December Maine racing

[Capt Lou]

They should call it a year

[Wawajones]

They have done well to go this long.  They have paid out way more purse money than any other December in recent Maine racing history.

[chief yogi]

we have had more money paid out daily this year. good slot handle less race dates equals better per day pay out. year totals will end up slightly up over 2018 thru 2020.

[Locked in with pace]

 Cumberland did a nice job to run a winter meet.  Can't say they didn't try but with minimal resources to run a track in the winter months, they should call it a year before a horse or driver get hurt. Or someone gets hurt working in the paddock in tough conditions.

[Wendall Tilley]

Maine had alot of rain this year.Been raining every 3 days since june. Tough conditions to keep a track good.

[chief yogi]

did ok to race thru christmas yes.  wish cumberland did something, anything, to try and promote racing. it was disapointing to see most of the grandstand used as boat storage and nothing there except 1 teller. even a couple vending machines would make it seem like the public was wanted.  had some off track handle but 1200 on track handle and no fans.  if we are to survive as an industry we need some fans and generate some of our own revenue.  the casino support is all ready being questioned in augusta. when this economy tanks its hard not to think the support money will end up somewhere else.  will be a hard fight when it happens. empty grandstand, 5 horse fields, looks like a failed industry right now to the augusta leaders.    hope that next season some effort to make it so some public attends. the old downs was a dump but did have a few people there for the live racing every day.

[Wendall Tilley]

Very well stated Yogi.

[Locked in with pace]

 If you did go, you froze, the paddock was not safe, and track was even worse. Lets be honest. Late December will be cold with lousy weather. People going to the track is over. Its not going to happen. All the tracks draw less and less fans each year. Why go when its so easy to stay at home and watch and wager. Have you seen how many malls have closed or have so few people shopping now.  Its simple. Its so much easier to shop and buy online.  A tracks success in today's world is  determined by off track handle.

[Mbdreamer]

The  inconvenience and discomforts of actually going to the races cannot compete with online wagering.  No lines, creature comforts of home, and instant access to betting info and replays is a lot to give up just to see the horses in the flesh.  Plus you are not hostage to the delayed post times.  Options available to pass the time.

[Capt Lou]

Postponed Sunday to Monday

[Wawajones]

Well.......

[chief yogi]

off track great for being a fan. 1/7 th the revenue to tracks. need to handle millions or have the casino money to survive.   the post time drag at cumberland has been horrible. the off track 60,000 brings little revenue.  will they race monday. bad weather predicted for wednesday. the retirement ceromonies  on friday?

[Locked in with pace]

We all know this was built as a fair track. Sure they brought in a lot of materials to make it better months ago  but I'm sure it would not pass USTA regulations. Call it a year.  Never ending cancellations makes no sense.

[chief yogi]

agree. there was not much done to begin with. added stone dust in april. racing till new years eve at cumberland never had a chance.

[Wawajones]

Got the races in yesterday.  Track looked bad.  Two more cards left, Wednesday and Friday.  Looks like weather will cooperate.  Over 110,000 dollars to be be distributed over the two days.  Overall, the horsemen should be very happy.