My Last Belmont

[infield_line]

I post this in the hopes that Steve can share the feedback with NYRA.

Having had the chance to go to Churchill for Oaks, and now to Belmont Park, the contrast between the two could not be more glaring and not flattering to whomever manages Belmont and prepares for the biggest day of the year. While Churchill has an infield, it still serves more people with much more skill and comfort than Belmont Park

At Churchill, they have enough security and access control that if you don't have a ticket for an area, you don't get in. At Belmont, there was absolutely no effort to check anyone's tickets, leaving a chaotic situation where with 15 minutes to post, police had to be summoned to evict seat squatters.

Add to that very limited food choices (hot dog or something they claimed was a Philly Cheesesteak), no apparent plans to restock vending areas that ran out of beer and ice, just not enough vending staff to serve this number of people, half of the ATM's inoperable, non-working escalators, and overflowing toilets. At $10 a beer, they should be able to put 3-4 behind each counter, not 2 hopelessly overworked souls. Oh, and have a beer/water line, and a line for mixed drinks... common sense people.

There was an inexplicable decision to barricade 4 of 6 exit doors on the north end that caused thousands to have to squeeze through two doors after the big race, and a truck parked across the pathway out to parking lot buses creating more difficulty in exiting.

The card was extraordinary and I'm sure that everything was in good order in the Jockey Club, but the experience for the average punter was generally frustrating. I expect rookies on both side of the windows on these days, and there appeared to be sufficient staffing for wagering, but pretty much every other part of the experience was a fail and I will not go back on Belmont Day.

Sorry if this sounds like grousing... but The Belmont is part of a national institution, and in my opinion NYRA needs to raise their game a lot.

[freddymo]

NYRA addressed theses things with the hiring of a Chief Experience Officer a few weeks ago so they know things need to be cleaned up.

I had a blast. All of what you say is fairly accurate the building is a dinosaur and the hospitality leaves a lot to the imagination. The building needs to be blown up and rebuilt but save that they will need a major commitment of capital to truly make things substantially better and i dont see that as a reality. This is kind of why I thought addressing these issues with the hiring of such a figure was premature? Without the money job will be impossible to perform in

[tanner12oz]

I'm with you...it was a really poorly executed day from a fan perspective...i highly doubt your going to get many casual fans to come back when they are treated as poorly as was the case yesterday. I understand its hard to account for 100k plus but they had 3weeks and everyone knew that things had the potential to test the limits

positives for me would be traffic entering and exiting via car was simply perfect...security was just fine getting inside..card of course was epic..shuttle getting in was very efficient...parking was a fair price

everything else was pretty bad...i hate to say it but pimlico does a better job year in and out then what nyra put on this year

[freddymo]

I saw nothing but people smiling and having a great time. I really dont think people will be deterred from coming again. The issue is more the place needs a major face lift and not unlike what they did to MSG. Its easily fixed with capital

[Arletta]

Looks like it was a nightmare afterwards too.

http://deadspin.com/leaving-the-belm...ter-1587682934

[infield_line]

My God.... I saw the potential and sprinted to the exit as soon as I saw the finish, luckily sailed out without any issues.

[ninetoone]

Barricading 4 out of 6 exit doors???

[infield_line]

The geniuses had piled confiscated bags and backpacks directly outside of the two doors on the left as you try to exit, and I can't remember why the two on the right were not in use, but the entire crowd was trying to funnel through the two double doors in the center. I asked someone who seemed to be in authority if they wanted a riot.... she just shrugged

[GenuineRisk]

Leaving was a total sh*tshow, and I don't understand why. Every year there is a triple crown on the line, they have about 100,000 people come, and every year Belmont seems to staff for a non-TC Belmont. I know the staff is working hard, and I certainly don't blame the tellers for novice wagerers, but for the love of pete, would it kill them to put four bartenders behind each bar instead of two? Or double the number of people working the concession stands? The lines were out of control (and I can't even where the women's rest rooms were concerned- there were lines over 50 people deep, waiting, by 1PM, when we arrived).

