Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

The_Knight_Sky racing blog — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:48:43 GMT

Yes. Mr. LaMarra -

I have adopted Monmouth Park as my new "home track" this summer, since the Meadowlands will not be hosting a thoroughbred racing meet this autumn.

The employees and the management have been great. Monmouth Park is historic (don't want to call it ancient) and deserves to be a major hub on the American racing calendar.

This summer I am documenting the people, places and things on my photostream. As a result I have met lots of interesting horsemen and employees posing for my camera.

But it won't be complete until I get a shot of the elusive Yuengling girl at the finish line. ;-)

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

JerseyTom — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:53:48 GMT

Knight Sky went all out. I'm impressed. ... Despite the diss and the beer prices, ain't it a great track?

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

The_Knight_Sky racing — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:22:26 GMT

I did a bit of investigative journalism on Sunday. Mr. LaMarra is correct on the price of a Yuengling. It goes for $6.25 a bottle. The imported (Heineken, etc.) goes for $6.50 at that same stand near the finish line.

I asked the lovely Jersey girl to model a bottle of Yuengling for my camera. I was politely denied !

A new feeling of rejection I hadn't felt in years. Please stay away from those gals who attend Centenary college. Heartbreakers all of them. ;;-)

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

Trebloc — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:35:41 GMT

Ron Mitchell rocks!

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

jimmylit — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 01:38:35 GMT

Jersey Tom: Don't know what kind of player you are or your MO but coolers are still allowed at the Spa so pack one (or several!) of those 6-pack-type coolers with the shoulder strap and you'll save yourself a buch of time, $$ and aggravation! Go back to the races on Sunday because to be perfectly honest with you you'll start to enjoy the nation's best racing venue and NY's nicest town more when the place isn't such a zoo! Anyone who's ever liked racing just a little bit gets hooked up there! Enjoy!!! There's no place better!!

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

JerseyTom — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 01:20:49 GMT

Saratoga beers are $6-plus, if I remember correctly, with some $4 happy hours.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

Trebloc — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 12:43:31 GMT

Attending Saratoga for the first time on Travers day. How much are the beers at Saratoga?

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

JerseyTom — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 11:57:39 GMT

To answer the question, all suggestions for topics are welcome. E-mail them to tlamarra@bloodhorse.com. Thanks.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

Anonymous — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 19:07:38 GMT

The industry all over the continent needs to start making some significant changes with management at racetracks, which is where all of these problems stem from and I can say this with hands-on experience. I can tell you the number one issue at a certain track near me is that those in charge usually have their positions simply due to family ties and typically have zero experience or passion for the industry at all (except maybe in some cases as an owner).

Some enjoy owning their own horses and most think that's all there is to the industry and could care less about what the general public thinks. If anyone comes in offering ideas of things that the general public feel would help draw them out to the races more, they will immediately oust that individual making suggestions so they don't rock the archaic boat that they seem to be floating on. That's even regardless of any data the person can show to prove that these things would work.

The politics involved are so ridiculous and petty it is no wonder the racing industry is about 50 years behind that of nearly every other industry. Those in the positions with the ability to make positive changes are too busy sipping from a $500 bottle of wine - that will likely be a company expense - to care that $9 is too much money for a regular, every day person to purchase a single beer (which is about the going rate at this track).

It is really no surprise that the industry is where it is and that there is no sighting of a light at the end of the tunnel with things working this way. Those who want to make a difference and improve the industry lose their job faster than anything and have to walk on eggshells to try and get into a position to voice their opinion (hence why my post is Anonymous). Even then, good luck trying to convince a group of old traditionalists how change can be a positive thing, especially if that means they may have to actually work for once.

I could go on for days with the things I have witnessed myself but there really is no point. Unless we can completely overhaul the entire management we see in racetracks we will never be able to make the desperately needed changes to steer this industry in the direction it needs to go.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

Bob Hope — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 12:38:59 GMT

Well done Tom! I like this instant, reactive type of journalism for this kind of sport. You will never run out of content!

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

UCLinden — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:35:11 GMT

If everyone contributed an idea for Things That Make You Go Hmmm .... who would you submit the suggestions to???

Mr. Lamarra, you answered your own question .... Wouldn’t such opportunities for allowance, claiming, and stakes horses in late-summer and fall produce decent fields? Decent fields you say , maybe thats the reason you don't see any.

You want 3 yr olds to run after May ??? Perhaps the problem there is a number of horses ran as TWO yr olds ; same problem as qualifying for the Triple Crown. How many horses come up with injuries/problems and have to withdraw and at times have to retire early ??

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

Pboo — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 19:17:10 GMT

$5.00 for cold french fries and $4.50 for a warm beer at Colonial Downs with a $600,000 race on the card. Not to mention $2.50 for a program and charges for parking. All these inducements to get the public to bet and lose money... what's wrong here?

