Presque Isle Downs - Nice Purses

[ARyan]

I am looking forward to some of the horses I own part of running there! I don't think the trainer that trains the horses I am a part of is lousy at all StoS, but thanks for the input.

That money is crazy though!

[SentToStud]

Originally Posted by ARyan

I am looking forward to some of the horses I own part of running there! I don't think the trainer that trains the horses I am a part of is lousy at all StoS, but thanks for the input.

That money is crazy though!

You're welcome. No offense meant. If I had horses, I'd run them there. But it's a lousy model for any business.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by SentToStud

But it's a lousy model for any business.

Why do you think that?

[SentToStud]

Originally Posted by Riot

Why do you think that?

I don't think that any business that cannot support itself is a good model. Other people may believe that slot revenue is a part of horse racing. I don't. I think it props up second and third tier racetracks that would not exist otherwise. I would expect horse owners and trainers to say it's all good but I just think there are too many bad racetracks running too many bad horses. Slot machines have proven not to bring new horse race wagerers. In fact, they cannibalize handle. I'm not a fan.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by SentToStud

I don't think that any business that cannot support itself is a good model. Other people may believe that slot revenue is a part of horse racing. I don't. I think it props up second and third tier racetracks that would not exist otherwise. I would expect horse owners and trainers to say it's all good but I just think there are too many bad racetracks running too many bad horses. Slot machines have proven not to bring new horse race wagerers. In fact, they cannibalize handle. I'm not a fan.

So it would be better if there was just a casino and the money that goes to purses could just go to the politicians pet pork projects?

[mes5107]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

So it would be better if there was just a casino and the money that goes to purses could just go to the politicians pet pork projects?

I don't think he said that. I think StS is saying that supplementing purses with slot machine revenue is not a long term solution to draw in new horse racing fans.

Perhaps lowering takeout is more of a solution.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by mes5107

I don't think he said that. I think StS is saying that supplementing purses with slot machine revenue is not a long term solution to draw in new horse racing fans.

Perhaps lowering takeout is more of a solution.

Why would wouldn't this just be considered another revenue stream as opposed to a marketing platform? If you make horseownership more affordable you will attract more new owners who will help grow the game from within.

[SentToStud]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

So it would be better if there was just a casino and the money that goes to purses could just go to the politicians pet pork projects?

If there were "just" casinos, there would be no Presque. There would also be no new racetracks in New Mexico and no new harness tracks in Ontario. It's a joke what the purses are at these places compared to handle. Other than supporting bad horse racing, what single good thing does racing there or at the other slots tracks do for the sport or the bettors? Did racing improve at Woodbine? At Mountaineer? At Gulf? No. Did takeout go down at any of those racetracks? No. It does zero for the bettors, who are the reason why racetracks exist. If you want to cast stones at people who benefit from what I think is a bad concept, don't leave out the horsemen. They are certainly also responsible for creating these artificially high purses for what I consider bad horse racing. As to your question, my answer is I disagree with your premise that these slot macine places would exist without the approval of horsemen. They wouldn't. They shouldn't exist, period. That said, if you are in the business, you can only take what they give you and I certainly have no problem with people getting paid as much as they can. I just think they're bad for racing.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by SentToStud

If there were "just" casinos, there would be no Presque. There would also be no new racetracks in New Mexico and no new harness tracks in Ontario. It's a joke what the purses are at these places compared to handle. Other than supporting bad horse racing, what single good thing does racing there or at the other slots tracks do for the sport or the bettors? Did racing improve at Woodbine? At Mountaineer? At Gulf? No. Did takeout go down at any of those racetracks? No. It does zero for the bettors, who are the reason why racetracks exist. If you want to cast stones at people who benefit from what I think is a bad concept, don't leave out the horsemen. They are certainly also responsible for creating these artificially high purses for what I consider bad horse racing. As to your question, my answer is I disagree with your premise that these slot macine places would exist without the approval of horsemen. They wouldn't. They shouldn't exist, period. That said, if you are in the business, you can only take what they give you and I certainly have no problem with people getting paid as much as they can. I just think they're bad for racing.

You dont think that racing has improved at Mountaineer or Woodbine? You think it is better for competition to come in and get favorable treatment and just let the tracks die because they cant compete without it? I agree that the tracks are not thinking forwardly in terms of doing more for the paying/betting customer. I campaign on a regular basis to track management thoughout the country for this. But a lot of that has to do with state mandated regulation where the state actually controls the pricing (ie.takeout)in an industry. What other industry has to to overcome a regulator that is also a competitor? (Lottery, etc) To say that all slots are doing is proping up an industry is words. I prefer allowing an industry to compete on a more level playingfield with other gambling competitors. It would be like McDonalds not being allowed to sell salads and chicken sandwichs because it started off as a hamburger joint. By allowing the tracks to expand their gambling menus you are benefiting the tracks, the racing industry and all associated businesses.

[Left Bank]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

So it would be better if there was just a casino and the money that goes to purses could just go to the politicians pet pork projects?

It will soon anyway.They always change their minds{Politicians}and when the money gets big,and their budgets are coming up in the red,they will come for your slots money.What they give,they will also take away.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Kimmeastar

It will soon anyway.They always change their minds{Politicians}and when the money gets big,and their budgets are coming up in the red,they will come for your slots money.What they give,they will also take away.

Unfortunate but true