Celebrations are muted, curses muffled. No mutuel tickets litter the floor. There is no bar at which to toast victory or salve defeat, no kindred spirits with whom to share those moments. There is no ambience, no sharing of experience. Time zones melt.
Distance is meaningless.
International borders are antiques in this world. Early this morning, you made a bit of a score at Chantilly and tonight, you have a good thing in the fifth at Happy Valley, in Hong Kong. The beginnings of this movement have resulted in the racing industry experiencing three consecutive years of unprecedented economic growth at the end of the millennium, a reversal of almost two decades of decline. Yet simulcasting, particularly directly into homes, is in its infancy and the industry has only just begun to utilize the Internet as a wagering conduit. Before the new millennium is dry behind the ears, every major racing center will compete in a marketplace that is no longer local, regional or even national, but international.