MEADOWLANDS HANDLE

[Locked in with pace]

Did they stop taking bets from the CAW's? Friday was far less than $2 million, with some races under $100,000.  And Saturday was $2.2 million. They previously had a long streak of 3 million-dollar nights.

[Papillon]

Did they stop taking bets from the CAW's? Friday was far less than $2 million, with some races under $100,000.  And Saturday was $2.2 million. They previously had a long streak of 3 million-dollar nights.

if they stopped taking CAW action-their handle would be less than $1 million-i know that hurts many posters here

Mohawk had the BC-but that only has a minimal impact on M1 racing

[Pacer 2]

I think the BC took alot of the Meadowlands handle. I'd expect them to bounce right back soon.

[Pacer 2]

if they stopped taking CAW action-their handle would be less than $1 million-i know that hurts many posters here

Mohawk had the BC-but that only has a minimal impact on M1 racing

   Why would that hurt many posters here? Pls enlighten us. I think many of the negative haters would rejoice!!

[Jctoronto]

Not sure what Ontario handle only was fri and sat nights but Blue Jays/Dodgers were direct hits up here those nights

[Racetime]

Anyone the the tracks return on live handle vs online handle  ?

[Grandstand Handicapper]

Obviously, outside of a t-bred track, special meet, etc.-----if we are talking harness tracks, typically you are going to see a major delta between on-track and online handle. Racetracks have been unsuccessful getting new customers/fans. Once the sport, industry, tracks, and more, gets cleaned up, reinvented, etc., the tracks have to do a better job doing that. Whether they do or they don't, they will have to change their business model to accommodate the differential between on-track and online handle.

Tracks are starting to do that. The "new" Meadowlands is much smaller than the old one. The "new" Belmont will be much smaller than the old one. And so on.

[kantseeback]

Obviously, outside of a t-bred track, special meet, etc.-----if we are talking harness tracks, typically you are going to see a major delta between on-track and online handle. Racetracks have been unsuccessful getting new customers/fans. Once the sport, industry, tracks, and more, gets cleaned up, reinvented, etc., the tracks have to do a better job doing that. Whether they do or they don't, they will have to change their business model to accommodate the differential between on-track and online handle.

Tracks are starting to do that. The "new" Meadowlands is much smaller than the old one. The "new" Belmont will be much smaller than the old one. And so on.

IMHO, I don't think shrinking grandstands will help grow the sport. If you search your memory, you will realize most tracks had a publicity director that at least attempted to draw more fans to raceways with all sorts of gimmicks, That sort of thing doesn't exist today.
I'm not saying gimmicks alone will help the situation, but perhaps smart gimmicks may help a little.
I always thought racinos should come up with a gimmick involving the slots and racing, perhaps a free bet for so many slot points or free slot play for horse bets.
Perhaps new racing customers can come from the slot people, but I agree they need to clean up the game first and seem at least somewhat honest.

[Ignorance Is Bliss]

IMHO, I don't think shrinking grandstands will help grow the sport. If you search your memory, you will realize most tracks had a publicity director that at least attempted to draw more fans to raceways with all sorts of gimmicks, That sort of thing doesn't exist today.
I'm not saying gimmicks alone will help the situation, but perhaps smart gimmicks may help a little.
I always thought racinos should come up with a gimmick involving the slots and racing, perhaps a free bet for so many slot points or free slot play for horse bets.
Perhaps new racing customers can come from the slot people, but I agree they need to clean up the game first and seem at least somewhat honest.

About those non-existent gimmicks...

[MTP1972]

I grew up near Brandywine Raceway, the Publicity Director was Colonel Dave Herman, he was from the South. He was almost bald, was a very flashy dressing with his plaid pants and sports jackets. He used to have promotion all the time including camel races. One year they had a drawing for a Cadillac, they drew 25,000, the handle was just short of 1 million. In those days there was no simulcasting, so you always had a good live attendance especially since it was during the summer. Colonel Dave had an office there where the owners would go to after the races for drinks.

[Grandstand Handicapper]

IMHO, I don't think shrinking grandstands will help grow the sport. If you search your memory, you will realize most tracks had a publicity director that at least attempted to draw more fans to raceways with all sorts of gimmicks, That sort of thing doesn't exist today.
I'm not saying gimmicks alone will help the situation, but perhaps smart gimmicks may help a little.
I always thought racinos should come up with a gimmick involving the slots and racing, perhaps a free bet for so many slot points or free slot play for horse bets.
Perhaps new racing customers can come from the slot people, but I agree they need to clean up the game first and seem at least somewhat honest.

Of course it won't. They are making facilities smaller for many other reasons-----because it's part of their business model change, because the costs are less, and so on and so on. It's economics. You don't need capacity for 25,000 when you normally get 2000. There is not one thing that will change the business, sport, get more customers, attract new fans, etc. It's MANY THINGS that have to be done. Maybe some will do it, but I suspect most won't.

[kantseeback]

About those non-existent gimmicks...

Is that a transvestite? Is that a free or do you need to purchase tickets?
A girly man has little chance to affect the attendance at M1.