NY

[Cannon Shell]

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=38388

Some highlights

Wynn stating that cameras on jockeys helmets will attract big crowds

A "towering" hotel built at Aqueduct (I guess forgetting about the planes that fly over the track on a regular basis)

Capital Play said that they will expand the races from 8 horses to 12 (I guess they think short fields in NY are due to limits)

They will also "simplify" betting ( maybe you wont have to handicap anymore)

And this article does not even talk about the "beautiful fence" that Capital Play wants to put up around Saratoga. (Like it's Berlin??)

[whodey17]

Hey Cannon - help me out here. What is the history of Aqueduct? I mean, why was it ever built when there was Belmont?

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by whodey17

Hey Cannon - help me out here. What is the history of Aqueduct? I mean, why was it ever built when there was Belmont?

You want the cliffnotes version?

[whodey17]

Yes please.

[Cannon Shell]

There were other tracks in NY earlier in the century that were all competitors. Jamiaca, Empire, Belmont and a few others that I dont recall. Nyra was formed in the 50's to have all the NY tracks under one organization. Aqueduct was a very popular track in the 60's and I believe that the Belmont was even held there while Belmont was being renovated. Aqu is located in Queens not too far from Brooklyn and is on the subway lines from Manhattan and as such was easier for people in these area to reach. Dont forget there was no simulcasting or OTb's and Belmont was a long ways away from the city.

[slotdirt]

Belmont and Aqueduct are pretty darn close to eachother.

[whodey17]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

There were other tracks in NY earlier in the century that were all competitors. Jamiaca, Empire, Belmont and a few others that I dont recall. Nyra was formed in the 50's to have all the NY tracks under one organization. Aqueduct was a very popular track in the 60's and I believe that the Belmont was even held there while Belmont was being renovated. Aqu is located in Queens not too far from Brooklyn and is on the subway lines from Manhattan and as such was easier for people in these area to reach. Dont forget there was no simulcasting or OTb's and Belmont was a long ways away from the city.

Gotcha. I often forget how big New York is. But in todays world is it silly to have both of the tracks? Or is Belmont not suited for winter racing?

[Byebyemermaid]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

There were other tracks in NY earlier in the century that were all competitors. Jamiaca, Empire, Belmont and a few others that I dont recall. Nyra was formed in the 50's to have all the NY tracks under one organization. Aqueduct was a very popular track in the 60's and I believe that the Belmont was even held there while Belmont was being renovated. Aqu is located in Queens not too far from Brooklyn and is on the subway lines from Manhattan and as such was easier for people in these area to reach. Dont forget there was no simulcasting or OTb's and Belmont was a long ways away from the city.

Lets not forget Sheepshead Bay and Jerome.

[Sightseek]

I'd love to know Capital Play's plan to draw women to Aqueduct and in turn drawing men..have they actually been there?! I love horses and racing and only a day like the Wood Memorial is going to get me to step foot in the place. I don't see slots being that big of a draw for most woman either and if you were going to go shopping you'd do so in the City where the best stores in the world are. There is just way too much competion with the City to put anythign there that would be remotely appealing to the woman who is not interested in racing in the first place.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I'd love to know Capital Play's plan to draw women to Aqueduct and in turn drawing men..have they actually been there?! I love horses and racing and only a day like the Wood Memorial is going to get me to step foot in the place. I don't see slots being that big of a draw for most woman either and if you were going to go shopping you'd do so in the City where the best stores in the world are. There is just way too much competion with the City to put anythign there that would be remotely appealing to the woman who is not interested in racing in the first place.

Even that's questionable at this point.

I had a great time this weekend because I was with friends but honestly... I wouldn't have gone by myself. Aqueduct sucks.

[Storm Cadet]

Belmont can not hold winter racing as it's facility has NO HEAT. They said in a study a few years back that it would be exorbitant to heat the facility and enclose major portions of the grandstand.

It's racing surface is not suitable for winter racing.

AQU USED to have 2 turf courses, just like SAR and BEL. But they ripped out the outer turf course and made it a winter inner track.

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by philcski

Even that's questionable at this point.

I had a great time this weekend because I was with friends but honestly... I wouldn't have gone by myself. Aqueduct sucks.

Hard to imagine they actually held a Breeders Cup there.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

Hard to imagine they actually held a Breeders Cup there.

