New Derby Infield Choice

[Thunder Gulch]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I don't get it....why is this bad? They are offering another alternative to patrons......if people aren't interested they don't have to patronize it. As for the dollar cost, what am I missing, as they have been neglectful not to try and capitalize on their big day in the past. Please remind me of the other businesses that don't try to cash in on popularity.

Racing constantly gets trashed for being complacent. But, somehow this idea is already a bad thing? This kind of thinking makes no sense to me.

I see where you are coming from with the corporate angle, but what about taking care of the loyal folks who pay $40 for little or no view, push a pile of money through the windows, and drink their $9 juleps without much complaint? I know there are a lot of infielders who contribute next to nothing to the handle, but the wannabee millionaires who show up for one day in their suits are by in large the $2 show players more interested in fancy hats. How many of those $9 drinks you think the guy in the pinstripes is going to knock back? I'd put BT or any of my crew against 90% of the customers in terms of how much they spend, but we're the ones getting squeezed.

If you really want to maximize your profits, how about going ahead and raising the price on juleps to $20 and increasing the take to 35% because the one race a year folks really aren't motivated by any return on their wagers, and I'd probably still drink 8 juleps just because it's a long day.

[ELA]

Originally Posted by Thunder Gulch

I see where you are coming from with the corporate angle, but what about taking care of the loyal folks who pay $40 for little or no view, push a pile of money through the windows, and drink their $9 juleps without much complaint? I know there are a lot of infielders who contribute next to nothing to the handle, but the wannabee millionaires who show up for one day in their suits are by in large the $2 show players more interested in fancy hats. How many of those $9 drinks you think the guy in the pinstripes is going to knock back? I'd put BT or any of my crew against 90% of the customers in terms of how much they spend, but we're the ones getting squeezed.

If you really want to maximize your profits, how about going ahead and raising the price on juleps to $20 and increasing the take to 35% because the one race a year folks really aren't motivated by any return on their wagers, and I'd probably still drink 8 juleps just because it's a long day.

Interesting study in demographics. Blame is easy, maximizing revenue is always an excuse or casue, etc. Maybe this appeals to more people, maybe it doesn't.

I don't think it's about debating what % of infielders contribute nothing to the handle vs. the % of millionaires who show up, don't drink and bet $2. The simple fact is that the guy in the pinstripes can afford to buy more of those $9 drinks than the infielder. Whether or not those monies are spent is a foolish arguement, but that's probably what CD has in mind. Who knows.

Personally, I too think it's a good idea. Are people being "squeezed" so to speak? I don't know. Has anyone seen the details and specifics of exactly how this will work, or is just the automatic jump to blame? The loyal customer shouldn't be the one squeezed, but that's the way it will happen.

Eric

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Thunder Gulch

I see where you are coming from with the corporate angle, but what about taking care of the loyal folks who pay $40 for little or no view, push a pile of money through the windows, and drink their $9 juleps without much complaint? I know there are a lot of infielders who contribute next to nothing to the handle, but the wannabee millionaires who show up for one day in their suits are by in large the $2 show players more interested in fancy hats. How many of those $9 drinks you think the guy in the pinstripes is going to knock back? I'd put BT or any of my crew against 90% of the customers in terms of how much they spend, but we're the ones getting squeezed.

If you really want to maximize your profits, how about going ahead and raising the price on juleps to $20 and increasing the take to 35% because the one race a year folks really aren't motivated by any return on their wagers, and I'd probably still drink 8 juleps just because it's a long day.

The infielders don't drink the mint juleps, they sneak flasks in taped to their legs

And seriously, they contribute nothing to the handle, although your fancy-suit-guy point is well taken.

[Thunder Gulch]

Originally Posted by philcski

The infielders don't drink the mint juleps, they sneak flasks in taped to their legs

And seriously, they contribute nothing to the handle, although your fancy-suit-guy point is well taken.

If you really think they don't contribute to the handle, you've never stood in line for 45 minutes getting shut out trying to make a bet. I bet at least two races per trip just to prevent this. Even the lines at the $50 window are occupied. True there are undoubtedly thousands who don't put anything in, but every window on the infield is jam packed by the third race.

