Post by the believer on Apr 15, 2007 9:05:40 GMT -5
Maybe ...to revive harness racing in Ohio ,this is the answer...Northfield vs Raceway,Scioto and Lebannon....seems to working in Quebec...if you can't have slots try something to create interest...i know i'd love to be part of the handicapping team from this board vs the other Ohio tracks handicappers....maybe the Giss could have his own TV show based on this .
Feature - April 2007 Trot Magazine
Playing With Vitality
By: Laurent Sauvé
Hockey, of all professional sports, is probably the one exercising the greatest control in the province of Québec right now. The outbreak of hockey pools over the last few years, the ever-popular video games and all commercial promotions offered to sportsmen during the games, are evidence of that popularity. As a direct result, Québec's harness racing industry recently decided the time was right to conduct a new experiment, inspired by our most popular sport.
As part of the process of rehabilitating horse racing in Québec, the managers of Attractions Hippiques, which owns Québec's four racetracks, were looking for a new concept that would contribute to reviving the interest of the average citizen and even raise the curiosity of beginners. After consulting with the representatives of Québec's network of 17 betting theatres, the Ligue des handicapeurs (Handicappers’ League) was born.
“It was a daunting challenge,” says Jocelyne Courteau, manager of the Hippo Club network, “since we had to respect the new vision of Attractions Hippiques and wanted also to meet definite goals. Together with Donald Pinard, our network think tanker when it comes to promotions, and based on our past experiences, we developed this new concept which calls on the fans’ handicapping talents for trotters and pacers.”
The “Ligue des handicapeurs” is an innovative idea that could gain ground in years to come. “It’s a debut as far as horse racing is concerned, so we had no model. The system is simple: accumulate points while wagering on races and winning money. All of that in the spirit of a hockey league,” Courteau explained.
21-team league
The “Ligue des handicapeurs” is composed of all four of Québec's standardbred tracks (Montréal, Québec, Trois-Rivières and Aylmer) as well as the 17 teletheatres of the Hippo Club network, for a total of 21 teams. Those 21 teams are divided into four divisions, with each team playing a total of 20 games during the regular season.
Each game consists of two opposing teams, who must pick and wager on nine races within a predetermined program, regardless of whether it is a harness program presented intertrack or on one of Québec’s tracks.
Very much like hockey, a game consists of three periods of three races each. Every team allocates five players for each period and it is the team captain’s responsibility to select his or her alignment.
The originality of the league lies in the fact that the players must make win bets in order to accumulate points - and those points are what determine the team's ranking in the league. This means that the higher the handle, the higher the possibility to make bets and accumulate points.
Becoming a participant is easy, and one can join at any time. To get in on the action, a player must register one hour prior to the start of the races and must buy at least one $5 share in his or her team of choice. The shares sold allow the team to make bets with the hope of accumulating points. Team supporters who don't wish to be part of the tournament can also buy shares, thus increasing the team's handle and ability to make wagers. With a high handle a team is able to bet on many combinations, thereby increasing its odds to succeed. All earnings from a race are added to the team's handle to be used for future wagers.
For each WIN bet, the team gets points according to the type of wager placed. A Superfecta will bring 100 points, a Trifecta 50, and an Exacta 25. The WIN, PLACE, SHOW wagers will bring 15, 10 and 5 points respectively.
At the end of the game the total handle is distributed among the players, proportional to each person's wagers. Teams also have the option of keeping the money in a pool for future games.
Instant success
The initial season of the Ligue des handicapeurs began in November and almost instantly became a success. Enthusiasm was most noticeable at l’Hippodrome de Trois-Rivières, where a solid team was formed. The Mauricie’s regional team has had a remarkable opening season, with 10 consecutive wins. At the end of February, Trois-Rivières had a record of 11 wins in 12 games for a total of 9,665 points. Its closer divisional rival, Hippo Club St-Hyacinthe, showed 6,905 points.
“Our customers have always shown great interest in handicapping tournaments,” says François Carignan, manager of l'Hippodrome de Trois-Rivières. "Right from the start, the response to this new initiative was positive. We actually have 90 members on the team and they are almost all present for the games. Players can also count on their fan club. Admittedly, the ambiance prevailing at the racetrack when these games are played can be seen.
The team from Trois-Rivières has chosen a strategy of retaining all its earnings and shares in the handle, a strategy that has probably contributed to the team's success thus far.
“We have been lucky early on since we have won big sums,” explains player François Carignan. “That provided us with a much more interesting amount to reinvest afterwards. After the first six games, we had $6,000 in the bank.”
In addition to success, harmony reigns within the team. “Even though we can count on experienced players, everyone is very respectful of every other member on the team. Everyone listens to the views of others and we never deny an individual the chance to bet according to his own opinion. Everyone has the right to his opinion and has the chance to express it,” concludes Carignan.
“This is really a good format,” adds Courteau. “Fans enjoy it and our handle increases on the nights the games are played. We wanted to create an event where participants would make real bets. We also noticed that our harness racing clientele are often by themselves. This activity has enabled the grouping together of horse racing fans, and the development of a feeling of belonging to their racetrack or betting theatre. This year’s experience is very conclusive and the Ligue des handicapeurs will likely continue for a long time. We may make some adjustments next year, but the league will be back for a second season,” she said.
The league’s regular calendar activities end on April 20, 2007, and the postseason playoffs will begin the following week. The team that wins the playoffs will receive $30,000.
On television
The Ligue des handicapeurs has not just stimulated the interest of horse racing fans, but it has also garnered the attention of a specialized television channel. In fact, every week a game is recorded and broadcasted on the Sports Network (RDS). Hosted by Rodger Brulotte, formerly from the Montreal Expos baseball team, and Donald Pinard, it is a 30-minute show that introduces newcomers to¬ the world of horse racing, and encourages them to start their apprenticeship.
