1,719 ... That's All (The) Folks!

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

I share your concern with low attendance, but as long as handle remains high, racing will continue. When gambling was briefly banned in NY in... 1910? Was that when? tracks closed all over the state.

BB, you brought up the topic-- what would you do?

Tracks didn't close all over New York ... they closed all over Brooklyn.

Three of the most important tracks in the country ... Gravesend, Sheepshead Bay, and Brighton (a/k/a Coney Island) ... all located within a 2-square mile patch in the neighborhood which would later become famous for my living there ... closed because of draconian anti-betting laws.

There's a very simple solution to New York thoroughbred racing's woes ... which will never, ever be implemented ...

Get the politicians' hands off it and out of it ... and let it be treated as shabbily as all other businesses are in New York ... not more shabbilier as it currently is.

But as I said ... never gonna happen.

[Nostradamus]

This is obviously a post from an old man. Who cares about live racing? It is for dinosaurs. Even the big races like the derby are better on tv. The sport is so much better on high-def tv than it is live. Watching it live is boring, whether you are at Saratoga or Fairplex.

The mornings around the horses are great but why would you go to live racing? You sit around for 30 minutes bored out of your mind waiting for the next race.

The only reason to go to a place like Saratoga or any track is for entertainment and to hang around with people, unless you own the horse. The funny thing is many of the top owners don't even show up for their races. Belmont is great in the mornings and to go over for the big race, but other than that watching it while watching football or something else is much better. The tv's on the 3rd floor in the clubhouse at belmont are good on football weekends, but sometimes I go to belmont and just watch on tv anyway.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

This is obviously a post from an old man. Who cares about live racing? It is for dinosaurs. Even the big races like the derby are better on tv. The sport is so much better on high-def tv than it is live. Watching it live is boring, whether you are at Saratoga or Fairplex.

The mornings around the horses are great but why would you go to live racing? You sit around for 30 minutes bored out of your mind waiting for the next race.

The only reason to go to a place like Saratoga or any track is for entertainment and to hang around with people, unless you own the horse. The funny thing is many of the top owners don't even show up for their races. Belmont is great in the mornings and to go over for the big race, but other than that watching it while watching football or something else is much better. The tv's on the 3rd floor in the clubhouse at belmont are good on football weekends, but sometimes I go to belmont and just watch on tv anyway.

I would show up if I could. I don't live anywhere near a track (with the exception of Tampa Bay Downs one hour away.) I enjoy the smell of the horses... yes, even the horse shiat. It's exciting to me to see them in the paddock and the post parade live and up close.

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

I would show up if I could. I don't live anywhere near a track (with the exception of Tampa Bay Downs one hour away.) I enjoy the smell of the horses... yes, even the horse shiat. It's exciting to me to see them in the paddock and the post parade live and up close.

That is what the mornings are for. The afternoons at any track, including Saratoga, are like going to a picnic. Most people watch the races on television even if they are at the track. I live right next to Belmont and the track is awesome but watching it live is pointless. They even put large screen televisions on the infield so people can watch.

The only people that show up at Belmont or Aqueduct during the week are workers and old people. The weekends can be ok, but why go there when you can watch on television and flip around the football games between races.

NYRA could care less about attendance. It is all about handle.

[sumitas]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

That is what the mornings are for. The afternoons at any track, including Saratoga, are like going to a picnic. Most people watch the races on television even if they are at the track. I live right next to Belmont and the track is awesome but watching it live is pointless. They even put large screen televisions on the infield so people can watch.

The only people that show up at Belmont or Aqueduct during the week are workers and old people. The weekends can be ok, but why go there when you can watch on television and flip around the football games between races.

NYRA could care less about attendance. It is all about handle.

There are many pleasures to going to the track but it comes down to handle. And VLTs for the time being.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

This is obviously a post from an old man. Who cares about live racing? It is for dinosaurs. Even the big races like the derby are better on tv. The sport is so much better on high-def tv than it is live. Watching it live is boring, whether you are at Saratoga or Fairplex.

The mornings around the horses are great but why would you go to live racing? You sit around for 30 minutes bored out of your mind waiting for the next race.

The only reason to go to a place like Saratoga or any track is for entertainment and to hang around with people, unless you own the horse. The funny thing is many of the top owners don't even show up for their races. Belmont is great in the mornings and to go over for the big race, but other than that watching it while watching football or something else is much better. The tv's on the 3rd floor in the clubhouse at belmont are good on football weekends, but sometimes I go to belmont and just watch on tv anyway.

Are you kidding me?
I would give up TV, OTB and radio in a heartbeat if it meant I could spend everyday of my life watching live racing. I've never noticed the time between races but perhaps I'm too busy taking in the wind blowing through mare hair, the shiny coats in the paddock and studying the form...all things they can never re-create via Hi-Def.

[ateamstupid]

Move Belmont about 20 miles closer to civilization and that attendance doubles.

I really have no idea who, in their right mind, is skipping work, or even getting out of bed and driving (or even worse, taking the train) all the way out to Elmont on a rainy weekday afternoon. I'm surprised they had as much attendance as they did.

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Move Belmont about 20 miles closer to civilization and that attendance doubles.

I really have no idea who, in their right mind, is skipping work, or even getting out of bed and driving (or even worse, taking the train) all the way out to Elmont on a rainy weekday afternoon. I'm surprised they had as much attendance as they did.

Elmont isn't "way out" if you're already there.

