HORSEPLOP.COM
General Category => Harness Racing => Topic started by: smokingjoe on September 12, 2024, 12:55:30 PM
-
This would be truly sad if true, but all employees have been called to a meeting next Thursday by the GM.
Speculation is a closing since they had called all the sports betting folks to a meeting, and told them it would be shutting in a month and did so.
An industry terminally ill may be seeing another fatality soon.
-
Hey smoking Joe. Keep smoking totally untrue
-
Not a rumor.
-
It's 100% true that an all employees meeting has been called for next Thursday!!!
The assumption it is bad news, but to what degree?
Based on the fact they did the same thing before closing the sports book and all employees with it (gave 30 day notice), that's sadly the logical favorite outcome.
-
Guess it could be possible out East after hearing that the only Sportsbook in the United States closed was at that track . It sounds like it’s Been on the brink many times of closing but history buffs keep it alive . The purses there are absolutely atrocious. A complete embarrassment to race 10 races for 40k . That’s our one open out here . How many employees can there possibly be ? 15-20 ?
-
they receive $2mil a year from the state of NJ for purses.
Freehold is owned by Pennwood--half Penn National and half Parx(Greenwood)-they paid $44 mil a long time ago
maybe they all came to an agreement to close the place-America's oldest pari mutuel track
maybe Gural gets that extra $2mil for purses if they close
-
I would be sad since once a month I stop in and let loose a huge pile of shit. It is a work of art and I never flush. That place should have been sold years ago when slots failed and now this year the sports book disappeared as well.
The 15-20 dirtbags who worship that place will just have to hit the mall across the street and hang out. A group of those old shit bags are regulars and spend more money on coffee than they do at the windows. There is one old Jew boy named John who is a prime example. Another POS is named Al with a beer belly that has to be seen to be believed who would never venture to Monmouth Park to place a bet.
Fuck the crooked teller Bob from the dining room also. I will laugh my ass off if this comes true.
-
Ant track that closes is bad for racing only stupid people want that.
-
Ant track that closes is bad for racing only stupid people want that.
I agree for the most part. I do think there are too many tracks and too many races today, but that's another issue. In and of itself, it is not good for NJ racing if Freehold closes. Too many horses at Freehold can't go at the Meadowlands. Those horses will make their way out of NJ. Those horses that can go at the Meadowlands will, but it will cheapen an already cheapened product. As a gambler, all I've wanted my entire career is full and competitive fields and large pools to bet into. Yes, low takeouts, LOL. If you don't have that, you can't make a living in this game. While a full and competitive field can be had from a 10 claimer race or an Open Pace, you lose both full fields and competitive fields over time as the overall quality of the horse population decreases.
A lot of people like to point out negativity, rant and rave, knock the sport and the industry, kick it when it's down, and so on. Critics and hecklers. To what end? If you think everyone is cheating, open windows, CAW's, all this and everything else that makes the sport and betting not fair, and so on----then don't bet, shut up, and go find something else to do. My response is take up bingo and tell your story walking. I am not happy with the Meadowlands product. I've told management so. Other gamblers have as well. Try that at YR, LOL. The Meadowlands will survive, and eventually will thrive as the new business model takes shape. Until then, I still support the sport and industry, as an owner and as a gambler, all while making a living.
-
The "shut up and leave" strategy for treating bettors has been successfully implemented since slot money arrived. How's that been working out so far?
-
To all concerned I’ve heard that those owners you’ve been talking about pennwood/parx ? Have just sold it to new buyer that’s what the meeting is about the track was sold. To whom and what the new owner does ???? Hopefully to continue the oldest daytime track will continue with improvements …….
-
I would be sad since once a month I stop in and let loose a huge pile of shit. It is a work of art and I never flush. That place should have been sold years ago when slots failed and now this year the sports book disappeared as well.
The 15-20 dirtbags who worship that place will just have to hit the mall across the street and hang out. A group of those old shit bags are regulars and spend more money on coffee than they do at the windows. There is one old Jew boy named John who is a prime example. Another POS is named Al with a beer belly that has to be seen to be believed who would never venture to Monmouth Park to place a bet.
Fuck the crooked teller Bob from the dining room also. I will laugh my ass off if this comes true.
I remember years ago when they had drivers like Herve and Jackie Mo and they had decent racing there and drew a decent crowd. That ground floor grandstand bathroom was always leaking water, a constant stream of pisswater flowing out thru the door and into the raceway.
-
I get to Freehold a few times a year when I visit family in Jersey. It's old and tattered. Not many folks there. But to see it close would be a shame. I hope it survives. I still enjoy standing at the finish line.
