Spa box sales?

[blackthroatedwind]

It's old news that NYRA was selling some box seats ( the price sounds right and it is higher on Saturdays ) as I received a mailing on this well over a month ago. I don't know what the number is, though 100 sounds high, but Freddy's point is absolutely correct that NYRA needs to control and sell their assets.

I'm not going to get into a large discussion about people's supposed " rights " to boxes, as I am sure there are valid points on both sides, but let me just ask a question.....do you think someone who has had a box handed down for generations, and goes occasionally, and contributes minimally to handle and/or has at most a minor interest in horse ownership, deserves a box over someone who bets $1000 a day through NYRA?

[Quiet Chris]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

It's old news that NYRA was selling some box seats ( the price sounds right and it is higher on Saturdays ) as I received a mailing on this well over a month ago. I don't know what the number is, though 100 sounds high, but Freddy's point is absolutely correct that NYRA needs to control and sell their assets.

I'm not going to get into a large discussion about people's supposed " rights " to boxes, as I am sure there are valid points on both sides, but let me just ask a question.....do you think someone who has had a box handed down for generations, and goes occasionally, and contributes minimally to handle and/or has at most a minor interest in horse ownership, deserves a box over someone who bets $1000 a day through NYRA?

Actually the guy betting $1000 a day isn't going to go anywhere. The guy who owns the box and goes occasionally are the ones you need to keep.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by Quiet Chris

Actually the guy betting $1000 a day isn't going to go anywhere. The guy who owns the box and goes occasionally are the ones you need to keep.

Please do explain....

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by Scav

Please do explain....

Let me try this one, ACE

Every year we have the World Series of Poker. In the field we have a whole bunch of ALL IN DOOFUSES and a handful of cash game pro's. The DOOFUSES are necessary for the WWofP, as it's because of them that POKER has become so popular (of course, another twist is that it's popular because of the pro's that the DOOFUSES are trying to emulate). Those in charge of the event figure that the pros will always be there. Why make special concessions for them?

Not saying this is the right way to do things but this is the reality of things.

ALL IN!!!!

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

Let me try this one, ACE

Every year we have the World Series of Poker. In the field we have a whole bunch of ALL IN DOOFUSES and a handful of cash game pro's. The DOOFUSES are necessary for the WWofP, as it's because of them that POKER has become so popular (of course, another twist is that it's popular because of the pro's that the DOOFUSES are trying to emulate). Those in charge of the event figure that the pros will always be there. Why make special concessions for them?

Not saying this is the right way to do things but this is the reality of things.

ALL IN!!!!

Bad analogy....the doofuses in the WS of Poker are anteing up their 10 grand entrance fee just like everybody else.

[Ronnie]

I thought Saratoga has a policy that if the box isn't full every day they take it away. If the actual owner of the box isn't sitting in it then someone else is.

[Linny]

Originally Posted by Ronnie

I thought Saratoga has a policy that if the box isn't full every day they take it away. If the actual owner of the box isn't sitting in it then someone else is.

I see empty boxes every day. I also see alot of very big betttors there every day, though rarely in boxes. The boxes are populated with local and national rich people, political types, racehorses owners and breeders and socialites. Many of the local people who have had boxes at Saratoga for decades are well off people who liked racing and attended alot in the days when Saratoga attendance lagged behind Belmont and the box was their reward. Most are not big bettors.

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Bad analogy....the doofuses in the WS of Poker are anteing up their 10 grand entrance fee just like everybody else.

And the PROS in racing are getting their rebates.

But we're off point here; the pros aren't getting these seats. Someone with the money to afford them will.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

And the PROS in racing are getting their rebates.

Right, but if they're betting through NYRA-One they get a rebate from NYRA, albeit relatively small, but NYRA keeps the bulk of the takeout from their wagers.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

But we're off point here; the pros aren't getting these seats. Someone with the money to afford them will.

Well, I know about it through a NYRA-One mailing ( which I got as long as two months ago ) so perhaps they are making them available to their best betting customers first.

[Quiet Chris]

Originally Posted by Scav

Please do explain....

Most people betting $1000 a day are not sitting in boxes. They are doing it online. They don't sit out in boxes at Saratoga except occasionally. The people that sit in boxes are the ones who come and spend some money on food, maybe a few dollars gambling, parking, etc. Their families come back every year. Maybe bring some friends and introduce them to the sport.

I really don't know anyone who is a serious gambler that watches races live. They watch on the tv, usually from home.

You can always get tickets for seating at Saratoga during the week anyway. Go early or just show up and pay someone selling them. I spend 3-4 weeks per year up there and every day I just go and buy 4 seats from somebody selling them right outside the track. Usually they aren't even asking for more than face value.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by Quiet Chris

Most people betting $1000 a day are not sitting in boxes. They are doing it online. They don't sit out in boxes at Saratoga except occasionally. The people that sit in boxes are the ones who come and spend some money on food, maybe a few dollars gambling, parking, etc. Their families come back every year. Maybe bring some friends and introduce them to the sport.

