Question of the Day - 13 February 2021

Along with the possibility of other states closing their dog tracks, almost all of the greyhound racing infrastructure -- breeding, training, etc. -- is based in Florida. From what I've read, located here in the Sunshine State, most of those operations are closing, not relocating. Those five states still hosting tracks may soon find themselves lacking animals to race on them.

There's not enough room on the track for the buses to pass each other safely.

but seriously, when I lived in Memphis years ago, Southland Greyhound Park in West Memphis Arkansas was a huge operation. A common saying was, "A lot of money goes over that bridge." I think at one time it was the biggest dog track in the world. With Florida closed down, maybe it will be again for a while.
When my mother came up to visit she liked to go there. We didn't think about what happened to the retired dogs. According to other online sources, that was the main motivation for the Florida ban: concern for the welfare of animals in the entertainment industry. Ringling Brothers, Clint Eastwood, and even Siegfried & Roy took some flak for that.
I've been away from there for years but it's a racino now, operating at 2/3 capacity according to their website. Maybe if racing drops below critical mass and implodes, they can still make it on the games--but I wouldn't bet on it. Either way, it would be a big economic hit for the area.

There's always room in the QoD comments section for a Kevin Lewis note.

Since I live here in FL and have been "playing the dogs" for many, many years let me give you the details.  The dog tracks did not oppose the constitutional amendment that was passed by FL voters.  The amendment was written to allow the tracks to keep operating whatever other gambling was authorized by their localities.  Since almost all of the tracks were losing money on the dogs but making money on their other forms of gambling they didn't campaign against the amendment and it passed with 69% support. (60% was necessary).  Now the tracks can simulcast/wager on horses and jai lai (OK to bet on people but not dogs) as well as run poker rooms.  Slot machines are authorized in a few counties as well.  The public was not informed as to where the dogs would go--my fear was that they would not all go to other tracks or be adopted but no one considered that issue.  The tracks should have policed the owners who were being cruel to the animals but failed to do so creating an issue for PETA.

In Texas, the track in LaMarque started well but has not done well the past few years. Don’t know all off the greyhound business to state why. I believe the are just hanging on hoping Texas will permit casino gaming and they can open as a racino. They don’t need to be holding their breath. 

So there's no more dog racing in Florida?  That's a doggone shame.
I also have a couple of questions:
First, because the rail is made of wood, and wood comes from trees, has any dog ever been distracted by the bark?
Second, unlike with horse races, in dog races, they have a rabbit running along the rail, ahead of the dogs, to lure them forward, and I don't believe that any dog has ever caught the rabbit.  So, has PETA ever scolded the dog tracks about this practice that is sadistically tantalizing and cruel to the dogs?
Third, has there ever been a problem with a dog not trying to pass the dog right in front of him because he liked the smell of the other dog's butt?
Fourth and last, why don't dog races have jockeys like horse races do? It's well known that horses often win races because of the actions made by their jockeys, so wouldn't a dog similarly have a greater chance of winning?

Kevin asked his old man if he could go ice skating on the lake and he told him, "Wait until it gets warmer." No respect.  :D

When you look at the future the next generation does not have interest in the dogs and horses but plenty of interest in sports follow the money and the future

If a pooch at Southland Greyhound Park ever caught "Rusty", it would be one bloody mess.  They'd have to bring out the big blue tarp to shield the viewing public from the poor torn up dog, like when a horse goes down.

"There goes Rusty!"

Candy

There are only 4 active greyhound tracks left in the US: Southland Park in Arkansas (which plans to close in 2022), Q Casino in Iowa, and Mardi Gras and Wheeling Island in West Virginia.  Alabama and Texas's last tracks closed in 2020.  There just isn't much left greyhound racing to bet on.