-
If it is closing me and my fellas will fly east and take pictures of the place and post some here . I’m sure it’s just a shell of its former self . We have gone to woodbine twice this month why not Freehold next month if it’s closing up .
-
The "shut up and leave" strategy for treating bettors has been successfully implemented since slot money arrived. How's that been working out so far?
Not bettors. Hecklers. Big difference.
-
To all concerned I’ve heard that those owners you’ve been talking about pennwood/parx ? Have just sold it to new buyer that’s what the meeting is about the track was sold. To whom and what the new owner does ???? Hopefully to continue the oldest daytime track will continue with improvements …….
That would be interesting. The big question.....are the new owner(s) horsemen? Casino/gaming?
-
What happened at the meeting?
-
Freehold starting having trouble when gateway, showplace and white birch closed
-
Dose anyone remember when freehold had a barn area??
-
Dose anyone remember when freehold had a barn area??
😅 yes. Originally the barns were on the east side of route 9 the same as the racetrack. Then barns started being added on the west side of route 9. There was a crossing guard to stop traffic on route 9 to allow the horses to cross. Then they built the bridge over the highway
Then years later the barn area was closed and repurposed into retail and it became a ship-in facility.
-
Not bettors. Hecklers. Big difference.
I suppose you are picking and choosing who to tell to not bet. I, on the other hand, am in very small minority. I would suggest listening to any feedback (good and bad) from any of the remaining retail (non CAW) players, try to save them and maybe even try to grow them. This includes hecklers. Or, we can stay the course, tell retails players we don't like to bet something else, continue to increase thw CAW handle percentages and hope every meeting doesn't end with closures and unemployment notices. Either way, I guess.
-
I suppose you are picking and choosing who to tell to not bet. I, on the other hand, am in very small minority. I would suggest listening to any feedback (good and bad) from any of the remaining retail (non CAW) players, try to save them and maybe even try to grow them. This includes hecklers. Or, we can stay the course, tell retails players we don't like to bet something else, continue to increase thw CAW handle percentages and hope every meeting doesn't end with closures and unemployment notices. Either way, I guess.
Not at all. To each their own. Last time I checked it was a free country. Aside from the anti-semitism, racism, bigotry, etc., the same is true here on this BB. If a guy is going to step up, be the author and source of only negativity, exclusively be critical and condescending, simply state it's a dead game and sport, and so on.....let me be clear.....it's anyone's prerogative to listen to that person. It's also my prerogative to not. Like I said, to each their own.
-
Dose anyone remember when freehold had a barn area??
.
They had a half mile track just about where the mall sits
-
Dose anyone remember when freehold had a barn area??
I do. It was a decent little hotspot for Central NJ horsemen. Showplace and Gaitway became the two key hubs early on.
-
Now it shows a win handle today on the first race of 2900 . A double and exacta pool combined of 12 thousand. That’s what the fryburg fair handles . Is this track in a remote area of New Jersey ? Is it easy to access ? Maybe that’s a reason . Terrible purse structure if it’s true the state subsidies are over 2+ million. Definitely not given entirely to the purses .
-
As noted earlier, there's definitely an all employee meeting Thursday Many believe the track is closing, but I'm hearing from an excellent source that it's actually being sold to Boyd inc. They will be transferring their own sportsbook and develop the property for a much better sports betting facility than they had originally at Freehold. So it's one or two things. As someone who's been coming to Freehold for decades, I hope it's not closing.
-
i would schedule my college courses as a freshman so that on fridays i could drive to freehold to watch and bet the races--a few liberty bell guys were still around but they faded out
infrequently i would do the freehold/yonkers doubleheaders
later in the late 2000s i would go on saturdays--met some great people
i hope Boyd takes over and invests in the property and keeps racing going--at least a little bit
-
Gural closed on Freehold Raceway! Will re-open the sports book!
-
Just kidding. LOL.
-
if boyd gaming is taking over thats a good move especially for the sportsbook as here in Nevada they are hooked up with fanduel (since fanduel isnt truly licensed to operate on their own in nevada), and fanduel is at the meadowlands , Mr Gural is involved in someway , plus boyd gaming here in nevada is a better wagering product
for what is offered and doesnt ban you if you beat them like they do over at Caesars/William Hill.
-
i would schedule my college courses as a freshman so that on fridays i could drive to freehold to watch and bet the races--a few liberty bell guys were still around but they faded out
infrequently i would do the freehold/yonkers doubleheaders
later in the late 2000s i would go on saturdays--met some great people
i hope Boyd takes over and invests in the property and keeps racing going--at least a little bit
My guess is we met at Freehold. I would never go to Yonkers. The smell of piss was overwhelming
-
Supposedly the meeting is definitely This Thursday according to Mark Ford . Sounds like the place is indeed being sold by years end . The buyers have not committed to any additional or less racing for 2025 . Tabled until sale goes through .
