Bet on Churchill Downs

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

As of now, will we be able to bet on Twin Spires on Churchill this weekend?

Help! Don't want to cap if I can't bet and watch.

Thank you,

Spyder

Almost certainly no. CDI filed suit yesterday against the THG and FHPBA and this scenario will get worse before it gets better.

Listen to Matt Hegarty on ATR (Thurs., 4:15-4:40) and read his coverage in the DRF.

[TheSpyder]

Thanks Steve,

What a mess and what a shame.

Spyder

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

Thanks Steve,

What a mess and what a shame.

Spyder

Well, yes and no.

Appears that the horsemen are prepared to make a stand in this set of negotiations. It may be that this circumstance, (as with several other area of industry action recently like RMTC, etc.), is ripe for meaningful and long-term resolution.

We'll see, but the whole formation of the THG, in response to the formation of TrackNet, was progressive in a way as it brought 5 states' worth (PA, OH, KY, FL, TX) of horsemen together in a single voice. Should provide for more direct communication and clearer answers among all parties involved...

[Mike]

I bet thru TwinSpires, but, luckily, have an OTB less than 5 miles away

[Scav]

When they are down 10% on a day that probably gives them 25-30% of their revenue FOR THE YEAR, heads will roll and things will be FORCED to get done.

Just thinking, has Daruty ever had POSITIVE press? I think not...

"The filing of the lawsuit opens up the possibility that Churchill will ask the District Court to issue a preliminary injunction that would temporarily block members of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Group from withholding consent for the export of signals until the case can be heard."

They'll get the injunction. Mother****ers.

[GBBob]

Originally Posted by Kasept

Well, yes and no.

Appears that the horsemen are prepared to make a stand in this set of negotiations. It may be that this circumstance, (as with several other area of industry action recently like RMTC, etc.), is ripe for meaningful and long-term resolution.

We'll see, but the whole formation of the THG, in response to the formation of TrackNet, was progressive in a way as it brought 5 states' worth (PA, OH, KY, FL, TX) of horsemen together in a single voice. Should provide for more direct communication and clearer answers among all parties involved...

What's your opinon here Steve? I know the tracks have been pushing that they doubled the royalty to horsemen in the last year, but that stat could be meaningless based on what the numbers really are. From a PR standpoint, it's a brutal stand by the horsemen..Do they have a leg to stand on?

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by GBBob

What's your opinon here Steve? I know the tracks have been pushing that they doubled the royalty to horsemen in the last year, but that stat could be meaningless based on what the numbers really are. From a PR standpoint, it's a brutal stand by the horsemen..Do they have a leg to stand on?

Don't have an opinion honestly as I don't know enough about the specific scenarios vis a vis tracks, platforms and horsemen to know who has the 'right of way'. That's why I yield to guys like Crist, Hegarty, Ted Mudge, Scott Daruty to explain the positions of each party involved. Everyone has responsibility and stakes in the system, and everyone needs to make a fair share. Ostensibly, no one can possibly be 100% right or wrong with their stance in this. Simply and naively, I think everyone needs to respect each other's vital role in the system and equitably divide the revenues.

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by Kasept

Should provide for more direct communication and clearer answers among all parties involved...

Except, of course, the party that matters the most.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

Except, of course, the party that matters the most.

it is this thinking that has put the industry where it is.

Players are a PART, we don't matter any more then the horseman, track or horses

It is very simple, and I stated this before

Racetrack need horsemen and players to make money
Horseman need racetracks and players to make money
Players need horseman and racetracks to make money
Horses need horseman, racetracks and players to make money

How are we more important then anyone else?

[cmorioles]

Because for the vast majority, horse racing is nothing but entertainment. There are other options. Of course the others are important, but not as important. Even if they all are somehow equal, the point is the same as my original post. The customer is always most important, even more so in a business that is slowly dying.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

Because for the vast majority, horse racing is nothing but entertainment. There are other options. Of course the others are important, but not as important. Even if they all are somehow equal, the point is the same as my original post.

Here is where the issue. you have the industry as a heirarchy where I have it as a circle

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by Scav

How are we more important then anyone else?

I agree with Tom.. Are we missing something here?

I don't get where the players believe they have any say or right to be involved with this particular discussion. What do the players have to do with the internal workings of the providers of the product?

Do food shoppers think they have a 'right' to be involved in the negotiations between manufacturer and provisioner?

What do they have to add to the discussion anyhow?

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by Kasept

I agree with Tom.. Are we missing something here?

I don't get where the players believe they have any say or right to be involved with this particular discussion. What do the players have to do with the internal workings of the providers of the product?

Do food shoppers think they have a 'right' to be involved in the negotiations between manufacturer and provisioner?

What do they have to add to the discussion anyhow?

Oh, I don't know, maybe I was mistaken in thinking that a few of the bettors might actually like to bet on one of the biggest days of the year.

In a similar event, Major League Baseball has just announced that though games will be played in July, no fans will be allowed in to watch because the teams and players can't figure out a way to split the revenue from hot dog sales.

Right now, they are fighting over how to split up the money they get from BETTORS. If they continue to alienate us, they can split it up any way they like. 1/3 of nothing is the same as 2/3 of nothing.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

Thanks Steve,

What a mess and what a shame.

Spyder

It isn't a shame, it is great. Finally there will be a storm where people are going to get hurt(financially) and maybe they will realize what they are doing to the customer.

[pgiaco]

Originally Posted by Kasept

Almost certainly no. CDI filed suit yesterday against the THG and FHPBA and this scenario will get worse before it gets better.

Listen to Matt Hegarty on ATR (Thurs., 4:15-4:40) and read his coverage in the DRF.

So Churchill will block the signal to their own outlet? That makes all the sense in the world.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by pgiaco

So Churchill will block the signal to their own outlet? That makes all the sense in the world.

Pretty classic isn't it. It isn't Churchill blocking the signal, the horseman are actually blocking the signal, they have to sign off on all simucast agreements

[pgiaco]

Originally Posted by Scav

Pretty classic isn't it. It isn't Churchill blocking the signal, the horseman are actually blocking the signal, they have to sign off on all simucast agreements

Oops my bad. Thanks for the clarification. Doesn't make it any less crazy though.

[TheSpyder]

I guess I'm part of the problem because honestly I'm looking at it selfishly. This is such a special time of the year for horse racing and working out of the house I have all day to enjoy these next 10 day but unfortunately will no be able to. This time is second only to Saratoga for me and will miss it greatly.

To me it's a shame although I see every point about helping the sport and the ones that make it go.

Spyder

[Scav]

What they really need to do is arbritate the ordeal and be DONE with it. Pull all these ADW's into a room with Tracknet, educate a judge on the specifics of everything, and let him/her figure out an amicable split.