Presque Isle doesn't like you

[Scurlogue Champ]

Originally Posted by ShadowRoll

While the sentiment doesn't surprise me, I am surprised that a Presque Isle executive would make his disdain for the horse racing side of his business so plain to a reporter. It seems like this person views racing as a necessary evil that's required to juice the slots golden goose.

http://www.journal-news.com/news/ham...rss_local-news

Excerpt from the above linked article:

Presque Isle runs horse races 100 nights a year on the one-mile track, but most of the patrons come to spend their money on the slots and the virtual blackjack and roulette machines.

“Racing does not pay its way,” Presque Isle Downs Chief Executive Richard Knight said. “Racing is not profitable. It doesn’t contribute to the bottom line at all. Racing has been a declining sport in the United States for 30 years.”

Indeed, only a small percentage of the customers at the Presque Isle track on a Wednesday night pore over the racing sheets and place bets. Most of the patrons are families who came for the $2 hot dogs and a chance to see something novel. Children are allowed to watch the races but not enter the 47,436-square-foot slots area.

Sounds to me like he is just telling the truth.

What did you expect him to say?

[ShadowRoll]

Originally Posted by Scurlogue Champ

Sounds to me like he is just telling the truth.

What did you expect him to say?

I'd expect him to act like a responsible corporate figure. Imagine a Ford executive saying, "The market for pickup trucks has been fading since the '70s. In fact, pickup trucks really suck. I wish we only sold cars." If I were an MTR stock holder, I'd be writing a letter of complaint asking that this bozo be fired.

Secondly, although I recognize that it's past its heyday, I don't agree that horseracing is in its death throes. In fact, I have great optimism that the industry, if it ever gets off its collective monolithic ass, can adapt to the changing times. Besides, I'm sick of hearing this defeatist crap, especially from someone who should be an ally, but turns out instead to only be a quisling.