-
Why close down the sports book?
-
Because Boyd has their own sports book
-
Why close down the sports book?
NJ has about 15 sports betting apps to choose from
why go to a brick and mortar place when you can use your phone?
-
NJ has about 15 sports betting apps to choose from
why go to a brick and mortar place when you can use your phone?
Obviously. But is this an indication that there will be no more racing at Freehold? Someone said no 2025 dates have been applied for.
-
I hear because the current owners would be shutting down if the purse money from the State isn't approved - still waiting for it by Governor. Meanwhile, if the rumor Boyd Gambling is buying the place, they too wouldn't be doing anything until they officially take over, which I suspect will first require a full inspection on everything before such a deal closes. It can go either way in my book.
-
Didn't Freehold get approved for $2mm from the State?
-
i was under the impression that Freehold's $2mil for purses were locked in and M1 gets $8mil
Governor was on board and it was budgeted--all before this Boyd talk
Boyd is a fine gaming company but they are not excited about racing
They do operate Belterra in ohio and Delta Downs/Evangeline Downs in louisiana but they are most likely waiting for decoupling
the land that freehold sits on is valuable if is allowed to be redeveloped commercially
i have a sneaking suspicion Gural is involved-probably eyeballing the $2mil annually that freehold receives
i would say this does not look good for freehold racing--maybe one more year-ultimately the state of new jersey must sanction any closing-no gaming company or current owners can just shut down on their own
NJ doesnt work that way--it is the epitome of a "pay to play" state
Boyd and Governor Murphy must have had an interesting discussion
-
From what we hear out here because Boyd operates a casino west of here is that they are interested in running a huge Sportsbook and hopeful of a casino passage . Didn’t hear any mention of the horse racing side obviously Boyd is not in that game probably just a means to an end for them . I would say racing on life support out there plus how do they make ends meet racing every race for 4k ? Sounds like a losing model .
-
i was under the impression that Freehold's $2mil for purses were locked in and M1 gets $8mil
Governor was on board and it was budgeted--all before this Boyd talk
Boyd is a fine gaming company but they are not excited about racing
They do operate Belterra in ohio and Delta Downs/Evangeline Downs in louisiana but they are most likely waiting for decoupling
the land that freehold sits on is valuable if is allowed to be redeveloped commercially
i have a sneaking suspicion Gural is involved-probably eyeballing the $2mil annually that freehold receives
i would say this does not look good for freehold racing--maybe one more year-ultimately the state of new jersey must sanction any closing-no gaming company or current owners can just shut down on their own
NJ doesnt work that way--it is the epitome of a "pay to play" state
Boyd and Governor Murphy must have had an interesting discussion
Good points! Are you sure the state needs to approve a shut-down of Freehold? It's privately owned-----not leased from the state-----and the owners are awarded race dates of course. Why approval from the state? If the state doesn't approve it, they can't force you to operate and run the race dates, can they? Sounds like serious litigation to me, LOL.
-
Good points! Are you sure the state needs to approve a shut-down of Freehold? It's privately owned-----not leased from the state-----and the owners are awarded race dates of course. Why approval from the state? If the state doesn't approve it, they can't force you to operate and run the race dates, can they? Sounds like serious litigation to me, LOL.
almost positive the state has the ultimate say as long as they subsidize purses-forced the players to sign a non closure agreement
somehow linked to the already legislated "Green Acres" bill which protects horse farms, land, tracks from extinction
of course the state could always pivot very quickly and allow Boyd to kill racing
The $2mil freehold currently receives is welfare that could end at any time
-
Without the 2 million subsidy what would the purses be ? 1200 a race or so ? The subsidy sounds like the oxygen for those folks . Without it they will die .
-
I simply don't know if there is a no shut down agreement in place. The $2mm was a continuation, an extension, so that includes the future. Wasn't it part of that bill that paid the monies through 2029? If so, is it possible the state simply says, sure go ahead, shut down, just give us back the monies you've received to date and haven't yet paid out?
The worst thing the tracks did was accept money to NOT get VLT/Slots. I think they'd be much more toward the head of the line.
