Interesting that this wasnt mentioned as a reason especially for the out of state losses

That is true. But there are so many other factors that can contribute to that number that it is hard for me to assume that the majority is based on people not playing polytrack which is very hard to measure. I have yet to make a bet at Keeneland and that may be a factor also. Once the horseplayers of America know that the bad money is back handle will be up 50%.

This is an incredible statement to me as the source is a knowledgable player and the sentiment is shared by so many other knowledgable and successful players.

I just can't understand why POLY presents such problems (ditto for turf sprints).

I know some of those states couldnt wager on Keeneland last year (Keeneland was unavailable for KY residents through twinspires/brisbet). I wonder if thlose 12 states were allowed to bet into the pools last year or not.

I wonder how far down the handle would be if they compared the dirt racing and the grass racing separately. I wouldn't be surprised if the grass handle is actually up a little bit and the dirt handle is down more than 17%. While I'm not a heavy gambler in any sense, I know that this year, I've not wagered a single dollar on a Keeneland dirt race. Combine that with less than $200 wagered on a SA dirt race and I was able to do a few extra things with the money saved. So on behalf of my family, thank you junk track.

I think the weather has been unfortunately not in their favor as well, both Saturdays were pretty miserable and those are typically huge handle days at Keeneland.

Was there Ashland Day and didn't see a lot of "players"... just a lot of drunk college kids.

Glad you got all the successful/knowlegeable players picked out.
But the successful players dont play Poly or turf sprints,
but you do. They are missing the Gold mine which is racing?

Clear as mud.

I wonder where the modest players go...

To think that the major reason for any track's numbers being down for any other PRIMARY reason other than the economy is wrong. I mean..retailers are shutting doors left and right, gas prices, etc, etc...I would think that when discretionary dollars get tight, the first thing that goes is gambling.

Look at Vegas...they are laying off people by the hundreds at each casino. No doubt the racing industry is struggling anyways, but when cash is tight, it is magnified

I would love to know their average field size this year. I just pulled up their card from Friday April 11th as an example for field sizes.

R1 - 6
R2 - 7
R3 - 8
R4 - 7
R5 - 4
R6 - 5
R7 - 7
R8 - 5
R9 - 14

In 5 seconds I know I am not wagering that card. Even at CT you get consistant 8-10 horse fields. There are too many tracks and too many races in the mid-atlantic.

You guys realize that they had a 16% top last year right? And after talking to that mutual guy today, he said that their numbers are right in line with where they were 2 years ago.

Alot of people went to Keeneland last year to see the new surface, alot of people played it to learn it.

All they did was bounce off a great performance....