Presque Isle Downs - Nice Purses

[scanman]

Originally Posted by SentToStud

Delaware is a nice place. So was AkSarBen. So was Rockingham. So was Washington Park. So was Atlantic City. Especially so was Hialeah. When Hialeah went bust, they had the highest take out rates in the nation.

I wouldn't put AkSarBen and Atlantic City in the same category as Delaware. If they closed all the mid-level tracks in the northeast, Delaware would be the one they should keep. As for Hialeah, tragic. It was a matter of 3 rats fighting over a one piece of cheese and the two bigger rats won. Never made it to Washington Park or Rockhampton.

Originally Posted by SentToStud

"Not great races" is a bit generous. There's several of those every week there.

Unfortunate, but true.

Originally Posted by SentToStud

The good ones would run in NY or NJ or KY or Chicago. The ones that don't belong at that level would drop and ship anywhere.

Okay, staying with your thesis - let's close all of the tracks (just in the northeast) that are slots (or will be) supported. Now closed are Mountaineer, Charles Town, Penn National, Philadelphia Park, Finger Lakes, Fort Erie, Woodbine, Indiana Downs and Hoosier Park.

Now we're talking about a lot of horses. Where do you send them?

[SentToStud]

Originally Posted by scanman

I wouldn't put AkSarBen and Atlantic City in the same category as Delaware. If they closed all the mid-level tracks in the northeast, Delaware would be the one they should keep. As for Hialeah, tragic. It was a matter of 3 rats fighting over a one piece of cheese and the two bigger rats won. Never made it to Washington Park or Rockhampton.


Unfortunate, but true.


Okay, staying with your thesis - let's close all of the tracks (just in the northeast) that are slots (or will be) supported. Now closed are Mountaineer, Charles Town, Penn National, Philadelphia Park, Finger Lakes, Fort Erie, Woodbine, Indiana Downs and Hoosier Park.

Now we're talking about a lot of horses. Where do you send them?

Hey, I loved Atlantic City. Saw Manilla win the UN there in the mid 80's.

The 'decent' horses from those tracks would run anywhere else. As for the nickel clamers, I don't care, really. A nickel claimer today was a $2000 claimer 15 years ago. I'm sure they're important to the people who own and train them but serious players would much rather see fewer races with fuller fields and better horses. They could keep those tracks open for what they are. Some would make it, others wouldn't. What would the peolple displaced do? I don't know. They'd do whatever the people displaced out of the auto or steel industries did, I expect. The other dynamic that keeps bottom tier tracks alive is the insane simulcasting revenue sharing arrangements that exist. "Live handle" has very, very little to do with how well most race tracks financially perform. From a serious wagerer's view, the world might well be better without Philly Park, Charlestown or any other slot track that cannibalizes field size, quality and pool size at better race tracks.

[scanman]

Originally Posted by SentToStud

The decent horses from those tracks would run anywhere else. As for the nickel clamers, I don't care, really.

Okay, sounds like your involvement in the game is primarily gambling. Fair enough. The industry needs "serious players" to keep the game moving, but as you are starting to find out, the "need" for having "serious players" is evaporating. Presque Isle is a prefect example, not a bet has been made, but yet, they have a fabulous purse structure.

Every track should strive to achieve the best handle possbile through fan interest (attendence), lowering the takeout, simulcasting and internet wagering. However, thankfully, many tracks now and in the future will have a "get out of jail free" card with slot revenues to keep their tracks and the industry going.

Slot tracks are here to stay and will continue to proliferate. There will be no happy ending for the type of people who embrace racing as you do. So what is to become of the "serious players"?

[SentToStud]

Originally Posted by scanman

Okay, sounds like your involvement in the game is primarily gambling. Fair enough. The industry needs "serious players" to keep the game moving, but as you are starting to find out, the "need" for having "serious players" is evaporating. Presque Isle is a prefect example, not a bet has been made, but yet, they have a fabulous purse structure.

Every track should strive to achieve the best handle possbile through fan interest (attendence), lowering the takeout, simulcasting and internet wagering. However, thankfully, many tracks now and in the future will have a "get out of jail free" card with slot revenues to keep their tracks and the industry going.

Slot tracks are here to stay and will continue to proliferate. There will be no happy ending for the type of people who embrace racing as you do. So what is to become of the "serious players"?

LOL. How the hell do you know how I embrace my own a ss much less racing? I've owned race horses, I've been to over 100 racetracks, I've seen arguably the most highly anticipated race of the last 30 years. For certain, I've met or have had phone calls or have received personal emails from racetrack CEOs numbering higher than the times you have spelled the word "attendence" correctly.

You're a fool if you believe slot machines are what drives this sport.

[scanman]

Originally Posted by SentToStud

LOL. How the hell do you know how I embrace my own a ss much less racing?

Relax. The prevailing message in you threads have been gambling and money, while expressing little interest in the welfare of the individuals involved in the industry. Regret any offense if one was taken.

Originally Posted by SentToStud

You're a fool if you believe slot machines are what drives this sport.

Overall, I don't believe that slots drive racing, but it's has in certain racing jurisdictions with an overwhelmingly positive impact. This fact is indisputable.

I have no desire to engage you personally so I won't. I didn't join this board to get into a pissing contest with anyone. Just wanted to have an exchange of ideas, which I enjoyed quite a bit, until your last thread. It would have been great if more members would have jumped in because I think the topic was interesting.

However, it looks like it has run its course, so I'm out. Peace.