Opportunity's Knocking - By Eric Mitchell

re: Opportunity's Knocking - By Eric Mitchell

dr fager — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:16:04 GMT

Being an avid racing fan for over 50 years and living here in NYC, Aqueduct was always one of my favorite tracks but that has truly changed in the past few years. First, the fields are certainly of the poorest quality during the winter track meeting. How many times are we subject to $7,500 claimers, $12,500 to $16,000 maiden claimers etc. Truthfully, I have seen enough of "Wadi Suki", "One Starry Night", and "Missile Motor"! These poor souls should be retired, but every week they are in the entries. Secondly, can NYRA provide an area where you can sit at tables with friends instead of these sectional divided tables that make you feel like you are in an immigration office filing out paper work to gain a visa! I mean is it imperative that one must go to the Equestris restaurant for this? Third, do we really need to be subject to all the pot smoking going on every level of the track. I mean, give me a break, at times you would think that you are at a Ziggy Marley concert, and where the hell is the so called security? I'm sorry but Paul Volponi must have been wearing rose colored glasses when he did his story about the once great "Big A" You are never going to attract new fans with the way the current administration at NYRA conducts it's day to day operations. And while we are at it, when will we fan's who are subject to cable etc here in NYC get to see the races broadcast in HD from NYRA? I mean it's only 2012, come on guys let's get it together. May sound like I am bashing the NYRA establishment, but as a long-time supporter I felt compelled to vent my frustrations with changes that have taken place and hope that it will reach the proper authorities and they will try and bring the Big A back to what it once was when the greats like Kelso, Forego, Ruffian, and of course Dr Fager graced the walking ring and I was a youngster who got hooked on the greatest game that there is! That may be a lot to ask but you are never going to attract new clientele with the current day to day operations there.

re: Opportunity's Knocking - By Eric Mitchell

Sophiekea — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:18:05 GMT

If the goal is to have slot players play the ponies why don't you just stand out in the parking lot with a bull horn and yell" play the ponies, that's where the real money is! "

Considering it's not rocket science to put some money in a slot machine and press a button it shouldn't take much greeting and teaching to have them just throw their dollars on a horse for the sake of the number or color they are wearing. That takes more brains than pressing a button and hoping for the best.

I'm sure that will get them to start buying horses too....

re: Opportunity's Knocking - By Eric Mitchell

Convene — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:51:59 GMT

If nothing else, having someone to greet curious visitors might give slots players the idea that yes, we racing people really ARE interested in our product and that yes, we DO welcome newcomers to the game. Gee - what if that kind of interest and enthusiasm was even a little bit contagious! We might actually begin to increase our fan base. Sometimes you gotta wonder if anyone's actually thinking about these things instead of just talking ...

re: Opportunity's Knocking - By Eric Mitchell

Sophiekea — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:55:29 GMT

I agree that Aqueduct could use a face lift but I don't think comparing it to a new building next door is very fair.

I for one think the only good thing about he building next door is the new food services. The bar with the giant screen t.v is nice but have you ever tried sitting down and getting served there? Takes about an hour for anyone to notice you and bring you your drink.

Slot players aren't what racing needs. I'm not sure if you noticed the class of people playing the slots when you were there but most looked like they couldn't afford much never mind a horse bill. I highly doubt that trying to get slot players to be horse owners is a goal. I'd rather see high roller black jack players become owners. I think they actually use their brain when gambling, much like horse players.

I may be one of the few that truly loves Aqueduct racing no matter how tattered the buildings may be. When I go to Aqueduct I go to watch the horses race and pick a winner. The bathrooms are clean, the food on the 3rd floor is good and I enjoy the men cheering at the televisions. Yes, I would like them in high definition as well but Im sure that will come one day soon. My only recent complaint is there aren't enough betting machines or tellers as the lines have become so long with the players flocking back to the tracks in NY. Sometimes there isn't enough time to get your bets in.

New York racing is great and its getting a little old hearing all the knocks about them right now. Especially when they have the best purses on average in the country and the state bred program is off the hook. Things that will bring owners into the game and make it worth while to own a horse again.

Its starting to sound like some people are getting a little jealous of New York.

re: Opportunity's Knocking - By Eric Mitchell

dixiebandfan — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:27:31 GMT

Correct assessment in part. We probably don't need a dozen guides, as there is one information desk on the first floor just inside the clubhouse across from the casino entrance; there's never anyone asking the attendant questions. It would be nice if there were modern TV's in HD to watch the races, if there was an attractive and clean looking environment, etc. but the casino doesn't want their patrons to be attracted to the horse racing. In fact, the casino wants to get rid of the horse racing altogether, and the state may be inclined to accommodate them. They are willing to spend millions to winterize Belmont Park.

NYRA doesn't have the money to really fix up the place, and the state doesn't really appreciate Aqueduct's contribution so that they would allocate separate funds to redo the Big "A" when the racing moves to Belmont in the spring. We do need new fans to become partnership or private owners, but I don't believe the casino will be the source for those fans. Try fans of the NBA, NHL, NFL, & MLB. They are more likely to get into horse racing than slot players.