Churchill 10$ Admission
 

For the joy of watching night racing. Fan friendly Churchill. Puhleeze.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...y-night-lights

That does seem short sighted. What percentage of people go to the track and spend less than $10 through the windows? It's gotta be small.

If it weren't for the derby CDI would be a penny stock.

This is the same track that makes you pay $5 when you go outside, from the Matt Winn dining room. After you have paid $20+ for a smallish buffet that would be comped at a casino.
They nickel and dime the player to death, all the while taking 20% of everything you gamble. It pisses me off everytime I make the trip up to CD(or any track). They wonder why everyone is running to the casinos instead of the track.
I wonder how us horseplayers would be treated if CD had Slots??:rolleyes:

Buy a KEEP card for $15, free admission at all KY tracks all year (other than Oaks/Derby days.)

Not that it justifies CDI's bad judgement on this subjuct, but wasn't the on track handle per person incredibly low for their Friday night cards last spring?

Well here's a bright idea. If the on-track handle was low why don't they construct a nightclub in that gigantic facility?

I know why. Because they are lazy, overpaid douchenozzles. They are a shining example of why this country is on the brink of collapse.

Don't even get me started on what they charge for those days. Silly. You should encourage people to come.

On Derby Day?? Have you been to one? They should encourage people to stay home because it is a madhouse

General Admission at the BC this year was $10

Fair enough on those days but I can't see general admission to the track normally being expensive. Especially with a general track population which is aged to say the least.

I have to admit when I saw that charge last year, it angered me (they did $10 the first night, and $6 for the other 2). However, if you had a TSC card it was still $1. I can complain so much about Churchill because they treat the average bettor terribly, and they don't ever seemed concerned about that. Having said that, the night racing last spring was electric. They created a very exciting, and wonderful experience. Granted it wasn't all about the racing, but it was a nice balance. Having travelled throughout the country, it was one of the most unique experiences I've had at a race track. It was a nightclub race track. Whether that can be sustained, I'm not sure (If they get a rainy night I think that won't help). They may have hit on something though. It wasn't a night for the diehard bettors, it was a night for newbies. As a veteran though, I loved the enthusiasm and Churchill did an outstanding job creating that night. It reminded me of what they created in the infield for the Derby, The Infield Club was different, interesting, and a good experience.

Handle was up huge, not sure about per person.

FYI all Hollywood Park is $10 every day, so I don't see the hate for CD charging ten bucks for this. Especially considering they are allowing KEEP cards in for free.

Arlington is $8 to get in, because it is more about the atmosphere then it is the betting. The place is packed Friday/Saturday/Sunday at that $8 fee

$10 for general admission seems like a bit too much. I think a good idea would be give out a betting voucher even if it's for $2. Plus I would make sure to have employees around who could teach people how to reach the past performances and how to make a bet.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/107613.html

I'm no Scav, but I read this as attendance being up 400% and handle only going up 250%.

It makes sense. The hardcore gamblers are going to wager no matter what time of day. The extra people that came to the track for the night cards are not the hardcore gamblers so they don't push the same amount through the windows as the people that are normally gambling on the daytime Friday cards.

CDI figures, if they don't want to gamble, we'll get them for a sawbuck as they come through the turnstyle.

It's still waaay cheaper than other friday night entertainment alternatives.

Its not an admission fee, it is a "cover charge"

That probably why its closing. $10 to see that crap, when you can zip down to Manhattan Beach and get all the tacos you can eat for $5 at Sharkys?

$2 admission to Oaklawn, but I usually get in free with a pass I get from my local legislator. Members of the legislature get passes to give to their consituents. I write for one every year which reminds me that I need to do that this month. $2 for parking in Oaklawns lots. Private lots are anywhere from $5 to $20 depending on how close they are to the track and which day of the week. And yes, I have bitched about even this small amount; however, I had a feeling that us Oaklawn regulars were getting by very easy compared to other venues. Actually, my favorite time to go to the track is during the simulcast season, when I can park across the street for nothing and there is no admission charge.

I wouldnt miss the Derby for anything short of friggin nieces Bat Mitzvah..bitch...Madhouse? its friggin awesome

I am not complaining, I love it, but alot of people hate it. I just need to upgrade seats that is all, I always get the new tellers area and I want to reach through the window and punch them repeatly..

"Pick three What? Part/Wheel, what is a part wheel"

$10 for general admission seems like a bit too much.

We wonder why the new players are going to casino's that charge zero to get in ??????????

Many times I have seen that the price of admission is the differance from going home a winner or loser.

The race track doesn't stand a chance of attracting a future crowd with the casino's taking there business. The new lights with $10 admission + parking will only be a flash in the pan.

Didn't CD post that the people that came out for it's experimental Friday nights didn't push much through the windows those nights, were more of the party-drinking crowd? I'd imagine that's why they are trying to recoup money via admission.

That said, Twin Spires members, horseplayers, etc. need to get in free. I was shocked Keeneland went to $5 admission this fall for everyone.

people bash NYRA but they are the best. 3 bucks everyday, parking free or perferred 5 bucks. 5 bucks admission on travers day. twilight cards, happy hour specials half price. at least they are trying. these other tracks are stupid and doing the oppisite of what is needed. as mentioned by posters here the track is in competition with other gambling. you go to casinos and drinks flow for free. what do these tracks try to do to compete . they raise the costs for patrons through admissions and take out in some cases. its just amazing. then the recent craze in the "polycrap" that avid horseplayers know changes the game. instead of encouraging new fans and old ones they are chasing them away. whats going on ? i went to pimlico to see the preakness parking was 75 bucks in one lot and 45 in another. then they have the nerve to wonder why there might be no more preakness there. do these people that run these tracks even know whats going on. the economy is bad and there is other games in town, you might want to encourage business before its too late. then again maybe i'm the one thats wrong, but, i'm a customer of these tracks so i can't be. i guess thats not the way these tracks run. i'm just the stupid guy that will bet on anything so its like drugs. charge them whatever we can they will pay they are hooked gamblers. that seems to be the attitude and it sucks!!!!!!

Correct, most of the people that attend during night racing are not going for the same reason you and I are. That said, it is a fantastically fun night - just hope you don't like any horses that Calvin is on because they all bet on him if they do bet.

:tro:
NYRA rocks! So glad to live here and follow this wonderful product.
Half priced Happy Hour Specials? At Saratoga? I must have missed that but I rarely got to the track on Friday's this past summer so that was probably why.

everytime they run friday twilight, its great. you should go then, i'm telling you. theres a band after the last race and people hang out. i'll admit theres alot of partying going on, but who cares people are having fun not getting robbed and its the most successful venue for horse racing bar none in this country. you can go in there friday night with 50 bucks and have the time of your life. that sells to families, partiers and of course the people that actually bet. the last friday was that big pick 6 carryover, the weather was nice and the place was rockin. they should stop worrying about what each person bets. get them to like the place first, they will come back. if you fleece them at the "door", its a lost cause.

I had no idea they had bands there Friday nights. :eek:
Thats awesome. I'll have to make it a point to go more often on Friday afternoons.

yeah, but they only have the specials (happy hour) on those two twilight days. the first race is at like 230 or something. i think they just added another friday, opening four days early. i don't know if it will be "twilight " racing.