The Death of Maryland’s Horse Racing
In Sunday’s Baltimore Sun there is a story asking if Maryland’s horse racing is on its last legs. In short thirty years ago horse racing was a thriving industry in Maryland. It was one of the leading breeding states and the tracks were popular.
But things are different now, and many blame it on the fact that Maryland has failed to allow slots at the tracks and because of this they are losing customers to the neighboring states of West Virginia and Delaware, both who long ago put in slots and now they are thriving location.
I’m not going to take a stand on whether slots are the reason that racing has all but died in Maryland. It already would be dead if it wasn’t for the Preakness Stakes, the 2nd race of horse racing’s Triple Crown. I do believe that the horse racing players in Maryland has held up the government in an attempt to get them. If that’s the case than it’s the greed of the horse racing community that has caused the death and not Maryland’s politics.
Obviously horse racing is still alive, you can see that with the outpour of sympathy to Barbaro and the popularity of the Kentucky Derby.
Are slots in Maryland needed? With them in most of the neighboring states and millions of dollars leaving the state by people going to them for the chance of a big win, the answer should be obvious. But will it make a difference to the horse industry, only if the industry wants it to be.
A Boring Survivor
I have been a fan of Survivor, since near the end of the first one and have been watching everyone since then. I adored the play of Rupert and marveled at the way that Rob played and won the game by winning the heart of the winner, Amber. There have been players who’ve been totally forgettable and those who will be always remembered.
But this is has been almost totally forgettable. Other that Yau-Man, no one has shined on this one. Although at times the challenges have been as good as ever. You’d think after doing it for as many as they have, they would have run out of original ideas.
The one thing you have to say about the show, you aren’t shocked by anything that happens. There’s always a surprise and usually someone will lie or cheat and an innocent bystander will end up getting voted out, just as it did with the final 4 this time.
As it turns out, Earl made last best move that insured his win. It may have been a surprise and a shock when he decided to vote his friend Yau-Man out of the game, but if he hadn’t Yau-Man would have won.
Is it reasonable to think that Yau-Man was one of the most popular player ever in Survivor. Yes, if it wasn’t for Rupert he may just be the most popular.
Speaking of Rupert I really think he would be great in the new show that CBS has been advertising about the Pirate adventure. Rupert was the likable Pirate of Survivor.
Check out: More than Switching Off the Lights
