Perhaps a Yonkers MGM executive should look at Oaklawn Park. Oaklawn has a very successful VLT program using the Historic Racing machines.
Anyway, Yonkers , like Oaklawn receives a great amount of money from their host casino's revenue spits. But, Oaklawn actually makes this money work for all involved. They have a superior purse structure with $30K going to $10K claimers going short, up to Maiden races for $110K and Allowance races, never win 2 going for $130K.
Yes, their racing season is half the days of Yonkers so, there is the building of the account. But, Oaklawn spreads the incentives around to help insure the fields are full and the also rans get a taste.
A trainers incentive of $250 for every entry that finishes 5th or lower . They also have more state bred incentives and owner direct incentives. They treat their on track patrons like they really matter have a wonderful facility. They also fund dozens of local and national stake races every week.
Bottom line, Oaklawn Park gets it right. They make the most of their subsidies to grow the sport and their business, all the while rewarding the horsemen and owners for putting on a world class show.
Yonkers picks who they want to be successful and pisses on the rest. All the while destroying the game and their business every day.