I really don't know anyone who is a serious gambler that watches races live. They watch on the tv, usually from home.

You can always get tickets for seating at Saratoga during the week anyway. Go early or just show up and pay someone selling them. I spend 3-4 weeks per year up there and every day I just go and buy 4 seats from somebody selling them right outside the track. Usually they aren't even asking for more than face value.

At Saratoga, I beg to differ, when i was there for four days, i was playing close to $250-$300 a race. I know of MANY serious gamblers that were at Toga for the whole meet.

[Ronnie]

I agree, Saratoga is unique. People who bet go there.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Originally Posted by Scav

At Saratoga, I beg to differ, when i was there for four days, i was playing close to $250-$300 a race. I know of MANY serious gamblers that were at Toga for the whole meet.

Are you saying you gave them $350-$500 in take-out each day?

[asudevil]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

It's old news that NYRA was selling some box seats ( the price sounds right and it is higher on Saturdays ) as I received a mailing on this well over a month ago. I don't know what the number is, though 100 sounds high, but Freddy's point is absolutely correct that NYRA needs to control and sell their assets.

I'm not going to get into a large discussion about people's supposed " rights " to boxes, as I am sure there are valid points on both sides, but let me just ask a question.....do you think someone who has had a box handed down for generations, and goes occasionally, and contributes minimally to handle and/or has at most a minor interest in horse ownership, deserves a box over someone who bets $1000 a day through NYRA?

Did my wife's family "deserve" a letter in March saying thanks very much for your 50 plus years of patronage, but we feel the need to relinquish your rights to the box?" No alternative seats offered either. And yes, they owned and bred horses in NY, supported thoroughbred causes, and employed people in that area. I understand that business is business. Isn't the handing down of boxes thru generations part of what makes Saratoga the most traditional, festive, and complete racing experience in the world? Just treat the people properly that have kept this thing special for so long.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by asudevil

Did my wife's family "deserve" a letter in March saying thanks very much for your 50 plus years of patronage, but we feel the need to relinquish your rights to the box?" No alternative seats offered either. And yes, they owned and bred horses in NY, supported thoroughbred causes, and employed people in that area. I understand that business is business. Isn't the handing down of boxes thru generations part of what makes Saratoga the most traditional, festive, and complete racing experience in the world? Just treat the people properly that have kept this thing special for so long.

You are giving your side of the story, which may well have merits, but there is certainly another side to the story.

On the highlighted part.....I don't particularly agree.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by asudevil

Did my wife's family "deserve" a letter in March saying thanks very much for your 50 plus years of patronage, but we feel the need to relinquish your rights to the box?" No alternative seats offered either. And yes, they owned and bred horses in NY, supported thoroughbred causes, and employed people in that area. I understand that business is business. Isn't the handing down of boxes thru generations part of what makes Saratoga the most traditional, festive, and complete racing experience in the world? Just treat the people properly that have kept this thing special for so long.

Handing down the boxes does nothing for the racing experience.

I believe that the people that owned the seats should be given first opportunity to renew just at the MODERN day Market for the greatest horse meet in the world. Folks its the Super Bowl of racing..It's not nor should it's importance be cheapened. It's the All star game price it as such.

PS Save the statebred races lol

[asudevil]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Handing down the boxes does nothing for the racing experience.

I believe that the people that owned the seats should be given first opportunity to renew just at the MODERN day Market for the greatest horse meet in the world. Folks its the Super Bowl of racing..It's not nor should it's importance be cheapened. It's the All star game price it as such.

PS Save the statebred races lol

Easy to say when when it's not affecting you. Outside looking in, bro. You know what opinions are like.........

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by asudevil

Easy to say when when it's not affecting you. Outside looking in, bro. You know what opinions are like.........

It is that bad Sun Devil karma...

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

It's old news that NYRA was selling some box seats ( the price sounds right and it is higher on Saturdays ) as I received a mailing on this well over a month ago. I don't know what the number is, though 100 sounds high, but Freddy's point is absolutely correct that NYRA needs to control and sell their assets.

I'm not going to get into a large discussion about people's supposed " rights " to boxes, as I am sure there are valid points on both sides, but let me just ask a question.....do you think someone who has had a box handed down for generations, and goes occasionally, and contributes minimally to handle and/or has at most a minor interest in horse ownership, deserves a box over someone who bets $1000 a day through NYRA?

Exactly my point. Time for NYRA to earn. Absolutely nothing wrong with making money on people in order to provide an excellent product. Saratoga is the golden goose. How is the Inner meet suppose to be offset and improvements to game suppose to be managed without money?

There are a couple hundred great seats.. Sell them for big money and take the funds and do the right thing with the money. What are there 17 elite racing days (Sat&Sun) not a lot of seats not a lot of premium dates. If there are 300 great seat for each day then there are 5100 pay days for NYRA at 500 a seat that is 2.5mil from people who can and will afford it. If NYRA can earn an extra to 5 to 7 mil by raising the price of the seats then they will have 5 mil to go after cheats.. Do the math it's better for everyone including the people who lost there seats.