Can there be face painting also?

YES! Brilliant!

Wynn and Trump will be begging for a piece of the action!!

Welcome back Coach!:eek:

You know what happened.

I do remember the time Chuck called you out and you went away, emasculated, with your tail between your legs.

I don't judge you though and I am certainly not angry. I just don't let you bully me with your scare tactics. I do admit that I was a little freaked out the night you sent the PM's.

So talk about meds or marys or whatever you choose but you know exactly what happened.

Here is the list of other things going on at the track (during weekends), they seem pretty plentiful. Also there are things for kids too.

http://nyra.com/Belmont/GeneralInfor...omotions.shtml

I don't see the appeal of drawing celebrities (besides they draw them on Belmont day). If you want to see stars, go to the movies or even better Hollywood.

Have you ever been to Belmont?, (I'm guessing no) because it's colassal. They have more space than they know what to do with. There are plenty of area's where people can hang out and not be bothered (inside and outside the track). Food courts could always be upgraded, but they also have fancy/formal dining options upstairs.

Contests are fun, they should be of the handicapping nature, but I'm all for that. Also vouchers are a great idea. Hell I think they should give them out wherever they can. Unfortunately I think that there is an old law on the books that prohibits it.

Belmont is in a very tough market, there are just so many other entertainment options available. No matter how hard they push, I just don't see them attracting that "Sex in the City" type girl crowd, with their fancy eating/drinking habits on a regular basis.

I think the whole premise of the guys blog post is being missed.

How do you know its marginal joey and what is marginal in your mind? There was a time when poker was in backrooms and seedy speak easy's. There was a time on the strip where you couldn't find the poker room. Now? Its front and center and larger than the sportsbook.

Stronach was dead on with his ideas if not perfect with his execution.

Wait, so I sent threatening pm's to you? Is that what you are implying?

Wow....that's crazy...even for you. Again, Steve can certainly verify I have done nothing of the sort.

I guess when you are desperate, just flat out lying about stuff allows you to save some face in that bi polar mind of yours.

It's funny though, I remember the Chuck situation (what was it, 3 or 4 years ago, obsessed much?) and him and I discussed it. We seem to have gotten past it, might be time for you to. I seem to remember your take on it was a lot different than it was now though. Weird how that works.

Quite a performance today. You should be proud.

I have been to belmont a few times. I have been on less busy days (jcgc 2004) and really busy days (smarty 2004). I am not picking on belmont in particular.

Perhaps you are correct and Belmont isn't going to enjoy the type of success churchill has shown recently although I disagree. At the same time, there are other places that could do the same things as churchill and even expand on them. I think you have advantages at other places, seasonally, that you don't enjoy at churchill.

leave it alone belmont is fine just the way it is..and toga should never be changed..its the reason ny racing is the best in the world

So poker is thriving because of A-list celebrities, trendy lounges, good food and contests between hands?

No, poker is thriving because the industry sold the idea that regular people can make money at it. Period. All this other fluff you're suggesting would be useless to poker and it's useless to racing. Gambling drives this industry and it's only an increase in gambling that's going to 'save' it.

The idea that Belmont Park could become a trendy social destination for regular people and young women is so laughable it makes me wonder if you've ever been to either Belmont or New York City.

I was in New York City in April to get my hat for the derby. I did not go to belmont then but I have been a few times before.

As I said, perhaps these ideas wouldn't work at belmont but then again maybe they would.

I don't debate that gambling drives the industry and I certainly don't debate that the tracks need more gamblers. But where are you proposing they come from Joey? We are in 2011 in a society that wants what it wants before its even thought about. We are in an instant gratification age and you aren't going to get gamblers out by telling them they are going to solve puzzles while battling a 25% rake where its dirty and they are surrounded by bunch of old men.

The track is a dreary place and that is the perception and in many ways a reality. This has to change somehow. If you think what I am saying is off, throw your thoughts out. Perhaps they make more sense.

This is a problem, changing the perception.
Sure, there are some tracks that are dreay places. But on the other end of the spectrum, there are very nice tracks that have good facilities. Places where people and their families/friends can spend a nice day.

As far as getting the gamblers, I really believe that the tracks need to (and have started) targeting the college kids. Plant those seeds, so when these kids graduate and get jobs, they remember their expierences at the track and go back with some cash to put into the pools.

I'm not a marketing expert, but just throwing out terrible ideas doesn't strike me as progress. Just like poker, you have to sell the idea that regular people can make money playing the game. Sell the idea that it's way more exciting, involved and gratifying than mindless zombies pulling a slot lever over and over again. Unfortunately with slots becoming such a big part of the industry, it might not make sense to bash them in ad campaigns, but playing the horses is a unique game with something for everybody: the majesty of incredible animals running at high speeds, being able to spend the day outdoors, an intellectual challenge, plenty of juice during the actual race and big paydays if you play things correctly.

Poker had the luxury of being on TV and having the announcers/coverage actually be focused on the game and the gambling. Unfortunately, all of our national TV coverage is based on weepy-eyed BS, human interest stories and celebrity spotting. Until the coverage is more horseplayer-based, the industry is going to be fighting an uphill battle to attract new gamblers.

we need more rastas ..they light the place up 'wayyyah to wayah mon"

wut the blood clot(h)

Yes there are nice tracks and even those places are dreary on a thursday afternoon in early july or late december. I went to the NCAA football championship in 2010. I went to Santa Anita before the game. There were like 17 people there. That place is gorgeous but it was pretty darn dreary. What a wasted opportunity. Two miles down the road is one the biggest games of the year if not the decade and they can't find away to piggy back.

Racing is way out of fashion. It doesn't have to be that way. We have great meets and major events still to build on. It won't always be that way though.

Lol

Alright, I will stfu.

Welcome back coach.

People have to work, so you really can't expect crowds during the week (with exception of Saratoga & Del Mar). That's where tracks could do a better job. Come up with some sort of daily contest on the internet. Have the signal out there for people to watch and play in these contests for free (i.e. Keenland & Monmouth) and hope that translates into more people watching, eventually betting and visiting a track.

Maybe more twiglight cards during the spring/summer might be a good idea as well.

Yeah and then the trainers and jockeys will b.itch about the inability to move training to daylight hours.

Good luck with your passion for the sport, fellas. The economy speaks volumes and horse racing has really no shot to grow in this environment...trendy gimmicks included.