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Originally Posted by Kasept
For starters Freddy, Saratoga wasn't 'slow' last summer. The meet just got off to a horrific start... The odd calendar that provides for the earliest meet start possible, and numbingly dreadful weather, were far more influential in digging the hole to climb out of than the high gas prices at the time. And it was going to be impossible to match the 2007 numbers anyway which were driven by 36 days without a single drop of rain during race hours.
Secondly, Nerud's thinking is never flawed. By comparison to other forms of profesional sports, racing is virtually FREE entertainment. You don't think virtually free entertainment won't be an attractive diversion in a depression economy? I'll take Nerud's view and run with it.
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Saratoga adversely effected by fuel costs? I get it folks elected not to spend the delta between 60 gallons of fuel at 2 bucks versions 4 bucks or 120 "big bucks"..Hotels are 300-700 a night, dinner is 30-100 a head and folks were concerned about the 120 bucks the gas cost. If I was NYRA I would be looking at attendance and on track handle down 15% off of last years figs and that is with oil at 40 barrel. As for the rain, isn't it common knowledge that it rains a lot in Saratoga in the summer? Geez if I was booking a vacation to Aruba I would surely realize it is windy and warm.. Are we now willing to accept that folks don't realize it rains a lot at SPA?
What is flawed with Mr Nerud's opinion is that in 1970's racing had zero gambling competition..No casinos, No blood sucking lottery and no slot palors, no on line gaming and of course the advent of fantasy sports and online poker ..That is why you got 15k to the Meadowlands on a Saturday nite.. Plus in 1970 folks and subsequently that entire generation were still involved in racing. In the 70's folks were young enough to remember the glory of racing as it and for that matter boxing had the abilty to capivate this nation.. No such luck in 2009..people are a generation plus removed from racing as a glorious sport and the competition for gamblings alledgely recession proof dollars is fierce.
BTW explain to me what is so fn entertaining for my 5 year old to do Aqueduct tomorrow for 21 minutes between races.. What are we going to do smoke dope with the Rastas?
Granted if you own a horse or have trainer friends or have "ins" to get you in the paddock etc the track can be more of a friendly petting zoo then casino but really if Saratoga wasn't Saratoga and Delmar wasn't Delmar who the F would need to go to the track.. Believe me there is nothing fun for a 12 year Rachel Mo' to do at Monmouth on a Friday in July.. Other then pet your dads horse and hope you get to scream you would much rather be doing a million other things.
I seriously doubt this current economic sitution will do anything but further contract racing. This could be the long term silver lining.. Less trainers, less horses, less race dates, and consequently a stronger core that has the foundation to potentially reinvent itself and grow organically could be the healthy result..Unfortunately such revolution only comes with much pain and that is obviously the very sad part. While I appreciate and respect the thoughts of Mr Nerud this is 2009 not 1979 and nothing is the same.