-
It's 1.6Mil and no, not guaranteed. It subject to the states appropriation clause every year. This is Murphys last year
-
https://njbiz.com/murphy-signs-20m-annual-horse-racing-purse-subsidy/
-
The very important detail
“Consequently, the appropriations that this bill purports to require through State fiscal year 2029 are not binding and serve only as a strong expression of intent to provide funding in future fiscal years,” he explained
-
Sounds like without the subsidy it definitely would close . They have no attendance and no handle . The only thing keeping them on life support is the 2 million from the state obviously.
-
Place is a DUMP
BEEN THERE FIVE TIMES
EITHER REHAB IT OR CLOSE IT
BUT THE WAY IT SITS NOW
ITS DISGUSTING
-
The last time I was there in 2017 the attendance was about 20, or about 2 times the Monticello attendance.
-
Is it true they have one refreshment stand in the entire place ? They sell the same pretzels all weekend until there gone ? A few hotdogs ? What the heck guys . You out East boys supposed to be having steaks and burgers.
-
I try to plan to see family in Jersey when Freehold has live racing. I've always enjoyed the races there. But the crowds of late are just so small, it's very sad. If there are new owners, I'd imagine they would have to invest a lot of money to fix this up.
-
We are seriously thinking of flying out to take pictures of the place if it’s closing up or see for ourselves that an East coast track is as deplorable as it sounds from comments made here . Sounds like a NYC garbage dump
-
We are seriously thinking of flying out to take pictures of the place if it’s closing up or see for ourselves that an East coast track is as deplorable as it sounds from comments made here . Sounds like a NYC garbage dump
It has a boiler roomesque feel to it.
-
Sunmoon1219, it's in pretty tough shape. It's not a "NYC garbage dump". But it would take millions to ever "spruce' it up to what it should be. The question of the new ownership is ....."Is it worth it". Will it draw in more fans? I think the fan base is very small. Like Monticello, it's draws sparse crowds for live racing.
-
Save your money on plane tickets and just go to the local hood strip club that all you smell is urinal blocks when you walk in!
-
Give Freehold a break pls.
The industry is down big time and this small historic track s doing enough to just survive. Give them credit for doing so.
Should they invest millions when no one truly believes that attendance will not increase because they open a 2nd refreshment stand or new bathroom stalls. Until slots are approved to help this classic establishment physical improvements won’t change a thing.
I think the place is fine the way it is. Plenty of close by free parking, no admission fee, a pretty solid restaurant and a place where local standardbred horseman can continue to race their lower valued stock.
Congrats Freehold Raceway. Hope that you can stay open for another 100 plus years….
-
Give Freehold a break pls.
The industry is down big time and this small historic track s doing enough to just survive. Give them credit for doing so.
Should they invest millions when no one truly believes that attendance will not increase because they open a 2nd refreshment stand or new bathroom stalls. Until slots are approved to help this classic establishment physical improvements won’t change a thing.
I think the place is fine the way it is. Plenty of close by free parking, no admission fee, a pretty solid restaurant and a place where local standardbred horseman can continue to race their lower valued stock.
Congrats Freehold Raceway. Hope that you can stay open for another 100 plus years….
not happening anytime soon
Atlantic City pays Trenton for exclusivity
that is how NJ operates
Gural found out
-
Give Freehold a break pls.
The industry is down big time and this small historic track s doing enough to just survive. Give them credit for doing so.
Should they invest millions when no one truly believes that attendance will not increase because they open a 2nd refreshment stand or new bathroom stalls. Until slots are approved to help this classic establishment physical improvements won’t change a thing.
I think the place is fine the way it is. Plenty of close by free parking, no admission fee, a pretty solid restaurant and a place where local standardbred horseman can continue to race their lower valued stock.
Congrats Freehold Raceway. Hope that you can stay open for another 100 plus years….
"The place is fine the way it is" is one of the craziest opinions I've heard. Also, it'd very typical of the racing industry. Never try to improve anything, under any circumstances.
-
Wow lots of opinions on this place . The sad thing is there is very little money bet there on any race day which translates into no audience.
-
If Freehold closes down,where will Nicky Sandals race when he’s released from the can?
-
Very sad news - Freehold is closing at years end!
-
Now they can expand that mall that draws thousands in daily.
-
Hey smoking Joe. Keep smoking totally untrue
ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 73cv.2 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3
-
Ant track that closes is bad for racing only stupid people want that.
73cv.2 73cv.2 73cv.2 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3
-
NJ has about 15 sports betting apps to choose from
why go to a brick and mortar place when you can use your phone?
tmbz1 tmbz1 tmbz1
-
It’s over call it a day . Sorry it had to end this way
-
(https://iili.io/diqVdpS.md.jpg)
-
(https://iili.io/diBM9jt.md.jpg)