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Post by jay44224 on May 15, 2008 9:08:11 GMT -5
With the economy in the shape it is - fuel prices on the never ending rise - increase costs for all households. How do you think it will impact our industry.
Will stables shrink?
Will more people stable at the track to reduce shipping costs?
How about fans - will some pass on a trip to the track and should tracks be allowed to have internet wagering on their website and have it be treated as on track handle.
Everyone should have some sort of opinion on this - lets get some dialog going.
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Post by longshotmike on May 15, 2008 11:04:35 GMT -5
I saw going into work today gas at $3.93 a gallon  Ridiculous really, but anyway... I think tracks should have their on-line wagering, that's a great idea, and I would think with gas being so high trainers might be selecting a home base and shipping out lightly if at all. Heres a question, what was the cost last year and what is the cost this year to ship one say from Northfield to Hoosier? |
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Post by trackrat on May 15, 2008 14:10:26 GMT -5
Jay, you actually have brought up several topics for discussion, all of them good topics.
Will stables shrink?: As a patron and not a horseman, it seems that some stables would increase in size, as they use bulk purchasing and better utilization of labor than smaller stables. The hobby stables like Quisenberry, et al would continue because they're not in this for the money anyway, at least that's the way it seems.
Will more people stable at the track? What is the cost of stabling a horse at the track vs stabling the horse at a trainer's farm or an owner's farm?
Will fans forego a trip to the track? Jay, hardly anyone goes there anymore to begin with. But I think the track attendance has already bottomed out. Anyone else will continue to come to the track.
Should a track be allowed to have internet wagering on their website and have it count as "on-track" handle? I am absolutely in agreement with this. It is Northfield's product. Why share the profits from YOUR product? In addition, I would be supporting Northfield directly, without having to pay the inflated concession prices. Instead of having one beer at the track for $4.75, I could have a six pack at home for the same amount of money. With gas at $4.12 a gallon this morning, I could even have a second six pack and still be ahead of the game, although I wouldn't remember it tomorrow.
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Post by jimhorseman on May 15, 2008 19:12:36 GMT -5
Jay:
Interesting that you ask if fans would forego a trip to the track. I am a Friday night regular. However; this coming Friday is my father-in-law's birthday and we have dinner plans for 5:00. I'm guessing we'll be done with cake and gifts no later than 8:00. ( Yes, I know it is an early evening but the man is in his mid 80's - 8:00 is actually a late night for him). Normally I would head directly to the track; arrive at around 8:30 and watch/bet the remainder of the local card. Today, I'm actually considering skipping it. Should I make the 40 mile round trip to see half a card of live racing and bet the Northfield card from about race 6 or 7 on? (Actually, the way Northfield has slowed down the pace of races I might actually just miss the early double). Time constraints and figuring $8.00 in gas costs are part of my decision. I can easily call my usual race partners who will be at the track - place my bets through them and watch from the comfort of my home. Not sure what I will do.
I think the idea of race track websites taking internet bets and being allowed to treat them as regular handle is a brilliant plan. Naturally the national horse race gambling websites would fight this tooth and nail but I think some good for the horse player would come from this. The national sites might offer incentives (higher cashback points) to discourage using the track website which would force the track website to offer a reason to use their services. The player placing bets would benefit from the competition.
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Post by jay44224 on May 15, 2008 21:08:06 GMT -5
It is interesting to get different view points. Whether it be handicapping races investing in stocks it pays to try and gauge how the current economy or political climate may effect things.
This year has been particularly hard on the horseman the price of hay has gone up dramatically, vet costs have gone up and now fuel charges.
I can not see the advantage trackrat has suggested with the economy of scales as a bigger stable being able to reduce cost by having more buying power. I can however see the struggling horse owner deciding to sit on the sidelines for a while until things stabilize.
I believe it costs more to stable off grounds and ship in- but I am not sure of the figures.
As far as the fans - when expendable cash tightens up entertainment expenses are the first thing to be cut.
As far as fans not going to the track - I have mixed emotions on that statement. At one time I would have agreed 100% on that statement but in the past year as I have been fortunate enough to travel to other locals I think I was starting to see a small upswing in attendance, although not much there was some.
It just seems to me that this summer may be a critical one, only time will tell.
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Post by longshotmike on May 15, 2008 21:32:56 GMT -5
I would love to see a credit card type of wagering system, for example, Northfield could issue a card that you can put money on whenever you like, and then if it ever happened that you could bet Northfield from Northfields site whatever you would win wagering from home would be instantly transfered to the card they issued you. In turn you can swipe your card at the track, make your wagers and do without vouchers if you so please, and then it would be cool if you could print out your wager history for tax purposes. Just a thought.
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Post by tautog on May 16, 2008 9:52:29 GMT -5
Will stables shrink?
