If readers of The Sun, at least those who responded to our call for comments, had the final say on the Maryland Jockey Club's $60 million improvement plan, the plan would be in trouble. Although they support track improvements, most don't want to help pay for them.
Of the 50 readers who sent e-mails or letters by fax, 29 disapprove of the plan mainly because nearly half of the $60 million would be financed largely by a 1.5 percent increase in takeout on Pimlico and Laurel Park races. Eight respondents favor the plan, and 13 come down somewhere in between.
"If this increase takes place, I would encourage all horseplayers to stop betting Maryland racing," writes Jay Fickes, a professional gambler from Ocean Pines. "MJC be damned. The fact is, with all the increased technology [Internet wagering, satellite signals, etc.] we can find plenty of action elsewhere."
Joe De Francis, president and chief executive officer of the Maryland Jockey Club, has proposed that it spend $32.5 million and finance the remaining $27.5 million of the plan with revenue bonds that would be repaid mostly by bettors. That would be accomplished by a temporary increase in takeout, the portion withheld from every bet for taxes, purses and track owners.
The increase would last for about 10 years, De Francis predicts, and would apply to wagers placed in Maryland on races at Pimlico and Laurel. When bettors in other states wager on a Pimlico or Laurel race, the additional 1.5 percent would remain in their states, presumably divided between horsemen and track owners.
De Francis stresses that the increase would apply only to 30 percent of his tracks' handle, that portion wagered on local races. Customers bet the remaining 70 percent on out-of-state races. Those bets would not be affected.
Any change in takeout would require passage of a state law. On Tuesday, House and Senate leaders will conduct a public hearing on the plan before sending their comments to the governor. Final approval rests with him.
De Francis maintains that the increase would have little effect on betting. Some gamblers might turn to racetracks with lower takeouts, he says, but not enough to decrease significantly the wagering on Pimlico and Laurel races.
Readers disagree.
"Horseplayers are not stupid," writes Robert West, a bettor from Fallston. "They want the best return they can get on their money. If Maryland increases its takeout by 1.5 percent, I think it will price itself out of a lot of business."
"To even seriously suggest such a 'solution' to any racing issue demonstrates an almost total lack of understanding of why racing is in its present sad predicament," writes Glenn E. Bushel, a resident of Baltimore. "If you really want to raise more money, and simultaneously promote interest in racing, lower the take and publicize what you have that other betting does not: a legitimate chance to win if you expend the effort."
Quint Kessenich, a racing fan from Baltimore, plans to protestthe proposal by boycotting the summer highlight of Maryland thoroughbred racing, the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash on July 17 at Laurel Park.
"A small, meaningful gesture to show the Maryland Jockey Club how underappreciated the customers have been made to feel," Kessenich writes. "The Maryland Jockey Club doesn't understand that unhappy customers have more options now than they've ever had."
Writes Harold Schwartz, a casual bettor and horse owner from Columbia, "I agree something has to be done, but not at my expense. The bettor pays his share at the betting window, concession stands, gift shop, programs, parking, entrance fee, etc."
Paul Hirsimaki, a gambler and horse owner also from Columbia, writes, "The Maryland Jockey Club proposal is unfairly lucrative for them. They would get $60,000,000 value from spending only $32,500,000: a windfall gain of $27,500,000.
"If the proposal flies, then the increase in takeout should be followed by a second phase intended to reimburse bettors. Phase 2 should reduce MJC's share of the take below current levels until the $27,500,000 plus interest is returned to bettors through increased payoffs."
Michael Baca, a former resident of Laurel who now lives in Louisiana, speculates about De Francis' motives in proposing the increased takeout.
"There is not a racetrack manager in the country who isn't keenly aware that his hard-core customers are strongly averse to such a tax hike," Baca writes. "One has to suspect that Joe De Francis knows how upset his customers will be.