We stayed for the last two races to let the lines drop down a bit on the LIRR (and so a friend who came with us to the racetrack for the very first time ever could have the fun of going down to the rail to watch the races since the crowds had cleared), and when we left, after standing in line still inside the facility (it's a long walk to the trains once you're outside), we were rerouted downstairs because we were told the walkway structure was unsafe. We were given no instructions of where to go once we were outside, and the trains are only reachable via the long walkway on the second floor, so thousands of us ended up at the bottom of stairwells that were fenced off from the walkway, manned by policemen without megaphones so no one could hear anything. We stood there over an hour, until finally, without any information, they started letting people who had ignored their instructions to go downstairs and had stayed on the second floor go over the same walkway they had told us was structurally unsound. They then brought out blowtorches to cut through the fencing closing off the stairwells, and then let us stand there quite a while longer. I was at the last stairwell to be finally allowed to go up to the walkway, then down to a train, where we sat for 40 minutes in the station (or I should say, some of us sat; we were lucky enough to get seats, but many people didn't and stood until Jamaica, so they stood another 40 minutes on a not-moving train). We headed for the exit at 8:30, and finally were permitted onto a train after 10PM. I got home close to midnight, and that was only because the Gods of the subway took pity on my poor tired self and sent a C train to my platform right after I disembarked at Penn Station . Less than an hour out to Belmont, three hours to get back.

And that was only a half hour more than it took to get back from Smarty Jones' TC bid, and that time there was no rerouting downstairs.

On the bright side, my friend who was going for the first time cashed on all but one of her wagers, so she at least was not turned off the whole experience, and does actually want to go back next year.

[tanner12oz]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

Leaving was a total sh*tshow, and I don't understand why. Every year there is a triple crown on the line, they have about 100,000 people come, and every year Belmont seems to staff for a non-TC Belmont. I know the staff is working hard, and I certainly don't blame the tellers for novice wagerers, but for the love of pete, would it kill them to put four bartenders behind each bar instead of two? Or double the number of people working the concession stands? The lines were out of control (and I can't even where the women's rest rooms were concerned- there were lines over 50 people deep, waiting, by 1PM, when we arrived).

We stayed for the last two races to let the lines drop down a bit on the LIRR (and so a friend who came with us to the racetrack for the very first time ever could have the fun of going down to the rail to watch the races since the crowds had cleared), and when we left, after standing in line still inside the facility (it's a long walk to the trains once you're outside), we were rerouted downstairs because we were told the walkway structure was unsafe. We were given no instructions of where to go once we were outside, and the trains are only reachable via the long walkway on the second floor, so thousands of us ended up at the bottom of stairwells that were fenced off from the walkway, manned by policemen without megaphones so no one could hear anything. We stood there over an hour, until finally, without any information, they started letting people who had ignored their instructions to go downstairs and had stayed on the second floor go over the same walkway they had told us was structurally unsound. They then brought out blowtorches to cut through the fencing closing off the stairwells, and then let us stand there quite a while longer. I was at the last stairwell to be finally allowed to go up to the walkway, then down to a train, where we sat for 40 minutes in the station (or I should say, some of us sat; we were lucky enough to get seats, but many people didn't and stood until Jamaica, so they stood another 40 minutes on a not-moving train). We headed for the exit at 8:30, and finally were permitted onto a train after 10PM. I got home close to midnight, and that was only because the Gods of the subway took pity on my poor tired self and sent a C train to my platform right after I disembarked at Penn Station . Less than an hour out to Belmont, three hours to get back.

And that was only a half hour more than it took to get back from Smarty Jones' TC bid, and that time there was no rerouting downstairs.

On the bright side, my friend who was going for the first time cashed on all but one of her wagers, so she at least was not turned off the whole experience, and does actually want to go back next year.

your female friend like going into the mens room with piss cascading out the doors because the girls line was at least 50 yards out the door ?

its hard to be a super hot track babe in conditions like yesterday ..lots pulled it off tthough

[tanner12oz]

Originally Posted by freddymo

I saw nothing but people smiling and having a great time. I really dont think people will be deterred from coming again. The issue is more the place needs a major face lift and not unlike what they did to MSG. Its easily fixed with capital

check out twitter, pa or local papers...doubt those were smiling faces

Yesterdays Belmont Stakes card is a good example of crowd control study. 100k is abnormaly large for a sporting event. Yankee Stadium or MSG can no where hold the many people Belmont can so this was probably a learning experience for future events on what not to do.

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by helicopter11

Yesterdays Belmont Stakes card is a good example of crowd control study. 100k is abnormaly large for a sporting event. Yankee Stadium or MSG can no where hold the many people Belmont can so this was probably a learning experience for future events on what not to do.

