NYRA Leaves Cash On The Table

[Linny]

Many of the best seats are purchased by people who are already heavily invested in the game, either as breeders, owners or bettors or some combination thereof.

One of the few advantages that racing has is that even at top class meets like Saratoga or Keeneland or even Monmouth, decent seats could be had without breaking the bank. The average fan or bettor could bring his family to the races without having to make arrangements months in advance and still get close to the action.

It's great to see fans in the seats and it's always a bit sad to see those winners circle pics with empty seats behind them, but... At Saratoga, the winner's circle pic often has the box seats in the background, and it's generally a less populated area, especially early in the day. Not much you can do when the race day starts at 12:30 and the stakes events don't star until 3 or later.