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Originally Posted by oracle80
Hooves and how much was the handle that day? How many hot dogs and beers did they sell and how many programs,etc? If they don't put up the purse money for that race they never see a quarter of it.
I don't get a lot of horse fans. They yell and clamor for change and innovation, and when a track actually does something new and original they complain.
For B level tracks to get big players is a big deal. It increases on track attendance and also simulcast interest in it. But the big players like to stick to the A level tracks. In order to attract them you have to be innovative. I respect any track exec who steps up to the plate and gives things a crack.
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I am all for innovation and change--but for the better. Paying appearance fees is not a good way of doing business IMO. There are only two A tracks in the nation--Keeneland and Saratoga with Toga being the best. Then you have a bunch of B+, B and B- tracks. How is paying a horse to come to your track benefit the other horses in the race. Say you own Sun King and you are entered in the Haskell. It appears (on paper) that you win the race easily but then Monmouth goes out and offers Melnyk and Pletcher $50k to run Flower Alley. Now you are running for 2nd, maybe even 3rd now that Flower Alley is in the race. I think it is a slap in the face of the other owners and trainers that committed to your race.