TRACKING DOWN SUCCESS
Mardi Gras Casino greyhound racing attracting new fans
   As thousands come and go daily from Mardi Gras Casino in Hallandale Beach, very few know anything about greyhound racing.
   In fact, hardly anyone who comes and pulls some slots, plays a few hands of poker or eats in any of the quality restaurants, realizes that without greyhound racing, none of the tremendous events and amenities that Mardi Gras Casino houses, would be possible without it.
  If I can take you back a few years to that important vote that would allow slots and limited poker to come to the pari-mutuel establishments in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, it was done with the understanding that jai alai, thoroughbred racing, trotters and greyhound racing would be the anchor at these facilities.
  While it’s certainly no surprise that the attendance is down at all facilities, some continued to bite that tax bullet, and no matter what was given up – the idea of paying nearly 50 percent was suicide for these businesses.
  While waiting for a decision on what will happen with the Destination Casino vote – or whatever the plan is – expansion is not going to happen immediately. The valid concern over dropping the tax rate to the 30 percent range, is what facilities such as Mardi Gras are waiting on.
  Although many suggest that doing away with greyhound racing is the answer, it is in fact, not a reality. It would take too many years and there would be others who could easily point the finger at an almost non-existent jai alai following and dwindling thoroughbred crowd. So, for the short time, this rocket-fast entertainment tries to take the spotlight.
  What will happen at Mardi Gras will be downsizing what it now the largest greyhound facility in the country – with much, much more seating than is needed.
  A trip to a pair of races last week not only brought back memories, but gave me a chance to see some live racing at a track I have been patronizing since I was 18. It also afforded me an opportunity to talk with many who were there for the first time as well as those who depend on it to put food on the table.
  Any time you can make things more fan friendly, you are taking a huge step in bringing people back. Last week, Tatiana Morescu and her three children were treated to a photo session with the winning greyhound.
  “Thrill for my children,” she said. “I never knew threes dogs were so friendly.”
  Morescu had heard horror stories, but on this night all she saw were happy greyhounds and fans who were having the time of their lives.
  “These dogs love to run fast,” Morescu said. “Then, after the race is over, you can pet them and they love it. This was a lot of fun, and my children know nothing about gambling, which was secondary about the time we all had here.”
I will always applaud Dan Atkins for what he has done to keep the entire facility above water – while losing money at every turn. It has been a hard economy on top of paying such absurd taxes. But this is not about the taxes. This all about making this greyhound track something that does not lose money – and won’t alter the appeal
  On the second floor of the facility, where the simulcasting is taking place, there are artist renderings of what the track will look like when things ease financially. The plans call for cut back seating, making it a more quaint atmosphere with everything happening trackside and not 200 feet away.
  Like Gulfstream, the only thing standing in the way of making these two Hallandale Beach landmarks destinations are on property hotels. That is a must to keep traffic flowing year round.
  If you are indeed new to greyhound racing, here are a few things you need to know:
• LIVE greyhound racing Five days a week from the only dog track in Broward County.
• Simulcast daily greyhound, harness and thoroughbred races from some of the BEST tracks across the country, Canada and Australia!
• Over 30 different greyhound, harness, and thoroughbred races can be viewed on large screen TV's located throughout the entire facility.