Without a shadow of a doubt, the Ligue des handicapeurs has fulfilled its mission of putting vitality back into Québec's racing industry
Feature - April 2007 Trot Magazine
Playing With Vitality
By: Laurent Sauvé
Hockey, of all professional sports, is probably the one exercising the greatest control in the province of Québec right now. The outbreak of hockey pools over the last few years, the ever-popular video games and all commercial promotions offered to sportsmen during the games, are evidence of that popularity. As a direct result, Québec's harness racing industry recently decided the time was right to conduct a new experiment, inspired by our most popular sport.
As part of the process of rehabilitating horse racing in Québec, the managers of Attractions Hippiques, which owns Québec's four racetracks, were looking for a new concept that would contribute to reviving the interest of the average citizen and even raise the curiosity of beginners. After consulting with the representatives of Québec's network of 17 betting theatres, the Ligue des handicapeurs (Handicappers’ League) was born.
“It was a daunting challenge,” says Jocelyne Courteau, manager of the Hippo Club network, “since we had to respect the new vision of Attractions Hippiques and wanted also to meet definite goals. Together with Donald Pinard, our network think tanker when it comes to promotions, and based on our past experiences, we developed this new concept which calls on the fans’ handicapping talents for trotters and pacers.”
The “Ligue des handicapeurs” is an innovative idea that could gain ground in years to come. “It’s a debut as far as horse racing is concerned, so we had no model. The system is simple: accumulate points while wagering on races and winning money. All of that in the spirit of a hockey league,” Courteau explained.
21-team league
The “Ligue des handicapeurs” is composed of all four of Québec's standardbred tracks (Montréal, Québec, Trois-Rivières and Aylmer) as well as the 17 teletheatres of the Hippo Club network, for a total of 21 teams. Those 21 teams are divided into four divisions, with each team playing a total of 20 games during the regular season.
Each game consists of two opposing teams, who must pick and wager on nine races within a predetermined program, regardless of whether it is a harness program presented intertrack or on one of Québec’s tracks.
Very much like hockey, a game consists of three periods of three races each. Every team allocates five players for each period and it is the team captain’s responsibility to select his or her alignment.
The originality of the league lies in the fact that the players must make win bets in order to accumulate points - and those points are what determine the team's ranking in the league. This means that the higher the handle, the higher the possibility to make bets and accumulate points.
Becoming a participant is easy, and one can join at any time. To get in on the action, a player must register one hour prior to the start of the races and must buy at least one $5 share in his or her team of choice. The shares sold allow the team to make bets with the hope of accumulating points. Team supporters who don't wish to be part of the tournament can also buy shares, thus increasing the team's handle and ability to make wagers. With a high handle a team is able to bet on many combinations, thereby increasing its odds to succeed. All earnings from a race are added to the team's handle to be used for future wagers.
For each WIN bet, the team gets points according to the type of wager placed. A Superfecta will bring 100 points, a Trifecta 50, and an Exacta 25. The WIN, PLACE, SHOW wagers will bring 15, 10 and 5 points respectively.
At the end of the game the total handle is distributed among the players, proportional to each person's wagers. Teams also have the option of keeping the money in a pool for future games.
Instant success
The initial season of the Ligue des handicapeurs began in November and almost instantly became a success. Enthusiasm was most noticeable at l’Hippodrome de Trois-Rivières, where a solid team was formed. The Mauricie’s regional team has had a remarkable opening season, with 10 consecutive wins. At the end of February, Trois-Rivières had a record of 11 wins in 12 games for a total of 9,665 points. Its closer divisional rival, Hippo Club St-Hyacinthe, showed 6,905 points.
“Our customers have always shown great interest in handicapping tournaments,” says François Carignan, manager of l'Hippodrome de Trois-Rivières. "Right from the start, the response to this new initiative was positive. We actually have 90 members on the team and they are almost all present for the games. Players can also count on their fan club. Admittedly, the ambiance prevailing at the racetrack when these games are played can be seen.
The team from Trois-Rivières has chosen a strategy of retaining all its earnings and shares in the handle, a strategy that has probably contributed to the team's success thus far.
“We have been lucky early on since we have won big sums,” explains player François Carignan. “That provided us with a much more interesting amount to reinvest afterwards. After the first six games, we had $6,000 in the bank.”
In addition to success, harmony reigns within the team. “Even though we can count on experienced players, everyone is very respectful of every other member on the team. Everyone listens to the views of others and we never deny an individual the chance to bet according to his own opinion. Everyone has the right to his opinion and has the chance to express it,” concludes Carignan.
“This is really a good format,” adds Courteau. “Fans enjoy it and our handle increases on the nights the games are played. We wanted to create an event where participants would make real bets. We also noticed that our harness racing clientele are often by themselves. This activity has enabled the grouping together of horse racing fans, and the development of a feeling of belonging to their racetrack or betting theatre. This year’s experience is very conclusive and the Ligue des handicapeurs will likely continue for a long time. We may make some adjustments next year, but the league will be back for a second season,” she said.
The league’s regular calendar activities end on April 20, 2007, and the postseason playoffs will begin the following week. The team that wins the playoffs will receive $30,000.
On television
The Ligue des handicapeurs has not just stimulated the interest of horse racing fans, but it has also garnered the attention of a specialized television channel. In fact, every week a game is recorded and broadcasted on the Sports Network (RDS). Hosted by Rodger Brulotte, formerly from the Montreal Expos baseball team, and Donald Pinard, it is a 30-minute show that introduces newcomers to¬ the world of horse racing, and encourages them to start their apprenticeship.
Without a shadow of a doubt, the Ligue des handicapeurs has fulfilled its mission of putting vitality back into Québec's racing industry