Ellis Park closing, now opening - Page 2

philcski · #21 07-03-2008, 08:42 AM

Penn National Gaming just got $1.5 billion to annull an LBO and remain a public company.

Don't be surprised if they make a run at the facility. They have some of the best gaming lobbyists in the country and WOULD get slots in there if they wanted to.

SniperSB23 · #22 07-03-2008, 09:04 AM

I don't get this. What possible reason is there for the horsemen to block the signal for Ellis Park? Their feud is with CDI. Why bring Ellis into it?

philcski · #23 07-03-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

I don't get this. What possible reason is there for the horsemen to block the signal for Ellis Park? Their feud is with CDI. Why bring Ellis into it?

I think we bet Ellis every day last year at Saratoga. A real shame.

SniperSB23 · #24 07-03-2008, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philcski

I think we bet Ellis every day last year at Saratoga. A real shame.

Yup, try to do something good by having a 4% takeout for a P4 and wind up shutdown the next year. Go figure.

mik9872 · #25 07-03-2008, 09:41 AM

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

#26 07-03-2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Habersham000

Actually he had a couple of good years in So. Cal when he had his bug and did ok once he lost that....then he went downhill but he did contend for titles in So. Cal which is no easy task....but then again I don't think you ever have a positive thing to say about anyone or anything

Bug riders always do well. He lost the bug and faded away.

Yeah the Chicago bunch....nuff said.

Scav · #27 07-03-2008, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

Bug riders always do well. He lost the bug and faded away.

Yeah the Chicago bunch....nuff said.

Am I lumped into that?

Haber is good people though, although he has gotten internet aggressive lately.....

#28 07-03-2008, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scav

Am I lumped into that?

Haber is good people though, although he has gotten internet aggressive lately.....

I don't know. You're not going to start getting offended when I make fun of bad riders are ya?

GBBob · #29 07-03-2008, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

I don't know. You're not going to start getting offended when I make fun of bad riders are ya?

Catalano is the best trainer in America

there

Scav · #30 07-03-2008, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

I don't know. You're not going to start getting offended when I make fun of bad riders are ya?

I am done with riders, unless they are french, or named Shane Laviolette......

GBBob · #31 07-03-2008, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scav[B

]I am done with riders[/b], unless they are french, or named Shane Laviolette......

Save that until after Jesse in the third today

#32 07-03-2008, 10:29 AM

Geary just held a press conference. It's still closed. Unemployment reps are at the track.

#33 07-03-2008, 10:37 AM

Geary said even with the 10 ADW's signed he would still have a $600,000 loss for the meet. Not having the ADW's would result in a $2,700,000 loss.

$4,000,000 in ADW in 2007.
Projected $15,000,000 in 2008.

2.5% take for Ellis. $275,000 bump...yet still a $2,150,000 loss?

Hmm.

philcski · #34 07-03-2008, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

Geary just held a press conference. It's still closed. Unemployment reps are at the track.

You live in that area, right? What is the sentiment- leave it closed or try to save it?

Strategic Mission · #35 07-03-2008, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DogsUp

It wouldnt be that hard for Churchill to extend their meet for a couple of months.

The Churchill spring meet is basically over after the Derby. So it essentially is a 1 week meet, then it becomes bad horses running in 95 degree heat, for $5000 purses, that 90% of the country can't bet on.

KY horse racing has become absolute garbage. Keeneland races on the polytrack, nobody can bet on Churchill, and there is no Ellis Park. Thank goodness for Turfway.

#36 07-03-2008, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philcski

You live in that area, right? What is the sentiment- leave it closed or try to save it?

Leave the track open and get a new owner. Geary is not a popular guy.

Strategic Mission · #37 07-03-2008, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

Leave the track open and get a new owner. Geary is not a popular guy.

I am sure hundreds are lining up to buy a track when they can't even control the signal that they own. Pools are likely to be smaller than at a local fair.

philcski · #38 07-03-2008, 11:06 AM

I gave you a buyer with fresh cash. They could easily make a run at it.

Was looking forward to a visit there in a couple weeks, hopefully this bluff-down breaks up and we get so see some racing there.

#39 07-03-2008, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strategic Mission

I am sure hundreds are lining up to buy a track when they can't even control the signal that they own. Pools are likely to be smaller than at a local fair.

If I recall, Geary was the only interested party left when Churchill had it for sale.

This is a pretty telling quote from a gentleman who is highly regarded locally...

Quote:

"I'm just hoping someone can come along and resurrect it," said Bob Jackson, director of simulcasting for the track and a 40-year employee of Ellis Park. "Hopefully a buyer can be found and get this place open again."

cmorioles · #40 07-03-2008, 12:49 PM

I think it is a great move by Geary. Screw the horsemen. Overall, they are getting more than they deserve anyway via slot subsidies.

Just as there is far from any guarantee of making money betting, there shouldn't be one for being a horsemen either.

They want more money. Where does anyone here think that money is going to come from? ADWs won't stick around if they can't make a profit. Racetracks are the same. So, where would this "additional" horsemen's money come from? Of course the usual, the bettor will pay for it.

The game needs ADWs to survive. Do the horsemen honestly think people will come back to the track? Do they think we will open 15 separate accounts so we can bet on all the tracks? If so, they are idiots. The only hope they have is to get people to bet more money, not by making it harder to bet and taking more of what we do.