MARKETING CONVERSATIONS: 2 interesting pieces

[Dahoss]

Belmont Park is as female friendly as any other track. Judging it based on Big Brown's Belmont Day isn't exactly fair. Most days aren't like that.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

Belmont Park is as female unfriendly as any other track. Judging it based on Big Brown's Belmont Day isn't exactly fair. Most days aren't like that.

That is the point. I wasn't picking on Belmont in particular, just the notion that racing has done very little to cater to over HALF the population and to market to a group that has been liberated exponentially over the last 40 years.

Belmont is probably better than some tracks but it still a far cry from where it needs to be.

I know that this is far flung, jay, but lets say you somehow had a date. Would you bring that date to Belmont for a day at the races? How about to Arlington? Maybe? Definitely before Belmont even if live racing was dark. Maybe I am asking the wrong person

You have to compare the venue and the experience it creates to the other entertainment competition.

[paulo537]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

That is the point. I wasn't picking on Belmont in particular, just the notion that racing has done very little to cater to over HALF the population and to market to a group that has been liberated exponentially over the last 40 years.

Belmont is probably better than some tracks but it still a far cry from where it needs to be.

I know that this is far flung, jay, but lets say you somehow had a date. Would you bring that date to Belmont for a day at the races? How about to Arlington? Maybe? Definitely before Belmont even if live racing was dark. Maybe I am asking the wrong person

You have to compare the venue and the experience it creates to the other entertainment competition.

Give free or very cheap booze to women at the track.

Do that and gamblers will come.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by paulo537

Give free or very cheap booze to women at the track.

Do that and gamblers will come.

pole dancers on the quarter pole's?

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

That is the point. I wasn't picking on Belmont in particular, just the notion that racing has done very little to cater to over HALF the population and to market to a group that has been liberated exponentially over the last 40 years.

Belmont is probably better than some tracks but it still a far cry from where it needs to be.

I know that this is far flung, jay, but lets say you somehow had a date. Would you bring that date to Belmont for a day at the races? How about to Arlington? Maybe? Definitely before Belmont even if live racing was dark. Maybe I am asking the wrong person

You have to compare the venue and the experience it creates to the other entertainment competition.

This was a nice touch. Don't forget to take your meds tonight.

For someone who dishes it out nonstop, you certainly can't take it very well. Then again, frauds usually get mad when their bulls.hit gets called.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

That is the point. I wasn't picking on Belmont in particular, just the notion that racing has done very little to cater to over HALF the population and to market to a group that has been liberated exponentially over the last 40 years.
Belmont is probably better than some tracks but it still a far cry from where it needs to be.

I know that this is far flung, jay, but lets say you somehow had a date. Would you bring that date to Belmont for a day at the races? How about to Arlington? Maybe? Definitely before Belmont even if live racing was dark. Maybe I am asking the wrong person

You have to compare the venue and the experience it creates to the other entertainment competition.

Dala, I don't understand your point. So if Belmont re-did all the ladies bathrooms, women would flock to the track? What kind of marketing strategy would you propose if you were Belmont?

For the record, I have taken my wife to Belmont when we were dating. I would have actually chosen to take her there over both Old Yankee and Shea stadiums. You want to talk about broken toilets and bad food.
I think Belmont it is a beatiful facility. I want to take the boys their some time soon.

Regardless, it's NY and the entertainment options are endless. Not sure you are really grasping that based on that you really weren't sure who had more horse folk either Kentucky or NY. It's a very tough market for targeting men, let alone women.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

Dala, I don't understand your point. So if Belmont re-did all the ladies bathrooms, women would flock to the track? What kind of marketing strategy would you propose if you were Belmont?

For the record, I have taken my wife to Belmont when we were dating. I would have actually chosen to take her there over both Old Yankee and Shea stadiums. You want to talk about broken toilets and bad food.
I think Belmont it is a beatiful facility. I want to take the boys their some time soon.

Regardless, it's NY and the entertainment options are endless. Not sure you are really grasping that based on that you really weren't sure who had more horse folk either Kentucky or NY. It's a very tough market for targeting men, let alone women.

Thanks Math. "redid ladies bathrooms". LOL that would be a start and I'm not kidding either. And there is nothing wrong with what Paolo said either. How about some drinks?

How about some entertainment other than racing? How about going old school and encouraging more A list celebs? How about changing the food? How about using some of the wasted stands space and creating more comfortable lounge areas where people can socialize? How about contests between races? How about some vouchers for women?

There are a number of ideas and not a single silver bullet. At the same time, even though NY is not louisville, you have a rich thoroughbred tradition along a zillion times more people. The prospect of spending the day or evening at the track has got be made interesting to people that aren't yet horseplayers. Isn't that the goal?

How about stripper poles and an area where clowns make balloon animals for kids?

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

How about stripper poles and an area where clowns make balloon animals for kids?

Can there be face painting also?

Originally Posted by Dahoss

Can there be face painting also?

YES! Brilliant!

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

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

How about some entertainment other than racing? How about going old school and encouraging more A list celebs? How about changing the food? How about using some of the wasted stands space and creating more comfortable lounge areas where people can socialize? How about contests between races? How about some vouchers for women?

This is getting ridiculous. You basically want to turn Belmont into a nightclub. That's not going to increase handle significantly and it would be a massive investment for maybe a marginal increase in attendance.

Selling this ambiance bullshit for a track that's basically in the sticks compared to New York City is a ridiculous idea.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

This is getting ridiculous. You basically want to turn Belmont into a nightclub. That's not going to increase handle significantly and it would be a massive investment for maybe a marginal increase in attendance.

Selling this ambiance bullshit for a track that's basically in the sticks compared to New York City is a ridiculous idea.

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.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

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.

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.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Thanks Math. "redid ladies bathrooms". LOL that would be a start and I'm not kidding either. And there is nothing wrong with what Paolo said either. How about some drinks?

How about some entertainment other than racing? How about going old school and encouraging more A list celebs? How about changing the food? How about using some of the wasted stands space and creating more comfortable lounge areas where people can socialize? How about contests between races? How about some vouchers for women?

There are a number of ideas and not a single silver bullet. At the same time, even though NY is not louisville, you have a rich thoroughbred tradition along a zillion times more people. The prospect of spending the day or evening at the track has got be made interesting to people that aren't yet horseplayers. Isn't that the goal?

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.

[Cannon Shell]

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

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

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 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.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

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