Quote:
Originally Posted by Easy Goer Otis
Hardly any trainers based there anymore, due to contract uncertainties, lockouts and pathetic prize money (even compared to nearby Indiana and Prairie Meadows). Canterbury Park's resurgence sure to lure more midwestern-based barns away.
Also, the Illinois breeding industry is nearly extinct as a direct consequence of AP's decline. This will not help field sizes in the future.
The resulting product is tough to watch. I go there often, as I live 10 minutes away. But I rarely bet the AP card, as it is virtually impossible to find any value. I'm usually watching the simos from Belmont or Kentucky.
Still one of the nicest track facilities on the planet. Wish I could put some horses up there, but it makes no financial or strategic sense. We run our All-Weather horses at PID and Woodbine because purses are much more attractive and the trainers can operate in a more stable environment.
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Everything Otis says is spot on. CDI creates such an aura of contention between Horseman and the Track that it's almost like they don't want them there. And people show up..if the weather is good. They had three straight days of 25,000+ opening weekend despite
$16 admission for Derby Day and Mother's Day. Unfortunately Levy Concessions benefits more than Horseman as the Handles just don't reflect those attendance figures because the well dressed ( Derby Day) and the Well Heeled ( Mother's Day) would much rather spend $80 on 4 rounds of beer and bet $2WPS on the favorite than try and put together a Pick 4, etc.
And let's not even bring the hypocrisy of the State of Illinois regarding gambling into this conversation. Attempt after attempt to legalize Slots at tracks gets stuck in legislature or is vetoed the one time it actually did pass, yet I can pass three separate bars/lounges with slot machines on my way to the track. While they are most likely a band aid and not a long term solution, and while I have complete faith that CDI would find a way to pocket more money in proportion to increasing purses, a level playing field is far from the norm here.
That being said, it is an incredible facility...at least before you get to the back stretch...and with 70s and sunny weather forecast the beer trucks will be lined up to deliver the beer, the place will be hopping and the shrill cheers of someone celebrating winning $3.20 on a 1-2 Rivelli 9 year old will fill the grounds all weekend long.