Also, while it is true a lot of booze makes it through the gate hidden from the cops, the game has greatly changed since the new security measures in 2002. No more coolers, and they search bags. Same as the betting windows, the lines for mint juleps are always full, and the infield has sold out of mint juleps two of the last four years.

[slotdirt]

I couldn't imagine what I would do if I was denied mint juleps at the Derby. That would be scandalous.

I think phil is auditioning for a churchill management position.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

I think phil is auditioning for a churchill management position.

if they had a clue they would hire him asap

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

I think phil is auditioning for a churchill management position.

I have no idea what you're talking about.

Originally Posted by hoovesupsideyourhead

if they had a clue they would hire him asap

Behooved, fine sir.

Originally Posted by Thunder Gulch

If you really think they don't contribute to the handle, you've never stood in line for 45 minutes getting shut out trying to make a bet. I bet at least two races per trip just to prevent this. Even the lines at the $50 window are occupied. True there are undoubtedly thousands who don't put anything in, but every window on the infield is jam packed by the third race.
Also, while it is true a lot of booze makes it through the gate hidden from the cops, the game has greatly changed since the new security measures in 2002. No more coolers, and they search bags. Same as the betting windows, the lines for mint juleps are always full, and the infield has sold out of mint juleps two of the last four years.

I know... but I think most of this is due to the complete incompetence of the tellers and the bettors. Most of these people only bet once or twice a year, and the tellers only work the totalisator machines once or twice a year, and their "training" consists of about 15 minutes of learning how to count money. I know because I asked the woman why she didn't know how to correctly enter a pick 4.

[slotdirt]

How can one not like a drink that is basically bourbon and a couple sprigs of mint?

[Scav]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

I couldn't imagine what I would do if I was denied mint juleps at the Derby. That would be scandalous.

I wish I was denied those things, they taste god awful

[-BT-]

Originally Posted by Scav

I wish I was denied those things, they taste god awful

are you american?

-bt-

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Scav

I wish I was denied those things, they taste god awful

the first might not be great...but they tend to taste better after a few.

[TheSpyder]

Originally Posted by philcski

The infielders don't drink the mint juleps, they sneak flasks in taped to their legs

I found Vodka in a plastic bag to be very effective. They never know it's there

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

I found Vodka in a plastic bag to be very effective. They never know it's there

I heard a funny story about sneaking stuff into the infield. a few times during the spring meet after the Derby they open the infield up and have car shows and stuff like that. One day they found two guys with a trash bag full of liquor who were digging a hole out beyond where the porta potties were. They were going to bury the bag and dig it up on derby day the next year. Unfortunately for them they did it during a raceday in broad daylight and got caught.

[TheSpyder]

I had a friend bring some of the best reefer to Saratoga once and he gave me some extra. Since I was on business heading for a flight home to the Carolinas via Boston, I hid it in a gas station bathroom under the sink near a customer in Providence. Did not get back that way for over a year, and you know what...it was still there.

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I heard a funny story about sneaking stuff into the infield. a few times during the spring meet after the Derby they open the infield up and have car shows and stuff like that. One day they found two guys with a trash bag full of liquor who were digging a hole out beyond where the porta potties were. They were going to bury the bag and dig it up on derby day the next year. Unfortunately for them they did it during a raceday in broad daylight and got caught.

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

I found Vodka in a plastic bag to be very effective. They never know it's there

Ziploc Freezer Bags do the trick nicely. They can be resealed, are thick and rarely leak .

[TheSpyder]

Great minds think alike!

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

Ziploc Freezer Bags do the trick nicely. They can be resealed, are thick and rarely leak .

[3kings]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

Ziploc Freezer Bags do the trick nicely. They can be resealed, are thick and rarely leak .

Baby bottles thrown in a cheap daiper bag always work.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by 3kings

Baby bottles thrown in a cheap daiper bag always work.

when they ask where the baby is, what do you say??

[3kings]

Originally Posted by Danzig

when they ask where the baby is, what do you say??

I havn't done this in a while, but usually that I dropped them off earlier so they wouldn't have to walk through the parking lots.