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General Category => Harness Racing => Topic started by: Pacer 2 on July 30, 2025, 09:20:10 AM

Title: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: Pacer 2 on July 30, 2025, 09:20:10 AM
Batavia, NY – When Batavia Downs kicked off its 2025 summer/fall session of live racing on Saturday (July 26), there was a notable increase in live attendance and the amount of money that bettors placed on races held at Batavia, both remotely and in person.


The clubhouse was packed on opening night Saturday, July 26 at Batavia Downs. Photo courtesy of Batavia Downs social media.
The track reported a 29% overall increase in handle versus opening day of 2024, and that included a 3% INCREASE from those wagering on-site. That on-site crowd filled the clubhouse and track apron and included many groups, families with children, older fans and stalwart racing aficionados who came out to bet and watch the New York Sire Stake action.
Title: Re: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: Harness Racing Revolution on July 30, 2025, 09:43:52 AM
Yeah, doing great. Down another 10% this year 100 million less than last year at this point. Doesn't matter since it survives off welfare. Over 200 million a year in state allocated funds in NYS alone... ngc3 ngc3 ngc3
Did I forget to mention constantly under investigation too?
And they're talking about the $275,000 wagered on a 15 race card on a Saturday with NYSS??? Averaged $18,333 per race wagered. ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3
Yeah, alive and well.
(https://iili.io/FS4QNMQ.md.png) (https://freeimage.host/i/FS4QNMQ)


Title: Re: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: John Moody on July 30, 2025, 10:11:05 AM
It's a dead game laddie
Title: Re: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: Harness racer on July 30, 2025, 10:57:09 AM
Yeah, doing great. Down another 10% this year 100 million less than last year at this point. Doesn't matter since it survives off welfare. Over 200 million a year in state allocated funds in NYS alone... ngc3 ngc3 ngc3
Did I forget to mention constantly under investigation too?
And they're talking about the $275,000 wagered on a 15 race card on a Saturday with NYSS??? Averaged $18,333 per race wagered. ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3 ngc3
Yeah, alive and well.
(https://iili.io/FS4QNMQ.md.png) (https://freeimage.host/i/FS4QNMQ)

$100 million is a lot of money missing from the handle and still 5 months left.  Could be $135 or more by years end.  Nobody bets this game anymore.  Too many other options out there.  I love when they try and put positive spins on singular good nights.  Takes a lot more than that!
Title: Re: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: Pacer 2 on July 30, 2025, 10:58:03 AM
Nicolle Fortes is the director of live racing at Batavia Downs and she spent the evening trackside to welcome all the customers who attended and was very encouraged by the energy and excitement felt throughout the property that night.

“I think the increase in handle and the great on-track attendance is a result of the renewed focus that’s been put on live racing product. In addition to the improvements we’ve invested in, we’ve also made a concentrated effort to increase exposure and generate excitement for this year’s meet. We had a great race card, including the New York Sire Stake 3-year-old filly pacers, even though we had to dodge a few raindrops along the way. I’m very happy with how the opener went and hope to continue the momentum throughout the season,” said Fortes.
Title: Re: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: sledge hammer on July 30, 2025, 10:59:07 AM
Yonkers handle last night was barely over $300K which is both sad and pathetic at the same time.

Their handle must be down 50% over the last few years.
I think Dan Nants was right...
Title: Re: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: Pacer 2 on July 30, 2025, 11:03:07 AM
President and CEO of Western Regional Off Track Betting, Byron Brown, was also on hand and liked the reception the return of live racing received Saturday.

“It was great to see such a large crowd on opening night of the 2025 live racing season as our goal is to attract new fans to come out and enjoy a night of racing at our historic oval. I would like to thank Nicolle and her staff for making it such a memorable night. I also want to thank all our loyal fans and I hope to see them throughout the rest of the racing season,” said Brown.
Title: Re: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: Harness racer on July 30, 2025, 11:09:10 AM
Let us know if this keeps up throughout the meet.  And a 3% on track increase from a major powerhouse like Batavia could save the industry!  ngc3  ngc3  ngc3  ngc3  ngc3  ngc3  ngc3  ngc3  ngc3  ngc3  ngc3
Title: Re: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: Papillon on July 30, 2025, 11:28:52 AM
Let us know if this keeps up throughout the meet.  And a 3% on track increase from a major powerhouse like Batavia could save the industry!  ngc3  ngc3  ngc3  ngc3  ngc3  ngc3  ngc3  ngc3  ngc3  ngc3  ngc3

 ngc3
Title: Re: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: Locked in with pace on July 30, 2025, 11:43:58 AM
Increased business volume does not necessarily translate to increased profit. You will see many businesses reduce their stores and personnel to improve their bottom line.  We all know one thing: ALL THE CASINOS WHERE THERE IS A HARNESS TRACK ARE MAKING MONEY. AND LOTS OF IT.  And many of the tracks are making money too with the racing product. Surely, the casinos would not be there if there weren't racing. In business, they call it the cost of doing business.
Title: Re: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: drawbar on July 30, 2025, 01:18:59 PM
You should see the crowd when they have $1 hot dogs, it's packed!
Title: Re: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: seen2much on July 30, 2025, 01:47:56 PM
Handle a million & increased by 29% would be something. If the handle is next to nothing a 29% increase means little.
Title: Re: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: Trigger on July 30, 2025, 02:19:45 PM
Batavia, NY – When Batavia Downs kicked off its 2025 summer/fall session of live racing on Saturday (July 26), there was a notable increase in live attendance and the amount of money that bettors placed on races held at Batavia, both remotely and in person.


