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Post by gtapp on Jan 18, 2011 8:18:49 GMT -5
Heard some rumors last night at the track.
Say it ain't so Giss.
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Post by thegiss on Jan 18, 2011 13:10:24 GMT -5
What rumors might those be? ;D
They are true, at leastly partially.
I will be leaving Northfield as a full-time employee after the February 4 race card.
I will continue to do Giss Picks for the program for the forseeable future, as well as the bi-weekly Keeping Pace media release. I will also be co-ordinating this year's Wall of Fame balloting and ceremony, as well as doing media relations and program copy for special races (Battle, Classic, Courageous Lady)
We are in discussion regarding the futre of the Smokin' With The Giss blog and Northfield's Facebook page, but it is likely I will continue to administer those.
My Harness Eye column will continue, but will take a broader focus and will probably undergo a name change.
All is good, but if any of you have any free-lance writing needs, I am available and have time now for some more clients.
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Post by trackrat on Jan 18, 2011 18:55:44 GMT -5
Giss, if you are done, I'm done also.
I'll take the charter bus to the Meadows twice a week for less than the gas it would have cost me, get $25 in casino chips AND see competitive harness racing. What's not to like?
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Post by thegiss on Jan 27, 2011 11:23:47 GMT -5
From Today's Cleveland PD-
Thistledown and Northfield Park are making management changes this winter.
Thistledown General Manager Brent Reitz is heading south on Northfield Road to the harness track. Caesars Entertainment is bringing in Lee Dillard, vice president of Harrah's Louisiana Downs, to get the thoroughbred season rolling at Thistledown.
"I'm fortunate to be able to continue working in the horse-racing industry and not have to move from my hometown," said Reitz.
The graduate of Bowling Green State University worked for the Cleveland Cavaliers for eight years before his 20-year stint with Thistledown.
"There is a sadness in leaving Thistledown," said Reitz. "I've been supported by great employ ees and horsemen. I'll miss them all."
The Harrah's Entertainment that bought Thistledown for $43 million last year has gone away. While Harrah's is still a prime casino brand, the corporation is now Caesars Entertainment Corp.
Chief Executive Officer Gary Loveman said the name was changed in November to take advantage of Caesars being known as the company's luxury brand. The company owns Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, and it operates Caesars-branded casinos in Atlantic City, N.J., and Windsor, Ontario.
Harrah's acquired Caesars Entertainment Inc. in 2005 in a $9 billion buyout. The company is now the world's largest casino operator with 53 properties in six countries.
Thistledown could be re-branded, like many of the casino's properties, although Thistledown isn't considered a prime thoroughbred racing facility.
Dillard is expected to arrive at Thistledown on Monday. Reitz begins his new job Feb. 7 at Northfield Park.
Northfield Park races year round, with nightly live racing on Monday through Wednesday and Friday and Saturday through February. Thistledown begins its 2011 season on April 23.
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Post by thegiss on Jan 31, 2011 17:02:53 GMT -5
Update from today's Keeping Pace
THE OFFICE- Northfield Park, Ohio’s leading harness track, has announced the appointment of Thomas M. Aldrich, currently in his 26th year at the Cleveland-Akron metro area pari-mutuel facility, to President, filling a post left open by the retirement of Myron Charna last year. Aldrich will retain his title of chief operating officer and will continue to oversee the day-to-day operation of the company and its subsidiaries... Brent Reitz, who last week formally announced his departure from Thistledown, has been hired by Northfield Park as Vice President of Operations. Reitz is concluding 20 years of service at the Cleveland thoroughbred track, most recently as General Manager. Reitz’s areas of responsibility at Northfield Park include industry, community and player relations, off-track betting and advance deposit wagering operations, and development, and facilities management.
THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD GISS- Although your humble scribe will be leaving the track as a full-time employee after the February 4 race card, I will continue to produce this release for Northfield regularly and will work with the track on a contract basis handling other projects, including major race media, Wall of Fame and public handicapping. I started my professional relationship with Northfield Park as host and producer of the award winning Keeping Pace radio show. A couple of years later, this release joined the Keeping Pace franchise, and I joined Northfield full-time in 2001. Although the radio show is long gone, Keeping Pace trots on.
For more information on items in Keeping Pace, contact Keith Gisser at 330-467-4101, ext. 215, or by e-mail at info@northfieldpark.com through February 4. After February 4, I can be contacted at klgisser@earthlink.net.
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Post by thegiss on Feb 4, 2011 11:42:28 GMT -5
Hey, gang, I am cleaning out a bunch of old stuff (Hmmm, wonder why ) and have the following for sale:
John Hervey 1st Edition (1948) American Harness Racing. I cannot even find this book anywhere on line to give you an idea of its worth. Will take best offer, which so far is $50. Shipping included.
Advanced Harness Handicapping (1979) by Steve Chaplin. $15 includes shipping. Hardbound.
Harness Racing Vehicles- a soft-bound book that is a compendium of sulky history. Actually kind of cool, if a bit of a hodge-podge. $10 includes shipping.
Several copies of Northfield Park- Images Of Sports by Keith L. Gisser, autographed and personalized by the author. $18 each, includes shipping.
Stanley's Law. A collector's item, the classic 1981 softbound book was the bible for many of that era. $10 includes shipping.
Gerry Connors' Handicapping Beyond the Basics and Beyond The Basics 2- Great case study handicapping books. $10 for both, includes shipping
Robert Perosino's 1994 Selecting The Standardbred. Not a pretty book, but great info. Softbound. $10 includes shipping.
PM me for details. The Northfield Park Handicappers Board will get a portion (a small portion ) of any sales generated from here for allowing this post. You can also e-mail me at klgisser@earthlink.net.
Thanks
-Giss-
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Post by trackrat on Feb 4, 2011 18:52:36 GMT -5
Giss, just take all that stuff with you when you move over to Gilbert's managerial suite at the Horseshoe Casino in the Higbee building.
I could see you in Robert DeNiro's part from the movie Casino. Well, maybe not...
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Post by gtapp on Feb 5, 2011 8:39:11 GMT -5
You couldn't or wouldn't say what the plans are for the track not racing on Saturdays in May or June.
From what I understand it is so they can run the simulcast races for the triple crown series. Is that true?
Hard to believe the simulcast from 3 races can earn the track more than live racing for 8 or so days.
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Post by thegiss on Feb 7, 2011 13:57:23 GMT -5
You couldn't or wouldn't say what the plans are for the track not racing on Saturdays in May or June. From what I understand it is so they can run the simulcast races for the triple crown series. Is that true? Hard to believe the simulcast from 3 races can earn the track more than live racing for 8 or so days. Not even close...On Derby Day Nfld would handle at least twice what it would that night, at least. On a normal Saturday that time of year, with NYRA, Kentucky and the other early tracks, they will handle as much or more ON TRACK as they would on live. |
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