Met Mile, other stakes moved to Belmont Day

[cmorioles]

Any guesses on the percentage of increase in ticket prices for Belmont day?

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

Any guesses on the percentage of increase in ticket prices for Belmont day?

I have annually had seats about 50 yards from the finish line (preferred grandstand) for $120; I wouldn't mind them going to $150, given the "enhanced customer experience" by the reconfigured stakes schedule. Anything more than that would probably be excessive. As recently as 2004, these same seats went for only $60.

I've always viewed Belmont Stakes ticket prices this way: when there is no Triple Crown on the line, I'm overpaying for the seat relative to demand; however, when a Triple Crown is on the line, I'm underpaying for the seat relative to demand. So long as there is a Triple Crown try once every four years, it all tends to even out.

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

I have annually had seats about 50 yards from the finish line (preferred grandstand) for $120; I wouldn't mind them going to $150, given the "enhanced customer experience" by the reconfigured stakes schedule. Anything more than that would probably be excessive. As recently as 2004, these same seats went for only $60.

I've always viewed Belmont Stakes ticket prices this way: when there is no Triple Crown on the line, I'm overpaying for the seat relative to demand; however, when a Triple Crown is on the line, I'm underpaying for the seat relative to demand. So long as there is a Triple Crown try once every four years, it all tends to even out.

I understand your point of view. I'll be surprised if they only go up that much. We'll see. As a person mostly interested in betting, I'd never pay that much to be at any racing event, but that is just me. NYRA should charge whatever the market will bear.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

I understand your point of view. I'll be surprised if they only go up that much. We'll see. As a person mostly interested in betting, I'd never pay that much to be at any racing event, but that is just me. NYRA should charge whatever the market will bear.

I bet they increase 50%

[DaTruth]

Will it really add that much to the Belmont Day experience for the card to now include the Met Mile, Phipps, and Acorn? If anything, I think it will diminish the fans' appreciation of some of the stakes run that day. I'm not advocating for a return to the days when important stakes would be bookended by mere allowance races, but this move falls into the category of too much of a good thing.

[3kings]

This appears to be "halfway to the Breeders Cup card". it could turn out great if the weather is good and they get huge fields. Since NYRA got screwed out of the BC rotation this appears their chance to generate huge interest and handle, while keeping more of the money. It might even get people to campaign their horses earlier in the year, thus making the final races at Saratoga vs. the Breeders Cup.

[RockHardTen1985]

What a great day of racing. Right away Im as excited for this as I am for Derby day.

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by 3kings

This appears to be "halfway to the Breeders Cup card". it could turn out great if the weather is good and they get huge fields. Since NYRA got screwed out of the BC rotation this appears their chance to generate huge interest and handle, while keeping more of the money. It might even get people to campaign their horses earlier in the year, thus making the final races at Saratoga vs. the Breeders Cup.

I think this might also be a way of having a BC like day in NY in the warmth June instead of November which had concerned some people as a possibility. Unless it's the end of days, we're not gonna have that problem.

[kp319]

Belmont Stakes day was already great. They should have left met mile where it was.

[keithting]

What's wrong with an allowance race here and there?