But Belmont has this happen every time there is a TC on the line and every time it's understaffed. They are choosing not to learn from it. The best Belmont, in terms of service, I can think of was I'll Have Another's non-run, because 20,000 or so decided last minute not to come, and NYRA's idea of what 100,000+ needed in terms of service was about right for the what, 80,000 who did go. That was a very nice day at Belmont. Yesterday was not.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by tanner12oz

check out twitter, pa or local papers...doubt those were smiling faces

To be fair my track experience is much more controlled because of my experience and ability to procure some things the average fan doesn't have access too. Lots of a
bad stuff, including valid complaints and again we know Belmont is desperately in need of full renovation. Yes I saw the lines, yes there was A LOT of ladies in the Men's room, Yes I saw them run out of beer and yes I went to a concession stand at 1230 pm and they said come back in 45 minutes we have NO FOOD ready. All in all given what they have to work with in infrastructure and the reality that these type crowds are so infrequent it was a friggin blast and a decent job by NYRA

[NTamm1215]

As someone who goes to the Belmont every year, I can assure you that it is always difficult to get out of the place. What added to the problems yesterday was that no one left after the Belmont. It is usually a mass exodus following the Belmont and yesterday absolutely was not.

Handling a crowd that size is nearly impossible, especially when you get it on average of once every 3-4 years. It is nearly impossible to not be understaffed.

Issues with the parking lot and train platform are unfortunate. They also will not take away from the great experience that the vast majority of people had. It's a shame that some people ran into problems and I feel badly for them, but no one should be dissuaded from attending the Belmont because of issues that can be fixed with more planning by new personnel in the future.

[jms62]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

As someone who goes to the Belmont every year, I can assure you that it is always difficult to get out of the place. What added to the problems yesterday was that no one left after the Belmont. It is usually a mass exodus following the Belmont and yesterday absolutely was not.

Handling a crowd that size is nearly impossible, especially when you get it on average of once every 3-4 years. It is nearly impossible to not be understaffed.

Issues with the parking lot and train platform are unfortunate. They also will not take away from the great experience that the vast majority of people had. It's a shame that some people ran into problems and I feel badly for them, but no one should be dissuaded from attending the Belmont because of issues that can be fixed with more planning by new personnel in the future.

Why were there no lessons learned from 2002 and 2008? Isn't it common sense to ask what were the shortcomings in those years and insure they didn't happen again yesterday? Even if new people were in charge there are those that were involved that could give feedback that are still on board. Let's face it they acted like all business and tried to milk every dollar they could by short staffing knowing that people would continue to come when a triple crown is on the line regardless of their prior experience. One lesson I hoped they learned is if they give us great full field stakes racing we will take the rubber band off our bankroll and push it in with both hands. I had 4 heart breaking high 4 figure beats yesterday yet enjoyed the hell out of the day.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by freddymo

I saw nothing but people smiling and having a great time. I really dont think people will be deterred from coming again. The issue is more the place needs a major face lift and not unlike what they did to MSG. Its easily fixed with capital

Well look at you being all positive and nice!

Obviously I wasn't there so cannot comment BUT I will say well done... just a great day of racing.

Any big event has problems and yes, I know, easy to say when I didn't have to experience them but I hope this fantastic day also served as a learning experience and that whatever needs to be addressed and sorted will be so that they do it again next year.

Truly an amazing day!

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by jms62

Why were there no lessons learned from 2002 and 2008? Isn't it common sense to ask what were the shortcomings in those years and insure they didn't happen again yesterday? Even if new people were in charge there are those that were involved that could give feedback that are still on board. Let's face it they acted like all business and tried to milk every dollar they could by short staffing knowing that people would continue to come when a triple crown is on the line regardless of their prior experience. One lesson I hoped they learned is if they give us great full field stakes racing we will take the rubber band off our bankroll and push it in with both hands. I had 4 heart breaking high 4 figure beats yesterday yet enjoyed the hell out of the day.

The place has 300% too much capacity for all but BC Cup days and Belmont stakes day. And simply can not pull off a huge event without a major dose of renovation.

[tanner12oz]

Pimlico has the same archaic facility with the same lack of funds but here's where things differ...i get a survey literally days after the preakness wanting my opinion of where they succeeded and where they failed
..

does Belmont do this? Cuz from what I'm reading its business as usual and they simply don't care...raising the beer $3 Friday vs Saturday was a little over the top.. Prices were far worse then any sporting event I have seen peanuts 5 hotdog 5 beer 10 pretzel 5

[jms62]

Originally Posted by freddymo

The place has 300% too much capacity for all but BC Cup days and Belmont stakes day. And simply can not pull off a huge event without a major dose of renovation.

There were toilet issues in 2008. Why not bring in a boatload of portables? Why have 2 bartenders servicing a food stand or bar when there are 100K people. I hear your point about renovation but you need to look at past failures and create workarounds. It was all about maximizing profitability without regard to customer experience. Did I say it was awesome racing though?