Probably why they were pretty empty.

I was also at one of the Turf Clubs of Parx this Friday and Saturday just to get out of the house and hang with some friends in the same boat. They were happy AQU was open, but it's not everybody's favorite winter betting venue.

My estimates and those I got from others was business was off 60% to 75%.

One thing people forget is that that waitresses/waiters. bartenders and mutuel clerks all suffer in this. Ticket-takers don't get tipped with nobody playing and hitting nice tickets, bartenders and wait staff don't get tipped from customers who aren't there. They all took a hit 2 weeks before Christmas.

I'd like to see what exactly we're talking about here. Both sides are secretive about percentages and arrangements. I kinda feel that this is my $2 and I should really know where it's all going. One of the obstacles is that it is basically unregulated by the state jurisdictions beyond what is going on in that jurisdiction. For example, in PA, the racing commission controls where it's state-based (Parx, Penn Nat) handle goes and it's public record. Simulcasting is different. This Mid-Atlantic Coalition and Monarch are not racing entities and come under no jurisdiction of state racing commissions.

Maybe they should.

I'm going to think up some questions and post them later this week. Not that I think any of the 2 groups involved in this really have any stake in what the betting public think. They are paid by the tracks and, most likely receive no difference in income related to handle. They seem to be buying and selling groups. No sales or performance commission as such. I don't know.

If anybody can get this settled, it's Steve.

That's not entirely fair. Santa is free for a little while now as well.

Not here in PA around Philly, we're totally blacked out of Santa Anita, Laurel, Gulfstream, Tampa Bay, Golden Gate and others.

Well what is fair ? We don't know because neither of these groups will say what they offered and counter-offered. For 95% of the country, it doesn't matter because life goes on as always.

The public gets jammed in this. Maybe I'm naive, but in this age I think that if you are offering a racing product, I should be able to wager on it. I would think you'd want me to wager on it.

We're both on vacation..

I think my last post got lost. I talked about the Parx employees who lost a bunch pre-Christmas. Wait-staff, bartenders and mutuel clerks.

I'm just wondering how much money is involved and being lost now and by whom.

It's been 3+ weeks. If I was running a company and was leaking serious oil, I would find a way to stop the bleeding. Maybe they aren't losing that much out of the Mid-Atl. Maybe the increase in on-track and other sources betting on GP and SA makes it a wash.

Don't know. I'm not optimistic. I think it will be settled by the Preakness. I don't think they'll give up the handle on that race.

I'd like to know who is losing money, besides the people who work at the Parx Turf Clubs. One, or both of the entities have to be losing money on this.

Definitely you need a vacation and a "freshining". You can come back bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

pretty funny a.s.

Looks like NV has a NYRA signal for now.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/...ooks-stay-open

Daruty Questions
 

I've got a few.

1) What is the deal ? What does Monarch want and what is Mid-Atl offering ? Numbers.

2) How much is being lost everyday ? By everybody ? Both sides. Numbers.

3) Isn't this detrimental to the overall product ? Is this detrimental to racing ?

4) Is this going to go on forever ?

Maybe no straight answers to these. but would like to know. Has me all screwed up.

Daruty on ATR Thursday..

I have same questions and hope this gets resolved very soon. My patience is wearing thin.

Agreed. Having zero pulse on what's going on Gulfstream & Santa Anita (my two fave tracks this time of year) is beyond maddening. Something needs to happen, and soon.

Great job by Steve with the interview today. Daruty spelled out many of the specifics and brought up some interesting aspects that have not really been covered. Well worth listening to the podcast when it comes up later today.

Just my interpretation and based on the interview only, this will not be resolved anytime soon.

Since I am not having the issue I haven't been following. Does this issue exist in Vegas?

From what I remember Vegas' problem was with NYRA and at least temporarily has been resolved.

Probably for the tourney. ;)

GL and get 'er done next w/e!

Agree with Nick. Great job Steve !!! These groups do not usually publicly talk numbers, as they are under no obligation to do so. Scott was very up-front and laid it out there pretty plainly.

No, Vegas is unaffected by this particular issue, even though I think they have no contract with Monarch at the moment as well. They are simply showing the signals while they negotiate, which is an offer Monarch extended to the Mid-Atlantic Coop as well.

This is accurate.