No offense XYZ but if YR goes bye bye you will hardly be the first person to predict this. In fact it feels like this prediction has been going on since the Meadowlands opened up in the mid 1970’s. I recall before the the advent of their casino their purses were down to the $5,000 range for many of their cheaper races. Less and less people were attending and the place was falling apart. I swear this place is like a cat having nine lives.
Correct===but ask yourself--why is this happening?
The main reason IMHO--is the people running the show are to blame along with the greedy tax people.
Casinos--for some reason get charged less tax than what the Rooneys were paying. Then there were too many snouts feeding on the trough. For eg--some 120 MILLION was supposed to go into advertising and infrastructure--instead this money was funnelled away from this-into Casinos-and pockets of hierarchy.
Secondly--I was told the race secretaries--put on the worst race cards one can imagine. Race secretaries seem to think that having 1/9 shots winning-helps handle. It doesnt. the last 40 years I was told has seen more odds on favorites at Yonkers than any other track in History. There is no value-the same drivers/trainers control the races-so big bettors not interested.
Now-the Casinos are on a mission to decouple---so the last 3 years since MGM has taken over-harness is neglected--as an owner-if I want to watch my horse race--I cant. Unless I stand next to the track--not much fun in cold weather. Restaurants closed. Only simulcast open and that place is the pits--nothing for an owner. MGM promised before Rooneys so;d it--that they would support racing--make it viable--thats hard if the wrong people are in charge--those just out to make a buck. Ive seen Casinos and racetracks get along-Gulfstream in Florida I liked. Saratoga doing OK. Miami Valley OK Indiana. In the UK its working also. So it can be done---but need co operation.
