JC / Railbird

Blogs in general have been running circles around the print media for close to a decade now, IMHO. For me, the tipping point was 9/11. It’s pretty much laugable for me to watch ten minutes of teevee reporting or talking heads – they’re completely irrelevant now and if my trend sense is tuned correctly, it’s only a matter of time before the rest of this country realizes it’s okay to tune it out and then turn it off.

For horseracing – I’m not so sure. I take serious reporting and writing of the sport with a grain of salt because my primary interest is parimutual wagering. Thus, information is a critical tool. If I know something you don’t know, why would I want to share it?

I think this is the issue, long term, that will need to be overcome. Lots of smart people blog about what interests them and have been doing so for quite ahile now, unitl very recenly horseracing did not follow suit. Late to the game, maybe … but not the type of trend that bodes well, IMHO.

Posted by o_crunk on June 3, 2008 @ 3:48 pm

Let’s just say it depends on the reporter.

Posted by John S. on June 3, 2008 @ 4:26 pm

“…little project.”
What is that Railbird up to!!!!!! What’s she been pecking at!!!

Posted by Ernie on June 3, 2008 @ 4:31 pm

I certainly get all of my information online. It’s much faster, although as a new racing fan I grumble that there isn’t a more centralized source of information for videos, lists of graded stakes, trip notes, etc. And what’s up with some horse racing TV channels only covering certain tracks? Sometimes I don’t even bother to check the TV and I just wait until the race is online to watch it.

Posted by Clarice on June 3, 2008 @ 5:33 pm

The Blogosphere is perfect for a sport like Horse racing, where every day is a new day and information is constantly updated and changing. If I hear something in the morning when I am at the training track at Saratoga in the morning, I post it online on my blog in plenty of time for the fan who is going to the Spa so that he has it before the 1:00 pm Post.

Posted by robert on June 3, 2008 @ 5:41 pm

With racing relegated to a niche sport by the major media, online is the only way to go for info and, as has been mentioned, it’s been that way for some time. While I love the sport, the horses, and the pageantry, betting is the fuel that drives the engine. Sites like DRF, BRIS, and Equidaily and blogs like the Railbird are “musts” for those with serious interest in the game. Other readers may have their own favorites.

Posted by harryo on June 4, 2008 @ 11:23 am