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

claude coyotebait — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:46:10 GMT

"Come into my parlor," said the spider to the fly, "and bring your money."

... What a unique marketing plan!

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

Kentucky Bucky — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 20:04:38 GMT

Tom has made several valid points, especially about the River closing down the Tiki Bar.

Race patrons will be happy with a clean facility, reasonably priced food and friendly staffers.

Monmouth probably has a much higher labor cost so the beer may be a bit more expensive but what about Keeneland?

$5.00 for a crappy draft and $3.50 for a Hot Dog that's usually burnt?

Racetrack executives need to take a good look around and ask this:

Would I bring my family here and can we afford it?

Supply the clean facility, a friendly staff and make it fun and yes, they will come.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

Dihk — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:31:28 GMT

Liberty Bell Park... I remember it well. RIP

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

Jeff — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:10:47 GMT

Tom:

If you really want to see price-gouging, check out Turfway Park on Lane's End Stakes day.

Each time I read the comments from the Turfway GM about how his track is in trouble, I keep wondering how much better things could be if he made racing affordable on his track's best day of racing. It's a prime time to introduce newcomers to the sport who are being turned away by ridiculously high prices that start with a $10 general admission cost.

And the programs..surely Turfway can't still be not including their races in either edition of the Daily Racing Form...are they? The one and only time I tried to buy a DRF on Lane's End Stakes Day that is what I was told. Hope this situation has been changed.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

Les — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:07:16 GMT

The Red Mile claims to be in the entertainment industry. They sealed the tunnel to the infield that previously hosted Chili Cook-Offs, Concerts and more drawing thousands of customers. They once had a great wooden deck serving food and drinks with wagering terminals overlooking the paddock - gone now. Haven't seen anything in the newspaper, haven't seen any ads on TV or heard any radio spots. Real fans already know they are opening this weekend. But the uninformed will remain uninformed. As a partner in a pacer (I live in Lexington), why would I run at the Red Mile for one-fourth of what we run for in Indiana?? How and why does the Red Mile remain open?

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

Trebloc — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:42:50 GMT

Eight dollars for a warm Heineken at Fenway.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

Bill L — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:39:43 GMT

I can relate to all of Tom's comments...but he missed one....Why aren't Ellis Park's races on TVG or HRTV......might help handle?

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

anita b — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:59:37 GMT

I remember as a kid, watching horse races every Sat. afternoon. I LIVED for it! And also listening to a race on the radio. Now there is nothing--not even good articles in the newspaper. Bummer. How do we the public get the news/sports industry to get more involved? Good article, Tom

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

Matt — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 01:57:43 GMT

Canterbury Park's bar remains open til most bars close on days of live racing. Thursday and Friday are night racing nights and I know its open til I believe 1 or 2 a.m. both nights.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

steve Viuker — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 01:44:26 GMT

OK--Beer is still cheaper than @ Yankee Stadium and the coffee @ MP is only $2.75 for a cup of Dunkin w/ a lid finally.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

David — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 22:38:04 GMT

Trivia questions related to just how (un) distinguished the past 10 Derby winners (Monarchos in ’91 through Super Saver) really are . . . 1) how many collective races have been won by those horses since the first Saturday in May and, 2) aside from best 3-year-old male, how many Eclipse awards have been garnered by this group? When you have horses making 4-5 lifetime starts going into the Derby trained to run sprint and middle distances, I’d say the TC is pretty safe until a system that has been failed by breeders, owners and trainers is altered to meet the mediocrity we’ve seen over the past decade.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

Bob — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 22:22:35 GMT

I'm from southern California and I went to the derby in 2005. I was also lucky enough to see a few of the farms in central Kentucky and I was really taken by the horse industry in Kentucky and how big it is back there. But then when I read that the governor doesn't seem to pay much attention to it I'm really confused. It would be like our governor out here dissing to the movie industry.

re: Things That Make You Go Hmmm (4)

Aaron J Young — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:25:12 GMT

Tom, you bring up some good points in this blog about horsemen, government and racetrack responsibilities. As a harness horse owner and trainer, I am very upset with the handling of our product, especially at The Red Mile, which begins live racing this Sunday, Aug. 15, post time 6:30, with some non-betting KY Fair Finals beginning about 5:30. For the years I have been involved in horse racing, it is the same ol' thing, races being filled just to be full with disregard to competitiveness, nonexistent advertising and a horseman's association that just goes along for the ride. In a recent article on kyharnessracing.com, the writer referred to racetracks as a Field of Dreams-- "if you build it, they will come" mentality. Good points in that, too--check it out at http://www.kyharnessracing.com.