EVAN WEINER

Horse Racing’s Savior? Increased Gambling

By EVAN WEINER | May 12, 2008

Before the proliferation of television in American homes back in the late 1940s and early ’50s, the American sports landscape was dominated by three sports: baseball, boxing, and horse racing. Decades later, baseball still holds a dominant position in the sports spectrum, but boxing and horse racing have fallen in stature. Still, the Kentucky Derby has retained its status as one of the biggest events in sports: This year’s Derby drew big television numbers, with overnights coming in with a 9.5 rating.