Literally millions of people live within a 15-mile radius.

We think Timbuktu is far away ... but lots of folks just call it "home."

[boswd]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

This is obviously a post from an old man. Who cares about live racing? It is for dinosaurs. Even the big races like the derby are better on tv. The sport is so much better on high-def tv than it is live. Watching it live is boring, whether you are at Saratoga or Fairplex.

The mornings around the horses are great but why would you go to live racing? You sit around for 30 minutes bored out of your mind waiting for the next race.

The only reason to go to a place like Saratoga or any track is for entertainment and to hang around with people, unless you own the horse. The funny thing is many of the top owners don't even show up for their races. Belmont is great in the mornings and to go over for the big race, but other than that watching it while watching football or something else is much better. The tv's on the 3rd floor in the clubhouse at belmont are good on football weekends, but sometimes I go to belmont and just watch on tv anyway.

First off, I am 36 not too old, yet. Second off there is no way watching it on tv even comes close to being up on the rail and watching them come flying down the stretch and hearing the roar of the crownd and the horse pounding the dirt. Or watching them in the paddock and appreciating how beutiful and amazing these creatures. Walking down the path and bumping into Bobby Frankel or Jerry bailey.
yeah go enjoy your x-box.

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by boswd

First off, I am 36 not too old, yet. Second off there is no way watching it on tv even comes close to being up on the rail and watching them come flying down the stretch and hearing the roar of the crownd and the horse pounding the dirt. Or watching them in the paddock and appreciating how beutiful and amazing these creatures. Walking down the path and bumping into Bobby Frankel or Jerry bailey.
yeah go enjoy your x-box.

Funny you bring up Bobby Frankel, because he watches the races on television.

Your x-box comments are funny. I am going to just guess I have been around more good horses in the last week than you have been around in your life. If you want to appreciate horses you go in the mornings or you go to the farm. The paddock and racing give zero indication of the beauty of the animal.

Watching races live is pointless, especially at Belmont. There could be 20,000 there and it still feels like a ghost town. Even at Saratoga it is better to watch on television than live. What do you get a 2 second glimpse of the horses sitting on the rail. You miss all the strategy sitting on the rail.

And opening day in baseball is useless. Nobody cares.

[2MinsToPost]

take out will not keep your average joe blow fan from coming from the track, they most likely don't even know it exists.

make the day at the track fan friendly and they will come - a little advertising goes a long way - plain and simple.

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by 2MinsToPost

take out will not keep your average joe blow fan from coming from the track, they most likely don't even know it exists.

make the day at the track fan friendly and they will come - a little advertising goes a long way - plain and simple.

People work during the week and are busy on weekends. They don't have the time. Saratoga is so popular because it is held during the summer when people are on vacation. Belmont is awesome but nobody is ever going to go unless there is a big event. People have other things to do and can bet at home or in an OTB. There is nothing to do at the track during the races.

Originally Posted by 2MinsToPost

take out will not keep your average joe blow fan from coming from the track, they most likely don't even know it exists.

make the day at the track fan friendly and they will come - a little advertising goes a long way - plain and simple.

Great idea.

They should hire a young actress ... someone not overly beautiful ... someone like ... oh, say ... Laurie Petty ... and show her going to the track ... and running around and jumping up and down ... and having a good time ...

... and come up with a catchy slogan ... like ... ummm ... like ... how about "Go, Baby ... Go!" ... yeah, something like that ... and keep playing it all over the TV.

Yeah ... that'll work ... I know it will.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

Funny you bring up Bobby Frankel, because he watches the races on television.

Your x-box comments are funny. I am going to just guess I have been around more good horses in the last week than you have been around in your life. If you want to appreciate horses you go in the mornings or you go to the farm. The paddock and racing give zero indication of the beauty of the animal.

Watching races live is pointless, especially at Belmont. There could be 20,000 there and it still feels like a ghost town. Even at Saratoga it is better to watch on television than live. What do you get a 2 second glimpse of the horses sitting on the rail. You miss all the strategy sitting on the rail.

And opening day in baseball is useless. Nobody cares.

Then it is pretty clear that horse racing is nothing more than a gambling outlet to you not any different than poker, slots or scratch off tickets. That's cool, your type is a main cash cow in the industry but I like more as a sport. And if I make a few bucks, great.
And since I don't know you and don't know if are personally around horse all day or not. Don't really care actually.

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by boswd

Then it is pretty clear that horse racing is nothing more than a gambling outlet to you not any different than poker, slots or scratch off tickets. That's cool, your type is a main cash cow in the industry but I like more as a sport. And if I make a few bucks, great.
And since I don't know you and don't know if are personally around horse all day or not. Don't really care actually.

Actually I am a regular in the mornings and love the farm, but the racetrack in the afternoon is really nothing more than a stage where they film for television. Gambling drives the sport. That is the reality of it. You can love the sport without having to go to the track. The racetrack is actually a pretty depressing place except on the weekends or during the summer.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

Actually I am a regular in the mornings and love the farm, but the racetrack in the afternoon is really nothing more than a stage where they film for television. Gambling drives the sport. That is the reality of it. You can love the sport without having to go to the track. The racetrack is actually a pretty depressing place except on the weekends or during the summer.

Some can be. A few of us out here will go out and spend an afternoon at suffolk downs. And even though we are having a good time you take a look around and your right it is very depressing.
It just gives you that much more appreciation for Saratoga, Del Mar and Keeneland.