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

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by 3kings

I'm compairing it to other entertainment options. It has live entertainment and it charges a minimal entrance fee for it. Nightclubs with DJ's or bands charge a cover for entertainment while your local bar with no entertainment probably doesn't.

I think they are trying to draw a younger hipper more affluent crowd to the races. They know this not going to happen at Aquduct in the winter but might work at Belmont in the spring or fall. To do this they are trying to price out some of the undesirables, stoopers, unwashed people etc.... I know this is a stereotype but when I try to bring new people to the races this is often the first thing I hear.

I've heard a lot of excuses for raising prices, but there is no way I'm buying that it is to keep out undesirables.

I guess this is where the split is. For some, it is entertainment, for others it is gambling. I love racing, but take away the gambling, and I'd most likely never go again.