Top 10 list

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Scav

I do think night racing would be huge in the right environment. If they had night racing at Arlington on Friday/Saturday, it would be packed from head to toe in the summer, it would be like the Million every weekend

I dunno what kinda neighborhood Arlington is in, but Belmont and Aqueduct, both in the sticks, aren't going to attract any more people with night racing. In fact, they might attract less since it'll keep the old people away.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

I dunno what kinda neighborhood Arlington is in, but Belmont and Aqueduct, both in the sticks, aren't going to attract any more people with night racing. In fact, they might attract less since it'll keep the old people away.

I never thought of the Big A to be in the sticks. Maybe you could get hit by sticks there....

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I never thought of the Big A to be in the sticks. Maybe you could get hit by sticks there....

Only if you're.. Nevermind.

It's in the sticks in that it's not close to anything resembling a metropolis. Damn near all of Queens is the sticks, man.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Only if you're.. Nevermind.

It's in the sticks in that it's not close to anything resembling a metropolis. Damn near all of Queens is the sticks, man.

Doesn't downtown Jamaica count?

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Doesn't downtown Jamaica count?

Not really, but even so, AQU is a ways from Jamaica.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Not really, but even so, AQU is a ways from Jamaica.

You would love Happy Valley (the track in HK, not Penn state)

[blackthroatedwind]

It would be much funnier if it wasn't so sad. The whole thing is basically here's a problem....the solution? Fix it.

What is sort of interesting is the number of problems that are created by the state and the given solution is " change it ". No kidding.

Night racing CANNOT happen at the NY tracks but at least there is a move towards more twilight racing. The free passes thing is funny, especially as Chuck noted it is the State that took them away. Sadly there is no real solution to dwindling attendance, as the very thing that lowered attendance, widespread simulcasting and in-home wagering options, is what is keeping the game strong. The truth is attendance simply should not be a major concern.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Only if you're.. Nevermind.

It's in the sticks in that it's not close to anything resembling a metropolis. Damn near all of Queens is the sticks, man.

That's the first time anyone's ever told me I'm from the sticks, leave it to a guy from Brooklyn

[ARyan]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Only if you're.. Nevermind.

It's in the sticks in that it's not close to anything resembling a metropolis. Damn near all of Queens is the sticks, man.

The Big A and Belmont are in the Sticks? I guess the Meadowlands is too?

Come on, the sticks should be reserved for places like like Penn National or Mountaineer, where you have to drive hours to get to a metropoltian area.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by ARyan

The Big A and Belmont are in the Sticks? I guess the Meadowlands is too?

Come on, the sticks should be reserved for places like like Penn National or Mountaineer, where you have to drive hours to get to a metropoltian area.

Dammit, I'm talking about the boonies in relativity, people! My point is that in order for night racing to work, you're going to have to attract people from outside of Queens, and I don't know anyone whose eyes light up at the thought of journeying out to Elmont or Ozone Park.

And yes, the Meadowlands is in the middle of nowhere. If the complex weren't there, why would anyone go to East Rutherford?

[whodey17]

If Belmont is in the sticks then where in the world is Kentucky Downs?

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by whodey17

If Belmont is in the sticks then where in the world is Kentucky Downs?

In the woods.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Dammit, I'm talking about the boonies in relativity, people! My point is that in order for night racing to work, you're going to have to attract people from outside of Queens, and I don't know anyone whose eyes light up at the thought of journeying out to Elmont or Ozone Park.

And yes, the Meadowlands is in the middle of nowhere. If the complex weren't there, why would anyone go to East Rutherford?

Elmont, yes. Ozone Park... no.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by philcski

Elmont, yes. Ozone Park... no.

Next time I'm in the city, I'll try to organize a nighttime trip to Elmont, and I'll report back with the results.

[ARyan]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Dammit, I'm talking about the boonies in relativity, people! My point is that in order for night racing to work, you're going to have to attract people from outside of Queens, and I don't know anyone whose eyes light up at the thought of journeying out to Elmont or Ozone Park.

And yes, the Meadowlands is in the middle of nowhere. If the complex weren't there, why would anyone go to East Rutherford?

Once the Devils move, unless I have a horse running there in the small throughbred meet they have, you won't see this guy there.

[Downthestretch55]

I'm probably going to get slammed for this, but I'll say it anyway.
I agree with Steve about the take-out.
I also agree with Cannon about what he said in his starting post.

So, here's what I suggest (and realize that I think "outside the box").

Instead of bringing people to the track with incentives, give away days, or to an OTB (right, what a nice environment!), New York racing should televise the races at the meet on their own channel (for home use, work a cable deal), and allow internet gambling to their web site. This will generate interest, increase handle, and make participation much more convenient.
Heck, they could even provide live racing via broadband from their web site and maintain bettor accounts online. This will also flag "problem gamblers".
Sure, people will still go to the tracks for the video games and the slots. That's not bad at all, as IMHO it increases purses.
The key is to increase interest, participation, and convenience. By making the horse racing experience more accessible, I think it might be a positive approach.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

I dunno what kinda neighborhood Arlington is in, but Belmont and Aqueduct, both in the sticks, aren't going to attract any more people with night racing. In fact, they might attract less since it'll keep the old people away.

It is in yuppie Chicago. Northwest Burbs. The problem with around here is that their is nothing to do outside in the summer. If Arlington were to have their Friday's at night, and continue with their 'party in the park', they would get 15,000 to 25,000 a night I bet. Their is essentially nothing to do at night close to us..

[disappearingdan_akaplaya]

Originally Posted by Scav

It is in yuppie Chicago. Northwest Burbs. The problem with around here is that their is nothing to do outside in the summer. If Arlington were to have their Friday's at night, and continue with their 'party in the park', they would get 15,000 to 25,000 a night I bet. Their is essentially nothing to do at night close to us..

i think hawthorne needs night racing more scav as far as tbreds go. the main thing for arlington to attract more fans is just to drop the price of admission/ concessions

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by disappearingdan_akaplaya

i think hawthorne needs night racing more scav as far as tbreds go. the main thing for arlington to attract more fans is just to drop the price of admission/ concessions

Dude do you want to go into that neighborhood at night?

[disappearingdan_akaplaya]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Dude do you want to go into that neighborhood at night?

lol cannon(chuck) i live about 10 min from hawthorne by car so i dont live in the best of neighborhoods. personally i think hawthorne should scrap summer harness racing and have a QH meet there