SPORTS CREEK RACEWAY TO REOPEN

[bigwrench]

NO,  YOU JUST PROVED YOU DONT KNOW SQUAT

correctamundo!!

[oreogator2]

 Just some thoughts, a heads up and concerns about Sports Creek Raceway.
 When operating  as harness track, it was a pleasant track to visit.
 It was supported by horsemen their fans and the community.
 Yes you had to pay to park, to purchase your programs, and to sit in the clubhouse area,  but that made you appreciate it even more.
 From a racing prospective it was well supported by the horse industry as most of the fields were full,  which is a key to success for any wagering.
 As an entertainment venue it was well supported by both the fans who packed the parking lot and the clubhouse, and the ladies group who provided the terrific buffet at a reasonable price.
 The calibre of the horses it appeared, was never an issue as horseracing fans will bet on anything given a fair shot.
 The main issue back then as it would appear to be down the road is the location. On one hand it is on a major highway, but on the other hand the population draw is  questionable.
 The size of the track for thoroughbred racing is not that big an issue since Hazel Park racetrack was the same size with flatter and sharper half-mile  turns.
 There would be cosmetic changes to setting up for thoroughbreds at Sports Creek, things like jockey rooms out—rider locations, softer surfaces, and a hub rail.
Thoroughbreds are not horses that should be shipped in, as a result stabling will be required, which in this day and age is few and far between.
 A sceptic looking at Sports Creek Raceway opening up could suggest the following:
1.  Are there enough  thoroughbreds left in the state to put on a racemeet perhaps two days a week?
2.  As happened at the Pinnacle racetrack a few years back, that meet only lasted as long as the $40 million that was sitting in a thoroughbred race fund from the DRC was used up?  There were some conspiracy theories going around back then about a deal made between a county executive, and a banker, and a horseman group, to get that money any way they could.
 That track, at least, was in a location to draw from a greater population base than Sports Creek Raceway, but for anyone who ever attended you could see they did have a simulcast building and wagering area but the grandstand was nothing more than a set of high school bleacher seats.
 Now it appears there is purse money (Hazel) and I’m not exactly sure how much that is in another horse purse accoint, which will be utilized at the opening of Sports Creek thoroughbred. 
Perhaps the opening for thoroughbred racing, will open the door for harness once that thoroughbred money has been depleted.
 I would not bet against a successful operation, but I would suggest, if there are those out there willing to  put their money to take the chance, then why not support those efforts?
Yours for integrity, transparency, and accountability,
Marty Adler



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[Brett Oil Can Boyd]

 Sure hope the  new entrepreneurs plan on hiring fresh, non Michiganders, with fresh ideas to run their operation.  Relying on the opinions of tired old Michiganders will get them nowhere fast. Some, like most, think they have all the answers and still others have to turn it into a thread totally about them and their dreams to relive a past where they think they were a somebody. The 'back in the day gang', got the industry into the sad shape it is in now.  Cant possibly expect anyone of them to achieve success now

[Smalltimer7932]

All very good points from you guys both as a person who doesn't own horses or train I believe this new people need to be involved there the manager previously was a joke didn't care about condition of the place or his employees or Races just price points and how cheaply he could not pay anything thus the place had revenue of over 10million but had a 12k water bill 90days past due broken down tractor and part of the tote board didn't work for the longest time .as I went there most of my adult life with my dad it was clean everything was in  nice condition and good food but for last 10yrs gone down hill under his leadership but he got a bonus and payed well.i believe reopen fix it build it they will come harness or t -breeds. Hazel had mostly full fields just offer purses decent and they will ship from Ohio and Indiana cause they only race there for a short time .I wish them the best and hope I see the place like it was a few years ago not how it is now .

[Smalltimer7932]

And if needed there is plenty of space and land for other barns and a jockeys room to be built just needs to be cleared from weeds and rubbish removed.other side of racetrack has a second parking lot hasn't been used for 20+yrs lots of room there to build.

[Dr. Adam Freeham]

   Don't Michigan have some rich old Jewish people to take over the operation?  They need a savior in the worst way.  Promise them a casino or a sports betting palace.  One would think a state like that with so many black people would thrive with sports betting,

[Smalltimer7932]

I'm not sure what u mean but any smart person has got out of here if they could people that are left can't go because of one family reason or another .but people that are chosen to run the place must know there stuff to get place fixed up nice and running like a well oiled machine and the money will flow .to everyone

[Alex]

   Don't Michigan have some rich old Jewish people to take over the operation?  They need a savior in the worst way.  Promise them a casino or a sports betting palace.  One would think a state like that with so many black people would thrive with sports betting,

GO TO DOWNTOWN DEARBORN AND YOU MAY JUST FIND THE JEWISH  SAVIOR YOU ARE LOOKING FOR...

