Big $ MTH "uber meet" experiment moving forward

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

Isn't this all kind of a setup for the casinos to tell the state that the tracks are not getting anything starting in 2011?

NT

The casinos still are scared that the tracks will get slots and if the meet is deemed sucessful (at least by the politicians) it will be in the Casino's best interests to just pay the tracks off. They might get away with a smaller number though.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

The casinos still are scared that the tracks will get slots and if the meet is deemed sucessful (at least by the politicians) it will be in the Casino's best interests to just pay the tracks off. They might get away with a smaller number though.

It just seemed to me that this was kind of a "put up or shut up" type move by the governor where he's letting them know the results of the meet are going to be monitored closely.

I have the imagine the Philly setup is hurting AC quite a bit as well, so I think they'll be a tad less willing to part with even a dollar for racetracks.

NT

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

It just seemed to me that this was kind of a "put up or shut up" type move by the governor where he's letting them know the results of the meet are going to be monitored closely.

I have the imagine the Philly setup is hurting AC quite a bit as well, so I think they'll be a tad less willing to part with even a dollar for racetracks.

NT

Trying to handicap politicians is tough. I just think that if the meet goes off as a success, daily handle up, attendance up (both are close to slam dunks with the shorter meet), lower expenses, media praise, etc. the pols are gonna elbow the casinos in the ribs and say "Hey isnt racing without slots great? Lets keep this system in effect."

If the success is measured against the doubling of total handle, then we should enjoy the summer at Monmouth this year. There may not be another.


You know i was also thinking that Monmouth would be a great destination for a CA outfit looking to get off the poly and diminishing purses. Wouldnt be shocked if a few CA outfits shipped in.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Trying to handicap politicians is tough. I just think that if the meet goes off as a success, daily handle up, attendance up (both are close to slam dunks with the shorter meet), lower expenses, media praise, etc. the pols are gonna elbow the casinos in the ribs and say "Hey isnt racing without slots great? Lets keep this system in effect."

If the success is measured against the doubling of total handle, then we should enjoy the summer at Monmouth this year. There may not be another.


You know i was also thinking that Monmouth would be a great destination for a CA outfit looking to get off the poly and diminishing purses. Wouldnt be shocked if a few CA outfits shipped in.

How do they go back?

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by freddymo

How do they go back?

Same way they got there?

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Same way they got there?

Hi we are back let me have my stalls? Hollywood Park already is the home fifty horse entire race day programs

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Hi we are back let me have my stalls? Hollywood Park already is the home fifty horse entire race day programs

Exactly. The tracks are now the beggars. They can't turn away guys who want to come when they have empty stalls. One thing that the advent of supertrainers and slot tracks has done is lessen the importance of stalls at an individual track. CD used to get 4000 applications for 1500 stalls. They had empties last fall. NY has lots of empty stalls this winter. Keeneland is never full. Guys from KY shipped to delaware last June/July and they had plenty of stalls to accomodate them. CA tracks have no leg to stand on in refusing trainers stalls.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

If the success is measured against the doubling of total handle, then we should enjoy the summer at Monmouth this year. There may not be another.

In some respects, my reaction was the same as NTamm when I read this in the Bloodhorse article. Given the handle necessary to support these purse levels, if they don't do that much, it would not surprise me to see the politicians simply say that the game can't sustain itself, so let's get out of the racing business.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

In some respects, my reaction was the same as NTamm when I read this in the Bloodhorse article. Given the handle necessary to support these purse levels, if they don't do that much, it would not surprise me to see the politicians simply say that the game can't sustain itself, so let's get out of the racing business.

Right, or I'd be afraid their attitude would be, the hell with them, let them fight for slots, go through the motions because after all we're fighting a beast that's even closer (PHA).

NT

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

In some respects, my reaction was the same as NTamm when I read this in the Bloodhorse article. Given the handle necessary to support these purse levels, if they don't do that much, it would not surprise me to see the politicians simply say that the game can't sustain itself, so let's get out of the racing business.

I dont know that this is the best way to accomplish that goal. hell they could have just let the status quo stand and they would have more ammo to close the thing down. As i said before handicapping pols especially in a broke state like NJ is impossible

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

The casinos still are scared that the tracks will get slots and if the meet is deemed sucessful (at least by the politicians) it will be in the Casino's best interests to just pay the tracks off. They might get away with a smaller number though.

It's getting to a point that I am not so sure they care about slots or anything else.. The casinos save the Borgata and a little Harrahs are dead! Philly starts table games in April.. I do agree a deal will get done because its cheaper to pay off the track then compete.