Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (2)

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (2)

ScottJ — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 21:10:33 GMT

Just attended the closing day of the 2010 Atlantic City Race Course's Turf Festival. Some observations that will stay with me for some time and might result in more than a few articles:

[1] Explain how 8,500 people show up with virtually no advertising. There is something happening here related to boutique meets that people in general and Greenwood in particular need to notice.

[2] The six-day all meet handle jumped by huge numbers again and attendance on-track was up at record high numbers. Take it from me--the Saturday closing day grandstand/apron was packed and reminded of Belmont Sundays back in the late 70s and early 80s.

[3] The turf course is a gem and the dirt course could well be once again. With the cut in New Jersey dates, is there a window for ACRC to move into the Thoroughbred game again?

[4] Yes, the ACRC physical plant has certainly gone down hill since the 1990s. However, despite this, people are coming--in droves.

Folks, there is something special happening here. In an odd sense, it is magical. You would have had to have been at ACRC on Saturday, April 24, 2010 to understand it.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (2)

Moriarty — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 04:32:53 GMT

Tom:

I think you hit it on the head again. Kentucky, Ohio, and all points on the map could take a lesson in listening to what a real Turf writer sees. I think we have lost focus, and there are people in charge who treat racing like working in a widget factory, or fast-food joint..... Keep up the good work !!

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (2)

Sal — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 11:12:08 GMT

Though the handle numbers were impressive last year, the simulcast of the AC meet generated a whopping $50K toward purses while overall simulcast-in handle for the year declined substantially, therefore the purses remained the same. Thought AC may only run 1 day for $1M in purses, just as a prep for the Monmouth meet!

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (2)

EJXD2 — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:08:06 GMT

Regarding your third topic, both Ellis Laurel Parks tried reducing take out recently with spectacularly miserable results.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (2)

UCLinden — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:26:19 GMT

When you look back at racing's heyday .... did we have all of this?? Everything ran oh so smoothly .... the hometown breeder had a chance to make a living ... the stands full of racing fans ...

so what happened ... somebody decided to make it a big $$$$

business .... ho humm

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (2)

Barry — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:34:02 GMT

John,

I don't play the slots. They are a waste of time and money. The reason they give out money is because they know that they will get it right back.

Have no idea what it cost to race a horse. But I guess you better have some money to do it. Probably very few make a living doing so.

And without the fans, there would not be any horse racing. They have other things that they can bet on.

And for name calling. Let me call you a jerk.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (2)

GAGSTAG — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 16:02:46 GMT

Atlantic City Race Course is the better of the two courses. My recent trip to A.C.casino left a lot to be desired. But in reality, Philly folks won't drive the fifty-five plus extra miles, to wager when it's a local bus ride away. My favorite memory of A.C.Raceway was when Gee Cantagallo won six races in one night, of which I had four.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (2)

stanley — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:05:58 GMT

ramblings at the kentucky training center yesterday about the future of racing and kentucky breeders program: let sales tax on stallion seasons go toward breeders' awards and race supplements. this idea would show the larger community horsemen are serious about fixing their own problems instead of relying on state handouts. the opposition to the idea is coming from stallion shareholders in upper range who don't want to pay sales tax on expensive seasons they trade with each other. average horseman loves idea, they are already paying sales tax and would see the money go to the sport.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (2)

aspradling — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:46:08 GMT

Maybe we could start a Track Coffee Party Tom. (see Tea Party) Get some legislation done government!

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (2)

Ellpol — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:20:28 GMT

Maybe Woodbine is great to you but as a gambler it sucks. The takeout is ridiculous. I won't play there and give those thieves any of my $$$$$$.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (2)

Bellwether — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 07:27:38 GMT

A NEW WAY TO DO HORSE RACING...ONE MOE TIME...HORSE RACING "WON Oh! WON"...COMING @ U "THE FANS"..."THE GAME"...ty...

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (2)

CRob87 — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 01:40:40 GMT

Not a good tasteful joke here, but I think it still needs to be said.

In the case of New York, it really does seem to be a case of...."The Blind Leading The Blind."

Sorry, but still felt like it needed to be said.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (2)

Will — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 01:19:00 GMT

LaMarra is a throwback to the Turf writers of old. It's a shame horse racing has lost it's luster and the press sees no value covering the sport.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (2)

John — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 23:17:59 GMT

Barry,

Do you have any clue what it costs to race a horse? Go play slots you baffoon.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (2)

Barry — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:39:23 GMT

I like Tioga Downs idea of cutting back on the takeout. A step in the right direction. Atlantic City doesn't need to raise purses. That can come later after they get more fans to come there. And to do that they need to give something back to the fans. Even Delaware Park Slots gives people money twice a month to come there. It can be from $10-$200, depending on how much you bet the month before.

Horse racing tracks don't want to give anything to fans. Seems like everything is geared toward the horsemen. For me it's all about winning money. I could care less if it is Zenyatta or a $5,000 claimer running. They are all just horses. Some better than others.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (2)

mz — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:18:41 GMT

Just wanna say: yay! Woodbine for being a great track for running horses and horse people.

Maybe Santa Anita should send some reps. to check it out?