"One must therefore suspect at least a little that Mr. De Francis is attempting to use disgruntled customers to send Gov. [Parris N.] Glendening a message: 'If we had slots, then Mr. De Francis wouldn't need to be taxing us like this.' "
Some readers believe neither Pimlico nor Laurel Park is worth fixing up, regardless of who pays. Others say tear down Pimlico and build a track somewhere else. Some say spend more on Laurel Park -- and definitely rebuild its turf course. Others say spend the most on Pimlico -- and turn it into a showcase for the Preakness and other major events, such as the Breeders' Cup.
And Diane Hain, who lives in Essex, says the plan ignores the tracks' most fundamental need: first-rate simulcast areas.
"I guess 1.5 percent really isn't that much," Hain writes. "But it would be a lot easier to swallow if they were doing more realistic things with the money."
De Francis says the plan doesn't go into simulcasting because details for interior renovations at Pimlico and Laurel Park are not finished. When they are, he says, they will include simulcast areas as nice as any in the country.
Hain says her biggest complaint is that the plan is designed to appeal to politicians.
"We will get what they decide we should get, and we will be stuck paying for it for about 10 years," Hain writes, "at which point it will need repairs, and the sections that weren't rebuilt [and should have been] will need rebuilding, and so on and so on and the take will never decrease."
Readers who like the plan and don't mind paying more in takeout seem relieved something finally may be done to upgrade the tracks and off-track betting parlors.
"It's a start," writes Jay Wenderoth, a casual bettor from Baltimore. "As far as the additional takeout is concerned, I don't think it's a problem. The bettors would still be getting 75-83 percent of the betting dollar."
Actually, the takeout on Maryland races -- with the additional 1.5 percent -- would be 18.5 percent on win, place and show, 20.5 percent on exactas and daily doubles, and 26.5 percent on trifectas, pick threes and superfectas. That would place Maryland's takeout among the highest in the country.
"As a horseplayer I am willing to pay a share through increased takeout," writes Jim Conn, who lives in Cumberland. "Part of the increase should be earmarked for recruitment of personable and polite mutuel clerks, which is needed as badly as repairs to the tracks."
Neil Ridgely, who lives in Carroll County, agrees that more than physical upgrades are necessary.
"If they want to lure new bettors to either track, they need to work on altering customer behavior," Ridgely writes. "They are great places to teach the wife and kids how to litter and cuss."
Dan Harbacevich, a two-dollar bettor from Virginia, writes: "Just make it clean. I'm there to watch the horses, not marvel at the architecture."
And Kathie Peterson of Laurel writes: "I think it is a splendid idea. I would love nothing better than to have a showcase for racing here in Maryland, and be able to do it without the benefits of slot machines."
Some readers express frustration that De Francis has let the tracks deteriorate and now wants customers to help pay for improvements.
"Do the facilities need fixing up?" writes Ridgely. "Yes. Is this my job or De Francis'? You and I both know he's going to take it out of the bettors' pocket, anyway, so I guess we might as well go along with it."
Area race schedule
Laurel Park: Summer meet runs until Aug. 27. Live racing Wednesday through Sunday, post time 1: 05 p.m. Simulcasts daily except Monday in June and July, except Tuesday in August. Exceptions: Live racing July 5, simulcasts only July 7; simulcasts Aug. 3. 301-725-0400.
Rosecroft Raceway: Live racing Thursday through Saturday, post time 7: 20 p.m. Simulcasts Tuesday through Sunday. 301-567-4000.
Bally's at Ocean Downs: Summer season runs July 1-Sept. 4. Live racing Wednesday through Sunday, post time 7: 15 p.m. Simulcasts daily. Exceptions: No live racing July 8, 15, Aug. 12, 19, 25, 26, Sept. 1 or 2. 410-641-0600.
Charles Town: Live racing Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, post time 7: 15 p.m., Sunday, post time 1 p.m. Simulcasts daily. 800-795-7001.
Delaware Park: Live racing Saturday through Wednesday, post time 12: 45 p.m. Simulcasts daily. 302-994-2521.