I've been there hundreds of times and I think the same thing too.
There was a time, not long ago, when it wasn't bad, believe me...

My 2nd favorite racetrack was the one in your avatar.

[SentToStud]

What I have never seen at any racetrack is a place to get information about online wagering. I've been to 3-4 tracks in the last few months with direct ownership ties to ADW companies (Gulf, Philly, etc). You would think that on weekends and big days they get SOME casual fans who would be at least interested in an online account.

I suppose the reason why is that the tracks are trying to squeeze out every on-track dollar they can. Personally, I think they're missing some casual online fan handle.

[Bystander]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I'd love to know Capital Play's plan to draw women to Aqueduct and in turn drawing men..have they actually been there?! I love horses and racing and only a day like the Wood Memorial is going to get me to step foot in the place.

Really? I had a completely different impression. I recently went to AQ for the first time, not Wood-day, and I thought it was great. I've been to a lot of different tracks, yet I came away feeling that Aqueduct really gets a bad rep. I felt 100% comfortable, safe, went all over the facility, and I'd go back in a second.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Bystander

Really? I had a completely different impression. I recently went to AQ for the first time, not Wood-day, and I thought it was great. I've been to a lot of different tracks, yet I came away feeling that Aqueduct really gets a bad rep. I felt 100% comfortable, safe, went all over the facility, and I'd go back in a second.

Were you in the dining area or the general admission area? The dining area is nice, but I don't see the rest of the track being any better than Suffolk Downs as a comfortable place where a woman would want to hang out.

[Bystander]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Were you in the dining area or the general admission area? The dining area is nice, but I don't see the rest of the track being any better than Suffolk Downs as a comfortable place where a woman would want to hang out.

I was sitting in Equestris, but I went all over. I thought the outside near the paddock was particularly nice, and there were families all around the place.

Then again I've spent many many solo hours at Suffolk, hung out during the race card and for simo before Boston got TVG, even been there relatively early morning to watch races from Dubai a few years ago. I've always felt safe, too, but I guess I really do feel safe at any track because it's where I want to be.

Aqueduct is A LOT nicer than Suffolk IMO.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by Bystander

I was sitting in Equestris, but I went all over. I thought the outside near the paddock was particularly nice, and there were families all around the place.

Then again I've spent many many solo hours at Suffolk, hung out during the race card and for simo before Boston got TVG, even been there relatively early morning to watch races from Dubai a few years ago. I've always felt safe, too, but I guess I really do feel safe at any track because it's where I want to be.

Aqueduct is A LOT nicer than Suffolk IMO.

Downstairs at Aqueduct is just plain disgusting, and I'm not one that is easily disgusted. The upstairs is fine but that first floor could use a good flooding.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Bystander

I was sitting in Equestris, but I went all over. I thought the outside near the paddock was particularly nice, and there were families all around the place.

Then again I've spent many many solo hours at Suffolk, hung out during the race card and for simo before Boston got TVG, even been there relatively early morning to watch races from Dubai a few years ago. I've always felt safe, too, but I guess I really do feel safe at any track because it's where I want to be.

Aqueduct is A LOT nicer than Suffolk IMO.

See I think that is the key...the track is where you want to be to begin with. I'm interested in seeing how they plan to draw the person who isn't following racing day to day. From the little I've read of their proposals I don't see any of my non-racing friends calling me up and asking me if I'd take them to the track.

I've only gone to Suffolk on MassCap day which had perfect weather and a big crowd that probably wouldn't have been there had Funny Cide not...so I might be a little forgiving of Suffolk.

[Linny]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I'd love to know Capital Play's plan to draw women to Aqueduct and in turn drawing men..have they actually been there?! I love horses and racing and only a day like the Wood Memorial is going to get me to step foot in the place. I don't see slots being that big of a draw for most woman either and if you were going to go shopping you'd do so in the City where the best stores in the world are. There is just way too much competion with the City to put anythign there that would be remotely appealing to the woman who is not interested in racing in the first place.

I'm female and go to AQU a few times a year. I live in Albany so it's a hike but if I lived in the greater NYC area, I'd go alot. It is not Saratoga but it is not nearly as horrible a place as it's portrayed. I have never even considered going to a slot room (never been to the Spa slots) nor would shopping (which I do love!) draw me to the track. If I wanna shop I shop, I prefer going tot he races to play the horses and socialize.