They really pay for their own whips??? Must not be that expensive if some jockeys keep throwing them to kids in the crowd before going in the winners circle.

Those aren't kids...that is the underprivledged jockey section. The winning jockey is just donating the whip to one of his hard luck peers.

Excellent points. However, are you sure you want to confuse rantings and ravings with your logic and facts. LOL.

Eric

Andy, this is the real issue -- should the jocks have to pay for tickets? Should they have to pay for tickets for their wives and children? That's all. Reacting to their reaction is deflection and noise, that's all. As far as blame, big picture, that's a seperate issue. In this case, this would have happened regardless of who was leading the Guild.

Eric

From what I understand they cant even sell the place out, seems a little weak to me that they are not getting complimentary tickets in that case based on what they have done the prior 23 years.

That is another thread in itself. The BC has completely lost it with the ticket pricing and the public is answering loud and clear. Whomever thought that people would spend $200+ per seat to allow them to sit out in the elements (in late Oct. on the Jersey shore) on the apron should be fired. It is way too easy in this day and age to stay home, snuggle up to your favorite ADW and avoid the on track mess of parking, wagering lines and overpriced concessions.

I have no clue as to how the money (tickets, concessions and wagering) is split up amongst the entities involved, but one would think it would be smarter to have reasonable ticket prices in order to sell the place out and get the money through the windows.

When I went to the Breeder's Cup in 2003 at Santa Anita, I just walked in. I didn't pre order any tickets like you guys.....I'm confused as to all these expensive ticket prices.

It was the only Breeder's Cup I've been to and I don't remember what I payed to get in...but it couldn't have been that much.

Five years is a long time. I haven't looked back through my stuff to see how much tickets used to be, but I regularly used to buy 4 seats even though it was only my brother and I going (elbow room, esp. on those CD bleachers) and if they were anywhere near what they are now, I would've only bought two.

I think a lot has to do with the size of venue. The bigger places usually have cheaper pricing because they have more tickets to sell. Monmouth being smaller has a limited number of seats for the event and a limited number of GA tickets. That said, someone overestimated how many people were willing to leave their home (as well as their computer and HD TV) to pay these prices. Otherwise, there wouldn't be tickets still available and others being sold for under face value. The track is less than 2 hours (some of you locals can help me with that) from the most populated city in the US for crying out loud.

You want a packed house. It looks good on TV (for the sport of horse racing in general) and it's good for the on track handle.

For what it's worth..Looking at my old BC Tix..

'92 Gulfstream First Level Apron Box : $50.00
'99 Gulfstream: Grandstand :$95.00
'02 AP: Apron Box (equivelant to '92 GS) : $140.00
'03 SA: Res Grandstand ( equiv to '99 GS) $125.00
'04 LS: Upper Stretch Bleachers :$75.00
'06 CD Get me in the door tix $35.00

Mike,
It's around 1hour:40 mins from Penn Station in NY to Monmouth. Where I am I have to add another 40 mins, and anyone on the Island a little more

agree 100 %. just like for super bowl players and family get free tickets.
so should jocks and family.

A lot to do about nothing.. Tell me who is charging Prado for parking? Inane BS

Well I know they charge riders for extra tickets beyond the two comps, at santa anita the tickets I had got via a rider, granted good seats in some temporary tables at the finish line were $275.