[HornbyDuke]

NO,  YOU JUST PROVED YOU DONT KNOW SQUAT

Maybe your right. But I'm an outside observer and this is a forum that allows for people's views to be heard. So I'll offer another view from the person that doesn't know squat.

I've watched more than my fair share of harness races over the last 40 yrs. I may not have the industry insight that some of you obviously possess but I'll offer my take.

A lot of the races I watched at Hazel and Sports Creek involved short priced favorites going on first up trips to nowhere.

Public trust and providing a product that is demanded are vital issues for any business that wants to survive absent government welfare.

These days simulcast dollars are integral to the survival of racetracks.

IMO this new operation will need to restore some public faith if they want to have a going concern.

I'd point out again Hazel closed, Sports Creek closed, Windsor (Canadian track) closed. Why?

Ultimately public trust matters. Maybe in the case of these tracks the closings were unfair.

I'll offer an analogy. OJ Simpson was not convicted of murder and was determined not guilty. That's was a criminal matter. However, most folks still wouldn't have wanted to move in next door to him when the trial was over. Lizzie Borden wasnt convicted of a crime but if I was around back then I wouldn't have been  caught dead  taking a nap on her downstairs couch in the years following her trial.

Fair? Maybe not.

Ultimately the public and government support are impt. I wager a lot. I have many long time acquaintances that wager a lot. When there was racing in the state, we had zero desire to wager on Michigan tracks.

I'd repeat Sportscreek closed, Hazel closed, the Canadian track closed? Fair? Maybe not. Public perception matters. The new operation wants to be mindful of public perception.

I hope the new operation gives at least some consideration to this and is a successful venture that exceeds Hazel's long run.

[Wilderness Don]

 I am the foremost authority on Michigan Harness Racing and quite frankly I have never heard the name Kochendorfer . So if you think you were someone special, you were not.  Go fuck yourself

http://www.mi-harness.net/Mich/hofhrsl.html

[oreogator2]

Island Echo
Loved thst horse OSH, and he sure loved the front end. We both made a fair deal.

Oil Can
As one of the strongest supporters of racing in the state, your recent posts reflect a modicum of pain.
A bad taste in your mouth no doubt, from your MHHA dealings, compounded by your heroic, but failed support of Jackson Raceway.
I always thought you could have been one of the leaders to move racing forward, and still do, with just  a slight attitude upgrade.
I think everyone agrees that Sports Creek alone will not turn the industry, but it could be something to build upon, if it does have some success.
What absolutely killed racing in Michigan, when it actually was on an upswing, was the prop vote against slots, spearheaded by the Detroit casinos.
That is now old news; however, Sports Creek is not under the Detroit purview, which now could lead to a re-think of slots at an out-state track.
Note, there is no successful racetrack in North America, that hasn’t propered with no slots.
The 3 closed tracks mentioned in another response, all have one thing in common - NO SLOTS!
If the day ever came where “little” SC were to be awarded thst alternate formsof attracting a market, the precident would be set for a major urban
track to be considered.
And Oil Can, you could help lead the way.
Just my opinion.
 - Marty

[oreogator2]

Just had a message from a friend who informed me that “Oil Can Boyd” is not who I thought was Brett Boyd, a man ai admire.
My error.
I stand by my positive comments.
I now have two people to appreciate.
Marty Adler
(My real name)

[Rabbi Of Racing]

You are a living legend Marty

[Alex]

 GOOD LUCK TO THE NEW OWNERS OF THE CREEK AS A RACETRACK/OFFTRACK SIMULCASTING CENTER.  MICHIGAN NEEDS SEVERAL PLACES WHERE YOU CAN MAKE A LEGAL WAGER.  USING A COMPUTER TO MAKE A BET ON HORSE RACING IN MICHIGAN IS NOT LEGAL

[bigwrench]

He is. If there is a more accomplished person in the "sport" that posts on here than Marty Adler I would be shocked and stunned. Wish you would post more Marty....this site is in dire need of real horseman and your opinions are respected as you have actually "walked the walk"...thru good and bad. Get rid of these racist piles of garbage and never beens nud Mr this a real forum like Paulick report for tbreds.

what the hell would you know about horsemen or horse racing ? What is your vast experience based on?