Page 25 - June 2005 The Game

Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper The Game, June 2005 25
WIRELESS BETTING..CONT. FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
Daddy, how much longer until the third at Santa Anita?
Macdonald thinks that the big bettor ($500-$1000 a race) will want one of these merely for the convenience. Chances are the track would be delighted to 'comp' the wireless to the heavy hitting whales just to encourage their continuing action. For the rest of us, a visit to Future Shop might be the ticket.
"We chose to do it on Microsoft Pocket PC,"advises Macdonald,
"Microsoft, typically, becomes the dominant player once they get into an area. Right now anyone can go into a technology retailer and pick up one of these devices. The cheapest version goes for around $400-$500."
And to be clear here, you wouldn't be buying just a little toy to play the races with. It's like all other pocket computers, capable of being a phone, a day-timer, a keeper of files, a word processor, a way to browse the internet and send e-mails.
Of course who has the time to do all that when the next race is just 3 minutes away?
From a development point of view, this makes real financial sense. Internet wagering is still in its infancy, yet the numbers are already staggering.
"This year we'll expect to see about $60,000,000 bet on the internet and $120,000,000 over the phone," says Macdonald adding that the handle on the internet is growing daily, because most users recognize it's simply a better way to place a bet.
This will hardly be the end of the hard-wired geeks and their quest for the ultimate wagering device. Macdonald tells me there's been thought of creating a method for the horseplayer to use his television remote control to direct his bets.
"We'd like to go forward with that," says Macdonald,
"But we have to make sure an infrastructure in the television systems is in place."
Those of us who have mastered the remote in recent years love the idea of lying on the couch flipping channels, finding HPIBET TV and using that same remote to select the track, race, dollar amount, wager type and horse numbers.
I press Macdonald about the immediate future of technology.
"Is it possible," I wonder, "To make a virtual reality headset, by which the bettor gets a three dimensional image through a helmet device that fits on his head?"
Macdonald is clearly impressed with my vision.
"It's a possibility," he smiles, " You could wear it in transit and play the races while riding the subway."
Now I'm feeling inspired.
"What about surgically implanted wires and chips with specially integrated contact lenses that allow you to place a bet and watch the race simply by thinking about it?" I suggest, my heart pounding with the brilliance of my concept.
"We're not quite there yet," says Macdonald.
Of course not. They still have to come up with a nifty name for the wireless instrument.
Did You Know...
That Champion Jockey Patrick Husbands is being inducted into the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame in a
ceremony that is being held on Wednesday, June 8 at the Pearson Convention Centre. Patrick, a native of Barbados, is now a Canadian citizen who currently resides in the city of Brampton.
Did You Know...
That Champion My Vintage Port has been retired from racing and reportedly was bred to the Kentucky
stallion Aptitude in February. Four-year-old My Vintage Port is owned in partnership with Rick Pettifer and trainer Ken Parsley and was retired with 5 stakes wins and earnings of more than $730,000. She was named Canada’s Champion 2-year-old in 2003.
The HPIBET Wireless Handheld
Thank You for a Great First Season in 2005!
PRIDE OF NEW YORK
Pride of New York -
Mt. Livermore - Peruvian Pride, by Baldski Undefeated in two starts Half-brother to Champion Palestino & New York Champion Ransom’s Pride
2005 Fee: $4,000 NominatedtoBreeders’CupandOntario SireStakes
Pride of New York (2001) brings with him an impressive family:
By Classic Sire MT. LIVERMORE - Sire of more than 60 Stakes Winners, Nine Millionaires & Six Champions.
Out of PERUVIAN PRIDE - Arguably the Best Female Line in Canada!
Dam of 6 to race, 6 winners including 4 stakes winners (3 G1 & 3 G3). Full Sister to CHAPOSA SPRINGS winner of $762,000 14 wins in 23 starts incl. 2 G1, 1 G2 & 3 G3.
Half-sister to You and I winner of $701,000 incl. 2 G1, 1 G2, 3 G3. 2nd dam LA CHAPOSA - Winner of 2 G1 and 1 G3. Half-sister to 3 stakes winners. Dam of 9 winners 4 G1, 4 G2, 3 G3 totalling more than $2 million in progeny earnings.
3rd dam BELINDA - Half-sister to stakes placed Jangua. Produced 8 winners, 4 stakes winners who produced 5 stakes winners accumulating 35 stakes wins or placed.
Anson Stud Farm
905-584-4969 Fax: 905-584-5045 email: ansonstudfarm@netscape.net
Inquiries to Sonja or Andy McKinnon 17655 Innis Lake Road, Caledon East, ON