Monmouth Park Week 2 Handle up 122%

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by HomerS

Ill try to clear this demographic thing up. I am not saying that the people who go to Belmont and Monmouth are the same exact demographic. If anything thought I was saying they werent- based on their betting amounts. What I am saying is both Monmouth and Belmont are basically drawing from the same general demographic as far as potential customers.

Not like Prairie Downs versus Belmont.

The Monmouth crowd is alot younger then the Belmont crowd to say nothing of the Aqueduct crowd. I'm in my 40's and when I go to Aqueduct think I am the youngest there. Which is part of the reason for the handle discrepancy.

But they are appealing to the bigger players with their current cards. Which is good. But concern is what if they go to 350k-400k in purses next year. What then?

All of this would be moot if the casinos didnt own the NJ politicians. Pretty much everyone agrees if you had slots at the Meadowlands that alone would provide enough supplemental revenue to keep Monmouth going. Could maintain higher purses and bigger fields.

Lastly as far as getting more revenue out of your current customers think that any strategy that is not player friendly focused is a loser. Gouging people on parking, admission, programs, concessions is a bad practice, and again part of the reason racing is where its at now. Went to Monmouth Sunday and they upped price of everything from last year. Used to be free parking, first time had to pay in several years. Admission was higher too. Bad business practice. Now if talking about reducing takeout thats a whole different story

How about instead of gouging your clients or reducing takeout, you offer more value? How about finding out what would attract more of the young people to the track? How about installing light stanchens (sp?) a la churchill downs and doing night racing on friday nights? Why not educate the people that you are drawing and fatten them up with contests and giveaways? Why not offer different entertainment acts? Why not have acts or contests or giveaways during the intervals between the races? There are a million things you could do. This is not earth shattering. This is basic marketing.

Why do so many people think that the Sport of horse racing is beyond simple marketing? Is it because the NTRA has been in charge of that for so long? I guess i just answered my own question.

[dalakhani]

Think about something as ridiculous as the "epic buffet" at charlestown. Its a huge draw. That place is packed every friday and saturday and also sunday for brunch.

They put a carving station and shellfish out and those rednecks think they are eating at Per Se.

Sure, its a restaurant packed with two dollar bettors but there is no doubt that there are some players that have been attracted or created by that place.

[GBBob]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Think about something as ridiculous as the "epic buffet" at charlestown. Its a huge draw. That place is packed every friday and saturday and also sunday for brunch.

They put a carving station and shellfish out and those rednecks think they are eating at Per Se.

Sure, its a restaurant packed with two dollar bettors but there is no doubt that there are some players that have been attracted or created by that place.

Slightly off topic, but Joe Kristufek and Brian Spencer started doing "seminars" on busy days at AP last year. It started out with them just having a microphone and saying to please ask any questions...A few people would come up to them. This year, they brought out tables and a white board and explained ROI and if you want to bet $10.oo on a race, instead of doing $5 WP, try an exacta key or Tri keys, etc. Drew up the bet and exactly how to do it. Last weekend they had 30 or 40 casual bettors huddled around the board every hour all day learning something they never would on their own. It's great to see that.