Churchill was investing almost $1 billion.....into their track

[Grandstand Handicapper]

https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/284044/churchill-pauses-three-projects-due-to-tariff-concerns

Holding off due to tariff concerns. I get that. Understood. But investing $1 billion dollars into the racetrack? Not the casino. Not the historical racing parlor. Not off-site. The racetrack.

I guess it's all for the Derby and not the other 300 days a year.

[Papillon]

https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/284044/churchill-pauses-three-projects-due-to-tariff-concerns

Holding off due to tariff concerns. I get that. Understood. But investing $1 billion dollars into the racetrack? Not the casino. Not the historical racing parlor. Not off-site. The racetrack.

I guess it's all for the Derby and not the other 300 days a year.

The Oaks/Derby weekend is most of CDI profits

on those days-they charge a premium for their signal--so the rebate players only received 1-2% and they hate it

its all about the luxury boxes and suites...they have a room not even facing the track and get over $10k a seat--not counting Millionaires and The Mansion-the top floor--those seats go for over $50k

[Grandstand Handicapper]

Hang on, are you saying that CDI-----which is publicly-traded, national, possibly international conglomerate, with racetracks, casinos, online wagering platforms, media interests, and United Tote-----still makes most of their profit on one weekend of racing? That's it?

[Scooteroo]

It doesn't hurt when General Admission on Derby Day starts at $150. They make so much money that weekend it work take weeks to count up how much. The past few years Pimlico has only had between 10 to 14 live race dates so their profits from the Preakness cover their expenses for the rest of the year.

[Grandstand Handicapper]

Apples and bowling balls comparing the Preakness and Derby and 1/ST and CDI.

Churchill races what, 80 to 90 days a year?

[Papillon]

Hang on, are you saying that CDI-----which is publicly-traded, national, possibly international conglomerate, with racetracks, casinos, online wagering platforms, media interests, and United Tote-----still makes most of their profit on one weekend of racing? That's it?

I would say, as a guess, it is well over 50% of the profits

the other entities you mention create revenue and some profit--but Oaks/Derby weekend is the cream

100k  live attendance on Oaks Day and 150k on Derby Day--thats a ton of admission fees, parking fees, TV contract with NBC/USA networks  luxury boxes and suites...and many, many mint juleps--most of which is ... profit

[Scooteroo]

My point was, the profit from one or two days of racing is so much it's worth it to invest more money into upgrades. I never compared the Derby to the Preakness but thank you, your apples and bowling balls for trying.

[Grandstand Handicapper]

I would say, as a guess, it is well over 50% of the profits

the other entities you mention create revenue and some profit--but Oaks/Derby weekend is the cream

100k  live attendance on Oaks Day and 150k on Derby Day--thats a ton of admission fees, parking fees, TV contract with NBC/USA networks  luxury boxes and suits...and many, many mint juleps--most of which is mostly profit

Thanks. If 50% of their profits or more come from that weekend.....I think I might look into shorting their stock! LOL.

I would have to guess they own/operate over 20 properties, and even if only a 1/4 of them are non-racetrack properties, I would have thought just the casinos alone (and I know they have several) should be their cash-cows and major line items of revenue and profit. Time to look into this, LOL.

[Grandstand Handicapper]

My point was, the profit from one or two days of racing is so much it's worth it to invest more money into upgrades. I never compared the Derby to the Preakness but thank you, your apples and bowling balls for trying.

I guess the profit from the one or two days of the Preakness wasn't enough/worth it to invest. Stronach did the opposite. He "abandoned" the property.

[Scooteroo]

The place is a dump that's falling apart. They're tearing it down after the Preakness and building a new modern track.

[Grandstand Handicapper]

Not Stronach though. 

[Scooteroo]

Not Stronach though. 

Eventually Stronach will end up closing every track he owns.

[Papillon]

Eventually Stronach will end up closing every track he owns.

Churchill ended racing at Bay Meadows, Arlington and Calder and sold the land

1/ST is still in control of Black Eyed Susan/Preakness weekend as part of the agreement with the state of Maryland

[Grandstand Handicapper]

Eventually Stronach will end up closing every track he owns.

It's her. Belinda, not Frank. She's his daughter. She owns all the racing properties and is looking like she can't get out quick enough. Unfortunate.

[seen2much]

I believe Churchill Downs losing money every weekend...except the first one in May.
Almost a billion for improvements seems excessive...but it's not my money.