How dumb is this idea??
 

http://www.gulfstreampark.com/RACING...akes+Schedule/

The biggest day of their meet being held on a Sunday.
I know they are trying to dodge butting heads with the other big days around the country but, I think this is a huge mistake.

Yeah, I don't really get it either. Considering they would have been the only big race of the weekend on Saturday it almost seems as if they've out-smarted themselves.

The other major Derby preps are expected to be run on the following days:

La Derby - March 26
Lane's End - March 26 (I know)
Wood Memorial - April 9
SA Derby - April 9
Illinois Derby - April 9
Blue Grass - April 16
Arkansas Derby - April 16

They also have re-scheduled their first post for 12:55 PM EST, which will coincide with Aqueduct's 2nd race every day they're both running.

I personally don't think it's that big of a deal. The people who want to watch/bet the race would do it if it was held on a Wednesday.

It's not a big deal for people like you and I who would bet on it no matter the day of the week but it is a big deal from a management perspective because the on-track crowd on a Sunday is not going to be as big. That will negatively impact how they do for the day. Last year's Fla Derby day handle was huge and the on-track business was very good.

Maybe they don't want to go against the Final Four which will be played on April 2nd.

Nick, I'm not arguing with you, but I really don't see what the difference would be. For the people who go/plan to go just to see the race, is having it on a Sunday that much of a difference? I guess it could affect people who are traveling in for the race and have to be home for Monday, but I really don't think we are talking about that big of a number.

I'm not arguing, I'm just giving the potential drawbacks. From a simulcast perspective the biggest issue they'll be running into is that less money is in play on a Sunday. That's proven week in and week out.

On your biggest day you want to make sure you have the parts in place to maximize the on-track business. That way you reap the benefits of the ticket sales, concessions, programs, and most importantly the wagering dollar, which you get a bigger cut of. They'll still get a good crowd because it is the Florida Derby (or at least as good as can fit into that facility) but they would do better from a business perspective on a Saturday.

There was some outcry last year about how far away from the Ky Derby the Florida Derby was run. They're now 8 days closer to the Ky Derby but on a poorer day of the week IMO.

Fair points, who knows what there reasoning is behind the move. Like I mentioned, the Saturday is final four day and maybe they feel like the race might draw some more attention by not being up against a sporting event so big.

I love it. I know my case isn't the norm, but I go to my local track most Saturday's and am home with the family on Sundays betting through my ADW. When I am on track, I have a difficult time keeping up with other tracks, I do not put much money into the simulcast pool as I am concentrating on what is on the track in front of me.

I'm just one person, but my Gulfstream handle on FL Derby Day will increase dramatically.

My one and only experience with this was a couple years ago - (QR / Dunkirk - FL Derby) there

As far as I'm concerned, It was a complete and unmitigated disaster of the highest order - and I swore it'd be my first and last FL Derby as a result..

30-40 minutes minimum to place a bet, get a drink or get something to eat, inadequate restroom facilities, no available seating, etc.

They were either pathetically unprepared or (more likely) simply unwilling to spend the money to provide the services required to manage a crowd of that size - and judging from what I had heard about last year - it was the latter.


So this is one way to deal with it. I might consider going on a Sunday knowing that the crowd will be at least manageable.

When I read that, I thought, that is a great idea someone is finally getting it, then I checked NYRA 2nd race post and smiled. Ritvo, an exhorseman, said it was to free up the single and space it better, he obviously didn't remember NYRA (probably still more then Gulfstream handles) was running.

Didn't SA used to run the Big Cap on Sundays?

Yeah, sporting events on a Sunday, what a stupid idea. That'll never work!

Horse Racing is totally the same as football. I see people wearing their favorite jockey silks all of the time!!

Actually, they are not nearly the same. Horse racing is more ossified than a T-rex fossil, and is dying off accordingly.

Now I know why the Haskell is such a drag on Monmouth's meet, being run on a Sunday.

If they had only moved it to Saturday, New Jersey racing might have been saved!

Considering the Jim Dandy is run on a Saturday, at an easily more followed meet, it makes sense the Haskell is on a Sunday.

Wow, have you got cause and effect confused.

Not that it's really relevant, but I think the Jim Dandy was run on a Sunday until recently.