New sheriff in town in Saratoga

[pmacdaddy]

Originally Posted by Cardus

I understand that NYRA is giving away Alabama baseball caps next Sunday. (I am assuming that these are Alabama Stakes hats, and not University of Alabama hats.)

Can you get me one... or three, please?

Sure thing! I plan to bring a $100 bill and load myself up like a pack mule.

[TheSpyder]

I think the best giveaway is a voucher. That way you bring people that will play the ponies.

[johnny pinwheel]

it used to be bad if you had to wait to get in. the line sometimes goes down the street. if you are there to play horses, it sucks. i know alot of people that used to avoid sundays. but in recent years they put an admission window in with no give away. its great, you pay 3 bucks and walk in. the morons that go through the turnstiles dozens of times and then go home before the second race is off, ruin it. how does the track benefit from this anyway?

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

I think the best giveaway is a voucher. That way you bring people that will play the ponies.

Was a popular promotion for years in NY. But then was disallowed by the State Racing & Wagering Board.

[3kings]

Originally Posted by Cardus

I understand that NYRA is giving away Alabama baseball caps next Sunday. (I am assuming that these are Alabama Stakes hats, and not University of Alabama hats.)

Can you get me one... or three, please?

You can just buy one of the thousand that will be on e-bay next Sunday before the last race even goes off.

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

I think the best giveaway is a voucher. That way you bring people that will play the ponies.

Originally Posted by Kasept

Was a popular promotion for years in NY. But then was disallowed by the State Racing & Wagering Board.

Popular here as well. In terms of marketing metrics, it was one of our best responses.

[johnny pinwheel]

Originally Posted by Kasept

Was a popular promotion for years in NY. But then was disallowed by the State Racing & Wagering Board.

i did not know about this. when did that happen? a couple years ago saratoga harness sent me one in the mail. you had to be at the sunday mantinee on the date it said and my voucher went in and was worth a 100 bucks. i loved that promotion why did they ban it? of course i used the 100 to bet the simulcasts throughbreds but its a great promotion for folks that actually play the horses!

[angelasapproved]

I am very disappointed to hear that the rose girls will not be back after so many years. I've purchased roses from them in the past and found this a delightful service to offer the racing fan. What NYRA may not understand is many folks as I, don't wager a lot of money, I'm there for the experience. The rose girls added to the Saratoga Experience depicting the Victorian era of style. Possibly NYRA may not understand their customer base that walks through the gates year after year. Can anyone tell me if floral product will be sold track-side?

Originally Posted by scat daddy

Expect to see changes around the track as a new hire from Kentucky has many current employees and vendors on notice. Gone this year are the Rose babes that have walked the grounds in Victorian style dresses for the past 15 years. All vendors with booths as you first walk in will soon follow.

While several attempts have been made to meet with NYRA they have given the cold shoulder to the rose vendor and others. The only response from the "Justice" was we are changing the look of the backyard and entrance to Saratoga? Sounds like more good people have no job during these difficult times.

And finally the word is that this is the final year of the giveway's at Saratoga. It may still offer great racing, but it looks like the "justice" is being allowed to come in and do what she wants regardless of tradition and care for the help that has been in place for several years.

Scat

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by johnny pinwheel

i did not know about this. when did that happen? a couple years ago saratoga harness sent me one in the mail. you had to be at the sunday mantinee on the date it said and my voucher went in and was worth a 100 bucks. i loved that promotion why did they ban it? of course i used the 100 to bet the simulcasts throughbreds but its a great promotion for folks that actually play the horses!

JP,

Maybe 4 years ago? And in an explanation to those opposed to the giveaways, for years you would register yourself for NYRA mailings by putting your name and address on the back of the giveaway vouchers. It was part of the base of NYRA's mailing list. Then, when Saratoga approached, you'd get the seasonal mailing with the summer schedule and ticket info and there would be the 'Surprise Voucher' enclosed with it. It was worth $2, $5 or $25 and was super popular.

When RWB started to wield their intrusive hand on every single detail of the running of the racetrack during the upheaval period, the Surprise Voucher disappeared along with Clubhouse Exchange Coupons, Admission Day Passes, Seasonal Passes for jockey/trainer wives/family and public access to the Oklahoma Training Track.

[31lengths]

Originally Posted by dellinger63

we're probably talking about the same guy. lol

I think that same old guy was at Tampa Bay Downs last year and I ALMOST mugged him for his red hat......

[alphanumeric1]

Originally Posted by Kasept

JP,
When RWB started to wield their intrusive hand on every single detail of the running of the racetrack during the upheaval period, the Surprise Voucher disappeared along with Clubhouse Exchange Coupons, Admission Day Passes, Seasonal Passes for jockey/trainer wives/family and public access to the Oklahoma Training Track.

By far, the biggest enemies of racing at Saratoga are rainy weather and the State Racing and Wagering Board. (maybe we could add the Schenectady Gazette to the list this year also).

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by alphanumeric1

By far, the biggest enemies of racing at Saratoga are rainy weather and the State Racing and Wagering Board. (maybe we could add the Schenectady Gazette to the list this year also).

I look at the negative editorial under the "bad news is good news" umbrella. I'm sure a few or more families learned about the offer via the editorial and will now attend the races.

My understanding is that they will still be allowed for now to operate at the main gate in a tent. it is a bad decision with a no win win. Why she went after this vendor is a mystery but you can rest assured all vendors should keep an eye out for she will be making rounds and evaluating food vendors too and cutting as she sees fit.
How long it last ??? only lady Justice could answer..

Scat

Originally Posted by angelasapproved

I am very disappointed to hear that the rose girls will not be back after so many years. I've purchased roses from them in the past and found this a delightful service to offer the racing fan. What NYRA may not understand is many folks as I, don't wager a lot of money, I'm there for the experience. The rose girls added to the Saratoga Experience depicting the Victorian era of style. Possibly NYRA may not understand their customer base that walks through the gates year after year. Can anyone tell me if floral product will be sold track-side?

[freddymo]

Not having giveaways is a really BAD idea. Steve hire some rose type girls to hand out free samples of BBQ. Make sure you hook me up with BBQ that is.. I will say that the blanket day a few years ago was a nitemare as it took like an hour to get into the track, but they fixed that right..

I dont know why a jam packed racetrack isn't always a good thing Fats? We realize that you like to cycle on your "rascal" thru Brooklyn head to Luger's in Williamsburg at 12:30 grab a Porterhouse for 2 with creme spinach and a piece of apple strudel and some shlag and stuff your face in front of the computer and TVG. But some of us need a little sunshine and eye candy for lunch.