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Originally Posted by rgustafson
It should be obvious by now that the only time New York racing fans show up at a track other than Saratoga is if a possible Triple Crown winner is on the line. Breeders Cup, Horse of the year running, ideal weather, who gives a sh**? They couldn't be bothered to get out to the track.
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I disagree. OTB has just made it easier to bet away from the track. It doesn't mean that NY fans don't care because they didn't go out to see Curlin.
Belmont is located at the tip of Long Island and is a journey for anyone not from the area. The road that goes out there (Belt Parkway) is a borderline suicide mission. I know that there is a train, but I am assuming most people have to switch several times. I have been to Belmont many times and love it, it is an absolute georgeous venue. But from where I used to live (Staten Island-35 miles away), it was about the same distance to Belmont and Monmouth. Most of the time I went to Monmouth. It just seemed like it was an easier ride. I knew the racing was better at Belmont, but I chose to play it from another track. Now that I live in Jersey, I head down to Monmouth for a couple of races all the time. For most people in NY, it is unrealistic to think that you can just head out to Belmont for a couple of races, you really have to make a day out of it. It is just easier to go to an OTB to bet/watch the one or two races you really want to see. Maybe if it was closer to the city and more accessable, people would go more.
It does bring up the issue what NYRA and Racing can do to get people down to the track for the day.