PRX up Cotillion to $1 million; Adds to PA Derby Day card

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

They can't even come together to stagger the start times of their own races so they don't overlap with other tracks. Now you want them to come together to schedule/re-schedule what is most likely each tracks signature event? Don't get me wrong, it's a great idea. There are so many things that the sport could do with creating an entire series for 3 year olds that goes for most of the year. Unfortunately this sport we love lacks common sense most of the time.

I agree, but some strides have been made recently (on the post time front).

However, it's a little shocking that Monmouth has opted to keep their 12:50 PM EDT post time even after Belmont moved theirs up to 12:50 as well. That should really help their handle on races 1-4.

[jms62]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

I agree, but some strides have been made recently (on the post time front).

However, it's a little shocking that Monmouth has opted to keep their 12:50 PM EDT post time even after Belmont moved theirs up to 12:50 as well. That should really help their handle on races 1-4.

Listening to Steves show last week he had a Monomouth exec stating that he welecomes the improvement of NYRA product since it is his biggest simulcast generator. And then they can't do something as basic as moving a start time forward or back 5-10 minutes?

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by jms62

Listening to Steves show last week he had a Monomouth exec stating that he welecomes the improvement of NYRA product since it is his biggest simulcast generator. And then they can't do something as basic as moving a start time forward or back 5-10 minutes?

Exactly.

Now, it's not a completely fair comparison because this year was Mother's Day. But, if you compare their handle from the 2nd day of the 2011 meet to the 2nd day of the 2012 meet, they were down 40% despite having a 80% increase in on-track attendance and a 13% increase in on-track handle.

Belmont was down 4% from the same date, prior year on Sunday with a 400k Pick 6 pool last year. But, if you compare Mother's Day to Mother's Day handle, they were up 14%.

Maximizing handle for a place like Monmouth should really be simple. Stay the hell away from Belmont.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

Exactly.

Now, it's not a completely fair comparison because this year was Mother's Day. But, if you compare their handle from the 2nd day of the 2011 meet to the 2nd day of the 2012 meet, they were down 40% despite having a 80% increase in on-track attendance and a 13% increase in on-track handle.

Belmont was down 4% from the same date, prior year on Sunday with a 400k Pick 6 pool last year. But, if you compare Mother's Day to Mother's Day handle, they were up 14%.

Maximizing handle for a place like Monmouth should really be simple. Stay the hell away from Belmont.

This idea might be a bit radical, but if you were en exec at Monmouth, would you consider front loading the cards there? You would think that more players would take a good look and more importantly play an early pick 4 sequance when there is very limited options. Verus having this sequance late in the day and it getting lost, going against tracks like Belmont, Churchill with their Graded races and guaranteed pools.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

This idea might be a bit radical, but if you were en exec at Monmouth, would you consider front loading the cards there? You would think that more players would take a good look and more importantly play an early pick 4 sequance when there is very limited options. Verus having this sequance late in the day and it getting lost, going against tracks like Belmont, Churchill with their Graded races and guaranteed pools.

No, because then you lose the California players. Some simo facilities out there aren't even open until the 4th or 5th race of the day on an "average" day.

Just stagger the damn post times, idiots!

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

I agree, but some strides have been made recently (on the post time front).

However, it's a little shocking that Monmouth has opted to keep their 12:50 PM EDT post time even after Belmont moved theirs up to 12:50 as well. That should really help their handle on races 1-4.

I think it would make sense for Monmouth to move up the opener to 12:15. They would probably have better luck bumping heads versus Parx for 45 minutes versus going head to head against Belmont. That start would also enable them to start their early pick 4, even before Belmont runs their opener.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

I think it would make sense for Monmouth to move up the opener to 12:15. They would probably have better luck bumping heads versus Parx for 45 minutes versus going head to head against Belmont. That start would also enable them to start their early pick 4, even before Belmont runs their opener.

I agree. Most racetrack operators can learn a lesson from the GM at Tampa Bay Downs. His work on their takeout aside, he is absolutely masterful when it comes to having perfect post times. He might have a field sit at the gate for a minute or two to let another race go official or simply to get more in the pool. He will short post some crappier races to get more for a larger field and/or turf race. Most importantly, his first post is not static. The Tampa guys on the board can attest to it better than me, but it seemed like it could range from 12:27 to 12:40 depending on what he knew he'd encounter later in the day.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

I think it would make sense for Monmouth to move up the opener to 12:15. They would probably have better luck bumping heads versus Parx for 45 minutes versus going head to head against Belmont. That start would also enable them to start their early pick 4, even before Belmont runs their opener.

Or 12:30 or 1:00