6/19/2009, It was HOT!,,, It was HAPPENIN'! It was CHURCHILL DOWNS!!!!

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by Gander

I wonder why lights at Saratoga has never been tried? The weather is perfect, the crowds would be huge. It would shake things up a bit and be just the thing to bring in new fans. Attended Hollywood on Friday nights and its wonderful. Such a great mix of young and old, gamblers and casual fans, etc. Perfect transition into the nightlife (which Saratoga doesnt have much of, but hey its Upstate NY not Manhattan...we go to be early here).

Friday night would be the perfect night. They could have post time at 6pm and run half the races in the daylight and the half under the lights. Gates could open at 4pm with great Happy Hour Specials, providing an alternative for those people who are sick of Caroline Street. We need something else to do here at night...the harness track is just plain pathetic.

These were the attendance figures for Fridays at Saratoga last year and note that the 8/8 program was cancelled because of weather. Remember also that the 1st and last Fridays had sunset post times. Do you really think the crowds will be that much bigger?

7/25: 20,626
8/1: 19,435
8/8: 12,928 (CANCELLED)
8/15: 20,098
8/22: 22,988
8/29: 18,195

NT