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Is the Price Right?

jeff
10/2/2009
9:51:23 PM

Is the Price Right?
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/ntra-alex-waldrop-straight-up/archive/2009/10/01/is-the-price-right.aspx

Guys, HANA is having an effect on the industry. Slowly but surely they are coming around.

-jp

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ryesteve
10/5/2009
4:53:21 PM

... but then again, a story like the following makes you wonder: Calder has been forced to cut purses by 15%, cancel two graded stakes, and slash the purse money on some other stakes. So what is their plan for turning things around??

“Our team at Calder is working diligently to get our slots and poker operations up and running as soon as possible,” said John Marshall, Calder’s vice president and general manager of racing.

Geez...

mikejlb
10/9/2009
3:14:42 AM

The slots will keep them alive, Steve. CA racing is really changing and I think lack of slot money is one of the main reasons. When HOL folds up then we may have a lot of dark days if things don't turn around.

I feel the tracks should be focusing on young people. It's hard to estimate how many young people play horses but I think it has a lot of room to expand.

I went to a dog track when I was 17 and my friend was legal age. I went there often because it only cost $0.10 to get in and free parking. A young person that goes to the track today and pays all the expenses will go home a loser many more times than he should. The young person loses but so does everyone involved in racing.

ryesteve
10/9/2009
3:52:50 PM

I just have a hard time believing that the best solution to fix an ailing racing product is to prop it up with slots money. Like you said, address the problems in a more specific way by bringing in new customers (rather than diverting them to slots), and make the experience better for the existing customers.

jeff
10/10/2009
8:12:37 PM

--quote:

"I just have a hard time believing that the best solution to fix an ailing racing product is to prop it up with slots money. Like you said, address the problems in a more specific way by bringing in new customers (rather than diverting them to slots), and make the experience better for the existing customers."

--end quote

I hear you Steve. In PA, the state government has already started work on yanking slots subsidies from racing. At a time when most if not all states are facing budget shortfalls, it makes very little sense for states to prop up racing at taxpayer expense.

I have a number of meetings coming up over the next few weeks with some of the powers that be in racing. I can't yet say how serious they are about effecting real change. However, I can tell you that racing execs have recently made a push to seek out known players - and HANA board members - and at least listen to what we have to say.

Along those lines - if any of you have specific suggestions about improvements you'd like to see, shoot me an email so I can pass your suggestions on.

-jp

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capperlou
10/11/2009
4:58:24 PM

If PA is going to do this--what will happen to PHA which has been sustained by these revenues. DEL is in the same situation next door if they pull the rug out from under them. Both of these tracks have lured trainers from CRC and nearby circuits due to the purse structure.

CRC really needs the slot revenue, but with the economy being as it is, the racinos already in play here (dog tracks too) are not meeting expections. Just look at what happened with Gulfstream.

A very difficult situation indeed.

Ishmael
10/16/2009
10:05:44 AM

I love that one comment from the guy saying horse racing shouldnt cator to the bettor. Amazing. Could be a race track exec. And best part was saying how NFL doesnt.

A significant part of the NFL's popularity is due to betting. Or are we to believe the injury reports and point spreads are for "entertainment" purposes only

As far as the issue of takeout, I really want the point to get across that a reduction in takeout will INCREASE overall net revenue. Which doesnt ever seem to get made. People will say its "too high" but that doesnt drive change. Because of so much self interest. Reduced takeout will help everyone. Not just bettors. Again that case needs to be made to implement the actual change

~Edited by: Ishmael on: 10/16/2009 at: 10:05:44 AM~

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Off Topic -- Is the Price Right?

Off Topic
-- Is the Price Right?