bettors, asking about ways to improve the product for fans. I've never seen this guy out among the common people. I guess he's too busy counting his money and crying about slots.

The appalling conditions at the tracks (especially Pimlico) show that Joe De Francis has no business running Maryland racing. Build a new fan-friendly track before we lose the Preakness (or lives are lost at the Preakness because of the deplorable conditions), and keep Joe De Francis as far away from it as possible.

Brian Coyle, racing fan Gaithersburg

Level the playing field

Why has the issue of slots at Maryland racetracks continually been portrayed as a negative alternative? Isn't it true that the state of Delaware has benefited and continues to benefit from having slots at the track? In fact, since slots debuted at Delaware tracks in 1995, they have realized over $10 billion in revenue.

Could this be something personal that Gov. Glendening has against Mr. De Francis for not supporting him during the last election? Are we Marylanders and our children supposed to suffer because Mr. Glendening got his feelings hurt?

Mr. De Francis is not looking for a taxpayer handout. He's only asking us to level the playing field. Yes, his business would prosper, but so would the people of Maryland.

Linda DiGeorge, racing fan Ellicott City

Little things important

I don't see why De Francis needs to reject the little things he could do just because he can't do the one big thing that would make the biggest difference. The fact is that the little things will still be making a difference if we do get slots.

The tracks get tons of suggestions that primarily go ignored, the main issues being customer service and comfort issues.

I feel very strongly about Pimlico. It is, to me, sacred holy ground walked by all 11 Triple Crown winners. I see a new track as a major threat to Pimlico and its status as home to the Preakness. Now, if the state wanted to buy Pimlico and remodel it, I could be behind that project 100 percent.

Diane Hain, racing fan Essex

New track needed

I can't say the man's done a bad job, especially within the past three years with the renovations he's made at Laurel. But horse racing in Maryland needs something to give it a lift. And I don't think slot machines are the answer.

I think we need a new track. It would be an incentive for people, especially young people, to go to the races.

Christopher Hoerl, racing fan Millersville

Tracks must stay current