NYRA Knockers TAKE THIS!!!

[ELA]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Geez, Eric, I never realized you were such a smart guy.

LOL. Thanks Andy. I think you never realized it because I am always asking you for your opinion! LOL.

Anyway -- no offense everyone, but this has nothing to do with the prices of hotdogs and beer, or admission and parking for that matter.

Do not confuse cause and effect. Those elements would correct themselves if the larger, marcro-issues were addressed. I don't want to start another arguement here but the sport and the business around this sport has changed. It is not what it used to be 40 or 50 years ago. Some, all, or part of this has evolved into an entertainment environment. You know what's changed since then? Everything.

There are parts of this that are evolutionary and there are other parts that are revolutionary. Now I know the old fashion, diehard, hard-core, etc. gambler types will absolutely despise this and what's going on in our industry -- but today's racing facility, the product, and numeorus other aspects of sport/business are without question competing with other mediums and environments for our dollars. You don't have to like it or deal with it but it is a fact. OTB, off-shore, internet wagering, the back room at the bar, etc. -- all of them are competition. The casinos, race books, and other forms of entertainment and gambling, whether pari-mutuel or not. The products may be different, but we are talking about gambling dollars, entertainment, costs, etc.

Many people do not like what Frank Stronach is doing down at Gulfstream. I've been there numerous times so I am not speaking absent of facts. Stronach is a visionary. You may hate the vision, but he has one. You may think he is inept at running a publicly traded company. You may think he is guilty of many things. But he is committed to the vision.

Sports bars, fine dining, cigar lounges, VLT's, shows, and other forms of entertainment. Retail, commercial, other real estate strucutures. This will bring people to a facility. The track will be there. Will they turn into fans? Will they turn into gamblers? Will they turn into regulars? Possible -- not probable; not to a significant extent or degree. That is not the only answer though.

But this, and the alternative forms of revenue will find its way into purses. It will trickle into other areas. There will be ancillary effects -- yes, both positive and negative -- in other aspects. This should contribute and make progress toward more competitive fields and more competitive racing throughout a meet. This could attract people to the business (ownership; although that's another aspect of the business that needs to be cleaned up). This should lead to increased handle -- not just on-track handle however. Sure, there are several "shoulds" and "coulds" there -- but that is what's needed. A new paradigm. A paradigm shift in the way this sport and this business is looked at, operated, and run.

I don't mean to oversimplify the problems or the solutions. This ain't your mom and pop grocery store anymore. You can't run it like it is.

Eric

Eric I agree with you. Tracks cannot survive by just offering racing anymore. There needs to be other sources of revenue. Hopefully that revenue finds it was into purses. Who cares if a non-racing fan goes to the "racino" and takes in a show, or eats dinner or watches a movie. The point is that revenue is being generated to increase purses and that helps fields, horseman and basically the industry. If 1 of a thousand people turn into a horse player then it was a success. If not, horsemen will gladly accept the money the patrons spent on dinner or other forms of entertainment.

The business needs to evolve and not digress. It needs to transform likes other forms of entertainment has. I think it has a long long way to go but with people like Frank we can get there. Not saying his way is right, but at least he is trying.

[ELA]

Originally Posted by eurobounce

Eric I agree with you. Tracks cannot survive by just offering racing anymore. There needs to be other sources of revenue. Hopefully that revenue finds it was into purses. Who cares if a non-racing fan goes to the "racino" and takes in a show, or eats dinner or watches a movie. The point is that revenue is being generated to increase purses and that helps fields, horseman and basically the industry. If 1 of a thousand people turn into a horse player then it was a success. If not, horsemen will gladly accept the money the patrons spent on dinner or other forms of entertainment.

The business needs to evolve and not digress. It needs to transform likes other forms of entertainment has. I think it has a long long way to go but with people like Frank we can get there. Not saying his way is right, but at least he is trying.

What worries me is that if this sport and this business does not capture attendance, on-track handle, new fans, etc. -- eventually legislation may get to the point where racetrack operators will only need to have very short meets or no meet at all in order to keep their "racinos" open. That evolution worries me. I remember the Meadowlands years ago doing concerts with popular local NJ (and tri-state bands). Was it a huge success? No, but they did get "flow over" and people came in watched races, had dinner, etc. Yes, they aren't doing great but that may be reflective of the industry, not of the Meadowlands or NJ.

Revenue from the Keenelands sales company is feeding the track and the racing side of the game. Is it subsidizing? Yes, it sure is. However, subsidies are a part of many major industries and governments. That's a discussion for another time though, LOL.

Let's hope that progress, not regress, occurs.

Eric