I think the opposite is happening. It must just be me but at the major tracks it's been claim city it's not unusual at M1 to have 3 or more claims on a horse.
Will more people stable at the track to reduce shipping costs?
Again at M1 and even Yonkers I see more shippers than ever but I could be imagining it. Even Monticello horses are going to Pocono (some)
How about fans - will some pass on a trip to the track and should tracks be allowed to have internet wagering on their website and have it be treated as on track handle.
There's nothing like going to the track. I just met an 87 man there who helped build the Meadowlands. He has adopted me as his racetrack son ;D. I even called my wife to have her talk to him but he got embarrassed You can't do that at home. There a 42 year old kid (he's an adult I call him a kid) who is autistic and his dad takes him to Yonkers once in a while. I would drop what I'm doing just to see him and that means making very few bets as I sit with him and make him laugh. Priceless. People like to to heard (screaming) and seen. NJ has that ( OTW sort of it's run by the Meadowlands) and attendance and handle are up at the Big M. It's a dump I don't know why but those are the facts.
These opinion are exclusively of the tog and you are more than welcome to disagree as I love discussion.
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Post by tautog on May 16, 2008 9:56:47 GMT -5
I would love to see a credit card type of wagering system, for example, Northfield could issue a card that you can put money on whenever you like, and then if it ever happened that you could bet Northfield from Northfields site whatever you would win wagering from home would be instantly transfered to the card they issued you. In turn you can swipe your card at the track, make your wagers and do without vouchers if you so please, and then it would be cool if you could print out your wager history for tax purposes. Just a thought. Mike NJ has that and it works well. You can even put money in from a credit card (I refuse) if it's set up that way. If my funds are low I just put in more when I'm at the track. I can get a statement going back years from NJ OTW it's good. Just wish their videos were bigger on the computer my only complaint. Btw congrats on the nice score ;D |
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Post by tautog on May 16, 2008 9:58:39 GMT -5
I saw going into work today gas at $3.93 a gallon Ridiculous really, but anyway... I think tracks should have their on-line wagering, that's a great idea, and I would think with gas being so high trainers might be selecting a home base and shipping out lightly if at all. Heres a question, what was the cost last year and what is the cost this year to ship one say from Northfield to Hoosier? Also you have to add in the increased size of the purse so imo it's well worth it if the horse is live. |
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Post by jay44224 on May 16, 2008 10:45:17 GMT -5
Tautog - You are correct in saying the trackside experience is much better than at home. Some would probably say I am mentally deficient as to me it is the place I would like to spend most of my time.
We have a friend we call Cupola and you just can not replace the experience of listening to this guy. He was missing in action all winter and I asked him where he was. I got a 20 minute dissertation that had me laughing so hard tears were running down my face.
It seems like the consensus so far is that there will be no effect. Maybe Ohio tracks can catch a break by people staying closer to home to gamble then travel to neighboring states.
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Post by longshotmike on May 16, 2008 11:22:32 GMT -5
John is so right, "Cupola" is worth the price of gas to get there!
Even if you don't know who this is, chances are if you've been to Northfield you've heard his laugh, seen him dancing on the apron, or heard the phrase " Jesus Christ, that one is loaded!" ;D
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Post by thegiss on May 16, 2008 14:41:36 GMT -5
I would love to see a credit card type of wagering system, for example, Northfield could issue a card that you can put money on whenever you like, and then if it ever happened that you could bet Northfield from Northfields site whatever you would win wagering from home would be instantly transfered to the card they issued you. In turn you can swipe your card at the track, make your wagers and do without vouchers if you so please, and then it would be cool if you could print out your wager history for tax purposes. Just a thought. So would we, tied into the Players Club card. We have the technical ability to do it, but Amtote does not. United Tote offers a reloadable card system. Rgearding stabling costs, fairgrounds/training centers charge for stall rent- I am sure some ITS folks like UpperFilly could give us numbers and I will ask over there. We do charge stall rent at Northfield, but you can basically get a credit for every start you make--so most stables with racehorses that are supporting our live product do not pay stall rent, while the "colt" trainers do end up with a bill. |
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Post by longshotmike on May 16, 2008 14:59:14 GMT -5
Keith,
Any chance on switching from Amtote to United Tote?
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Post by thegiss on May 16, 2008 16:25:18 GMT -5
Keith, Any chance on switching from Amtote to United Tote? Not in the near future-- contracts and stuff. We are hopeful that Amtote will upgrade available technology. A smart card, cashless situation would be convenient and (greedy track management guy speaks here), people will spend more than if they use actual cash. A number of marketing stiudies have shown this. I of course want it strictly so our customers will have a more convenient and enjoyable experience  |
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Post by sulkyhaven on May 16, 2008 16:28:48 GMT -5
BTW, Keith....I like the NF website upgrade. Easier on the eyes and nice graphics.
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Ridiculous really, but anyway...
