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

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by jballscalls

I can tell you each day we have people who show up just to watch the races and who don't bet. Some just want to take pictures, some want to get drunk and watch the races and hang out, some just like the sport.

I believe you can't bet on the races on track in Dubai, but they still get a fairly decent crowd no?

Also addressing someones points about vagrants showing up if admission is free, we haven't charged for admission or parking since I've been here and any undesirables who are actually behaving badly, it's quite easy to just give them the boot.

I've always been in favor of free parking and admission and we get many fans who come down from Emerald and comment that they appreciate it because i think admission is like $7 up there and parking with any closeness is $7 as well. I will say that most new people are surprised when they find out we don't charge admission, most said they expected a charge FWIW.

They don't run 5k claimers in Dubai and they don't run 5 days a week, 50 days a year. Pretty sure people do bet in Dubai, even if it isn't official.

Of course there are always going to be a few people that show up and don't bet, but we all know that number is miniscule here in the US.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

im saying that the product is worth it..not that they should..if you cant afford 8 bucks ..you shouldent be gambling..imo

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by hoovesupsideyourhead

im saying that the product is worth it..not that they should..if you cant afford 8 bucks ..you shouldent be gambling..imo

It isn't a matter of if you can afford $8. We're already paying enough. That is my only point. The $8 is just tacked on top of what you lose...and at the end of the year nearly everyone loses.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

It isn't a matter of if you can afford $8. We're already paying enough. That is my only point. The $8 is just tacked on top of what you lose...and at the end of the year nearly everyone loses.

so you think it should be free to walk in to saratoga and bring your own food and beer in the best racing venue in the usa?

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by hoovesupsideyourhead

so you think it should be free to walk in to saratoga and bring your own food and beer in the best racing venue in the usa?

I have said I can understand Saratoga, but not Belmont. Saratoga is unique and there is a demand.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

I have said I can understand Saratoga, but not Belmont. Saratoga is unique and there is a demand.

do you charge less for timeforms at belmont and aq?

[ranger5830]

I'm late to the party here, but coming from someone in CA who has always paid admission to get into the track, even the OTBs here charge admission, I understand that people don't like when prices go up, but as has already been stated, in 2014 $5 is not a huge charge, indeed Santa Anita has been at $5 for several years now.

Out here we have the thoroughbreds program, it's a card that you scan at the gate that gives you discounted admission, the more you go the less expensive it is, to ease the burden on the most valued customers, the guys that show up 3-4 days a week. Couldn't NYRA do the same thing, or do they already?

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by hoovesupsideyourhead

do you charge less for timeforms at belmont and aq?

I have no idea how that applies, but I have no idea what we charge. I obviously don't pay. I also have no say, just like I doubt Andy Beyer is consulted on the price of DRF.


The defense of these price raises is the very reason bettors take it in the shorts constantly. We're an easy mark.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by ghartman02

Bottom Line: If you increase admission, make sure there is value.

Why? It's a business.

Would you demand as much elsewhere?

(We do need to discuss your women going to the track line some day but I don't want to take this thread in a whole other direction so I'll behave and play nice in the sandbox for now).

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

Why? It's a business.

Would you demand as much elsewhere?

(We do need to discuss your women going to the track line some day but I don't want to take this thread in a whole other direction so I'll behave and play nice in the sandbox for now).

They can do what they want with prices. But most businesses raise prices when there is a demand. We'll see what happens, but I'd bet this will be a failure.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

They can do what they want with prices. But most businesses raise prices when there is a demand. We'll see what happens, but I'd bet this will be a failure.

I just have a hard time seeing why this is such a big deal. Good Lord it's not even the price of going to a movie.

... and we're talking Belmont.

Well worth it.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

I just have a hard time seeing why this is such a big deal. Good Lord it's not even the price of going to a movie.

... and we're talking Belmont.

Well worth it.

i agree.
i paid more than that to walk thru a dead guy's house. and the house wasn't even that nice, but the memorabilia was-even if the tour guide wasn't historically accurate!

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

I just have a hard time seeing why this is such a big deal. Good Lord it's not even the price of going to a movie.

... and we're talking Belmont.

Well worth it.

Like I said earlier, we don't just go to watch. You bet $100, you spend at least $20 on average just on betting. PPs, parking, food, etc. It all adds up.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

Like I said earlier, we don't just go to watch. You bet $100, you spend at least $20 on average just on betting. PPs, parking, food, etc. It all adds up.

But arent there incidental costs involved with any kind of entertainment?
Every means of going to the track has gone up in recent years (and it doesn't look like it's stopping anytime soon), I would think that would be more detrimental to people not going track then the couple of dollar increase that's going in to effect now.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

They don't run 5k claimers in Dubai and they don't run 5 days a week, 50 days a year. Pretty sure people do bet in Dubai, even if it isn't official.

Of course there are always going to be a few people that show up and don't bet, but we all know that number is miniscule here in the US.

Dubai? The average net worth of people attending the Dubai meet has to be 10 mil plus and that is because a few business people go how are only worth 5 mil.
Dubai vs. Arlington you do the math..lol