New sheriff in town in Saratoga

[pmacdaddy]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

I'm not one to collect these items, but what difference does it really make? We all know that the attendance figures are inflated, but that doesn't impact us at all?

If the giveaways help draw people to the track (and I know that some get their items and simply leave), isn't that a good thing? With the sole exception of the beach blanket giveaway a few years ago, I can't honestly say that I've ever been inconvenienced by a giveaway day crowd. And with NYRA solving the problem of "spinners" jamming the admission booths, even that isn't an issue any more.

Seems like the giveways really accomplish little. I know a lot more horseplayers that have stopped going on giveway days than I have ever heard someone say "I went for a free umbrella, now I'm hooked"...

If they want to make a gesture to fans, I would much prefer free admission Sundays. At least that ensures the people going have some interest in being there as opposed to collecting trunkloads of free crap for friends and neighbors.