Thoroughbred horse racing in the USA is on a steady and rapid decline - no, it is dying.

Why, no Triple Crown champion in the last 29 years! Or worse - big money connections conspiring to deprive a legitimate Triple Crown champion (Smarty Jones in 2004). Also, Kentucky Derby champions being retired even before they reach age four.

No wonder the sport of kings is dying, it’s audience is aging and no new fans are being developed. And those few that happen to gravitate to the big stakes races are lost just as easily when the new stars are retired.

It’s not that racetrack operators are not trying; they dangle freebies on a regular basis - free concerts, free rides, free shirts and stuff - but these attract the wrong crowd for the wrong purposes, too.

Online betting (phone + Internet) has also dealt a serious blow to racetrack attendance. Why would anyone go to the track when races can be bet via the Internet or via the phone. Soon, betting will be available on any digital tv network, too! Certainly people can’t go to the track if it’s raining or snowing. And if their local track is dark they can always bet other tracks in other states.    

Andy Beyer wrote about his eureka moment on betting thoroughbred races online. Yes that Andy Beyer guy who authored the "Beyer Speed Figure" - one of thoroughbred horse racing’s most potent measure of speed and stamina on different conditions.     

So what’s to be done to save thoroughbred horse racing? Put more slots into more racetracks? Put more poker rooms into more racetracks? What about this stupid idea of giving the public great champion horses that would run for 5 years - yes, that stupid idea. I’m sure that people would line up the entrance to see such champion horses go at it race after race, year after year - but then, that’s a stoopid idea.

Triple Crown 2006 Betting Propositions. Will the Kentucky Derby Winner Win the Belmont YES (+650) NO (-950). Will there be a Triple Crown Champion in 2006 YES (+1200) NO (-1800)? [VIPSports]