2014 admission hikes for Belmont, Saratoga: GA $5, Clubhouse $8

[pointman]

Originally Posted by Jay Frederick

Not exactly. Horse racing is a gambling game and always has been. Baseball isn't. This is a much larger discussion but I'm not so sure horse racing can afford to say a loss of any wagering dollars is insignificant.

Don't get me wrong, I'd still go to the track if they doubled admission, but I'm sure some are going to be turned off by this. Is it really worth turning people off for an extra $3? I don't think so.

I agree that it is a much larger discussion. I get the argument that with attendance already down, raising admission rates has the ultimate effect of causing a certain percentage to spend their dollar elsewhere, thereby decreasing attendance.

However, if I am not mistaken, Roosevelt Raceway was charging $2 admission 40 years ago and probably longer. Also, if I am not mistaken, current admission is $3. Regardless, $2 or $3, for inflation alone $5 is not unreasonable.

I just can't see that losing a few people who are not willing to spend an extra couple of bucks that are probably putting a negligible amount through the windows is a real problem. Most of them will probably bet off-track anyway.

What is more disconcerting is Cuomo's attempts to cast off the franchise while ripping it off in a way to spin it in his direction.