The "greatest two minutes in sports" aside...

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

So by the dismissive tone of this response, I take it that you support CDI and the takeout increase.

I don't support or decry it. I deal in the realities as they happen and defer to people running their business the way they see fit under circumstances that precipitate sometimes unpopular policy decisions. As in the case of the CA increases that helped stabilize the situation out there, these takeouts, (that actually just move CD's rakes from industry bargain to industry typical levels), were done in a defensive manner against the gaming backdrop that puts Churchill in a bad spot versus Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. If it turns out to be a bad business move, that will become evident. If it keeps the CD purses competitive with competition and helps them keep horses in town, that will become evident.

What I'm dismissive of are those that have no clue what optimal pricing may actually be, yet promote actions that are more detrimental to the health of the game than the price increase itself. Are high takeouts odious and a negative, inhibiting factor to the growth and health of the game? Of course. No one is questioning that. But if you keep working to convince inexperienced players that they don't win just because of any takeouts regardless of the number or circumstance, you're guaranteeing they have an excuse to not play and give up. Pricing in racing is like pricing anywhere. Shop and find the price that's acceptable to you. Horseplayers boycott tracks every day simply by choosing what card they find most attractive to play and spending their money against it.