Twighlight racing at Saratoga

Gander · #1 07-17-2006, 09:09 PM

http://www.nyra.com/saratoga/second.asp?track=S&id=2116

I guess they are going to give it a shot at Saratoga. Interesting they pick the least busiest weekend of the meet to try it, but at least they are doing something to add a little variety. Which poster on here mentioned this many times, hmmmm?

randallscott35 · #2 07-17-2006, 09:14 PM

Talked to Nader for 40 minutes at the contest this weekend. Everything from the twilight racing to the bidding process to the detention barn. Good stuff. I love the idea of a twilight card at Toga. Why not, right? Its one Friday. Its been a huge success at Belmont. Increased att. and handle.

2 Dollar Bill · #3 07-18-2006, 08:06 AM

Sounds like a fantastic idea, lets just hope the afternoon T-Showers hold off..LOL

Gander · #4 07-18-2006, 08:06 AM

Yes for now its one of the six Fridays and since they picked by far the least crowded one.

I realize, as one of the posters on here brought up, that the restaurants in Saratoga depend on people getting out of the track at the traditional 5:30-6pm time, so this could potentially pose a problem as Friday is the 2nd most popular night to go out to eat.

But what about Travers Day? Always seems like the final race doesnt go off until close to 7, sometimes after 7 if I remember right. So Travers Day very much conflicts with restaurants schedules that night.

I am a big fan of the twiglight racing. Anything to change it up a bit. Not everybody can whisk themselves out of work early every Friday. Only makes sense to me as a great portion of the betting public work for a living.

Kasept · #5 07-18-2006, 08:35 AM

If people like and are excited about the Twinighter at the Spa, they should acknowledge and thank our own "BTW" who is largely responsible for making it happen...

blackthroatedwind · #6 07-18-2006, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gander

Yes for now its one of the six Fridays and since they picked by far the least crowded one.

I realize, as one of the posters on here brought up, that the restaurants in Saratoga depend on people getting out of the track at the traditional 5:30-6pm time, so this could potentially pose a problem as Friday is the 2nd most popular night to go out to eat.

But what about Travers Day? Always seems like the final race doesnt go off until close to 7, sometimes after 7 if I remember right. So Travers Day very much conflicts with restaurants schedules that night.

I am a big fan of the twiglight racing. Anything to change it up a bit. Not everybody can whisk themselves out of work early every Friday. Only makes sense to me as a great portion of the betting public work for a living.

I thought about the restaurant question but I actually think it helps them at least on this Friday. It is not a traditionally crowded day, so the restaurants probably aren't swamped anyway, so this will now create two waves. They will get regular business at the earlier dinner time and a later than usual rush after the races.

Don't forget, restaurants were far from jammed most of last summer.

hoovesupsideyourhead · #7 07-18-2006, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kasept

If people like and are excited about the Twinighter at the Spa, they should acknowledge and thank our own "BTW" who is largely responsible for making it happen...

now thats some "juice"....

2MinsToPost · #8 07-18-2006, 02:43 PM

shoot Tim I remember last year you talking up the idea. happy for ya and hope it takes off. now ya need the swimming pool in the infield with waiters, waitresses taking your food, drink and bets.

Gander · #9 07-18-2006, 02:56 PM

Ya, I talk it up and someone else takes the credit for it, LOL!

Next, my idea for the olympic size pool in the infield and replacing the 75 year old bartenders with hot college girls will be someone elses genius as well.

LOL! LOL!

blackthroatedwind · #10 07-18-2006, 03:02 PM

Actually, Gander deserves a LOT of credit for this. He started a thread ( I just looked it up ) on the morning of June 17th about this very idea, and it was that day that I gave my case for a twilight card that weekend. I am uncomfortable taking credit for this, as it was Bill Nader who made it happen, but it was Gander's thread that reintroduced this idea, which both Bill and I had discussed over the years.

All good ideas do not go unnoticed.

sumitas · #11 07-18-2006, 03:07 PM

When is the Spa meet going to start on July 1st ?

Gander · #12 07-18-2006, 03:08 PM

Thanks BTW.

I have many more ideas, some you might find a little far out there, but I think they are worth hearing nonetheless. Perhaps over a beer or an ice cream at the track.

blackthroatedwind · #13 07-18-2006, 03:09 PM

That would qualify as a bad idea that will go unnoticed

.

Six weeks is already stretching things, as truly the track is pretty much only busy during the actual August dates, and diluting it further would really begin to erode the prestige of the meet. And, believe it or not, everybody doesn't LOVE going up there.

blackthroatedwind · #14 07-18-2006, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gander

Thanks BTW.

I have many more ideas, some you might find a little far out there, but I think they are worth hearing nonetheless. Perhaps over a beer or an ice cream at the track.

Anything that CAN be done that will improve the racing experience is worth listening to.

sumitas · #15 07-18-2006, 03:11 PM

I read somewhere NYS would like to see the meet start around July 1st. I assume some of the bids will propose that.

blackthroatedwind · #16 07-18-2006, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sumitas

I read somewhere NYS would like to see the meet start around July 1st. I assume some of the bids will propose that.

I highly doubt this. I think people are underestimating the problems with the housing market associated with this. It would also create a large overlap with the Churchill meet which would delay, or even forfeit, shippers and severly dilute the quality of the meet.

It is not as simple as saying " if we build it they will come ".

Gander · #17 07-18-2006, 03:15 PM

I agree totally. Not only do not all people enjoy coming to Saratoga, but not all Saratogians love the town tripling in size for 6 weeks for horse racing. I am a huge fan but very glad when its all over too.

6 weeks is plenty and I think they have the ideal window (July 26th - Sep 4th) for it the way it stands now.

Labor Day may not be the most popular weekend of the meet, but I think its a great idea having racing here. I for one cant stand Labor Day, and without the track that weekend I'd go out of my mind. Love the somewhat recently added Labor Day weekend of racing.