|
|
Post by longtimeplayer on May 26, 2008 11:25:42 GMT -5
Took a ride to Tioga Downs for the Empire Breeders stake races Sunday. If anyone has not been there I urge you to go. This track has done it right from the moment you pull into the parking area, they offer valet parking $3.00 (no brainer) walk into a bright entry way, simulcast area on the right, casino on the left with players club service straight ahead. Head for the track area, sell programs for all the tracks available, spacious bar eating area on the right. Continue left to the indoor betting area, snack place on left $2 popcorn, $3 16oz draft beer, $2 hot puppies, after that is the buffet room. Out the automatic door to the covered grandstand, overlooking the 5/8 mile track. They have betting outside underneath the grandstand, chairs and bleachers outside. Waitress taking orders outside, guys walking around selling $2 popcorn and hot puppies. A kids play area to the right, small train ride for kids. This is a great example of what harness racing needs to survive, they had a large crowd and great racing besides. The Breeders cup final had the entire crowd cheering as Bullville Powerful edged Riggins right at the wire. Great racing, great facility. Check it out sometime. This sort of thing would bring Northfield back to life.
|
|
|
|
Post by longshotmike on May 26, 2008 14:10:25 GMT -5
Sounds like Tioga has there opertions under control and very player friendly!
|
|
|
|
Post by jimhorseman on May 26, 2008 21:29:35 GMT -5
Guys:
I made my first trip to Tioga on Kentucky Derby weekend and can only echo what Longtimeplayer observed. I was very impressed with the effort made to the harness half of the racino partnership. In the past ten years I have probably visited twenty or more harness tracks in the Northeast and Ontario and would probably rank Tioga in the top two or three as best tracks for the patron. The staff is working very hard to attrack locals and a younger crowd. I think it is important to harness racing's future that Tioga has huge success and other tracks notice and copy their master plan.
|
|
|
|
Post by jimhorseman on Sept 9, 2008 19:43:45 GMT -5
I made my second visit to Tioga this past weekend. My former race horse owner/partner who is based near Pompano Park in Florida came up for the weekend. He bred his mare with a Pennsylvainia colt and the baby is due in January. He was interviewing trainers (Though Tioga is in NY State it is about 100 yards from the Pennyslvainia border and many also race at nearby Pocono Downs) and seeing who he might give the new colt to be broken and trained.
I was just as impressed; as was my friend and his wife, with Tioga as I was on my first visit. They had a $9 brunch in their main dining room overlooking the track that was spectacular. We stayed at our table for most of the card and no one questioned when we would leave. We each had several helpings at the brunch table, a couple of deserts each and at least a half dozen soft drinks. No extra charge. We had a flat screen TV at our table which had not only the races but also the NFL Sunday ticket so we flipped between racing and football. They had all kinds of specials in the main area near the grandstand entrance. Dollar pop corn, cotton candy, soda etc. Once Tioga's live card ended we sat at the bar and watched the end of the second football game and enjoyed terrific alcoholic drink specials. Free snacks provided. For the kids they had face painting, an artist drawing free pictures (though most tipped him), balloons, kids play area etc. The crowd was good, the weather terrific and atmosphere near perfect. Though I didn't have great success at the windows I did have an enjoyable afternoon/evening. It shows what a track can do with some thought and effort.
|
|
|
|
Post by longtimeplayer on May 25, 2009 17:46:54 GMT -5
Wife and I made the treck again on Sunday for the Empire's Breeders races. Met a guy with a Freehold t-shirt on, me with my Batavia Downs t-shirt, come to find out he came 3 hrs to watch and wager. I was 2 hrs for the same. Same great racing, atmosphere, Tioga should give lessons on what needs to be done to attract and bring in customers. The place was BUSY! Wish Batavia would get some pointers.
|
|