The clubhouse was packed on opening night Saturday, July 26 at Batavia Downs. Photo courtesy of Batavia Downs social media.
The track reported a 29% overall increase in handle versus opening day of 2024, and that included a 3% INCREASE from those wagering on-site. That on-site crowd filled the clubhouse and track apron and included many groups, families with children, older fans and stalwart racing aficionados who came out to bet and watch the New York Sire Stake action.

Hey mental midget, copy and paste boy.

Removing the corruption from racing, you're against, and against those who took up the case.

You antagonize some if its remaining supporters, i.e. horseman, gamblers.

Good thing for racing the legislature and the big casino and corps that currently allow and subsidize racing which make up the majority of racing wouldn't let an imbecile like you in the room in a million years because it would be - decoupled and gone!

The best part of you that came out of your mother is in a landfill right now, and look what we got stuck with!  ;D
Title: Re: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: simplify on July 30, 2025, 04:48:21 PM
President and CEO of Western Regional Off Track Betting, Byron Brown, was also on hand and liked the reception the return of live racing received Saturday.

“It was great to see such a large crowd on opening night of the 2025 live racing season as our goal is to attract new fans to come out and enjoy a night of racing at our historic oval. I would like to thank Nicolle and her staff for making it such a memorable night. I also want to thank all our loyal fans and I hope to see them throughout the rest of the racing season,” said Brown.

Assume you are joking. Nobody (not even Lucparc) can be this dumb
Title: Re: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: SwankToliverA on July 30, 2025, 04:49:24 PM
You should see the crowd when they have $1 hot dogs, it's packed!


This is true
Title: Re: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: dougie on July 30, 2025, 05:20:37 PM
Well, if racing is doing great, you cannot see it by the attendance at Monticello Raceway. I was there Monday for the NYSS and I don't think there was 30 people there. As someone who grew up going there in the 70's-90's, it is a sad shell of what it once was. Racing there in it's "heyday" was great!
Title: Re: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: Harness Racing Revolution on July 30, 2025, 05:23:31 PM
Well, if racing is doing great, you cannot see it by the attendance at Monticello Raceway. I was there Monday for the NYSS and I don't think there was 30 people there. As someone who grew up going there in the 70's-90's, it is a sad shell of what it once was. Racing there in it's "heyday" was great!

No exaggerating, back then there were more kids in the playground than who watch the races there live on a summer day. Way more actually. Even as kids it was awesome. It will never happen again, won't even see the lights on again.
Title: Re: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: dougie on July 30, 2025, 07:06:33 PM
HRR.....I agree totally. You have to wager in the "Simulcast Room" with one "live" teller and about 15 folks sitting around. Another 15 or so sitting on a metal frandstand they put up. Incredibly sad. I spent my first 23 summers in a bungalow colony and went to the track quite often, From Allen Finklestine, to And Furman, to John Manzi, I knew them all. On a Sunday, you'd draw 5,000 from the bungalow/hotel crowd.
Title: Re: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: Unclejerry on July 30, 2025, 07:16:39 PM
This is a county fair sport jack up by the Meadowlands in the 80's. Now being saved by racino's and the the fairs it will return.
Title: Re: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: kantseeback on July 30, 2025, 09:20:27 PM
HRR.....I agree totally. You have to wager in the "Simulcast Room" with one "live" teller and about 15 folks sitting around. Another 15 or so sitting on a metal frandstand they put up. Incredibly sad. I spent my first 23 summers in a bungalow colony and went to the track quite often, From Allen Finklestine, to And Furman, to John Manzi, I knew them all. On a Sunday, you'd draw 5,000 from the bungalow/hotel crowd.

I remember at one time all the local resort hotels sent buses full of people to Monticello on Sunday afternoons, the betting lines were plentiful and long, maybe 15 people on each line.
Title: Re: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: dougie on July 30, 2025, 09:56:27 PM
Kantseeback.....t hey had a great disco bar called "The Place" on the 3rd floor. I used to sit in the box seats with a guy named Andy Herzog. My friend Brad (Rest In Peace) knew the family well. Andy's Dad "Lefty" owned Lefty's. Best french onion soup and burgers in the Catskills.
Title: Re: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: gh2009 on July 31, 2025, 01:42:51 AM
I remember at one time all the local resort hotels sent buses full of people to Monticello on Sunday afternoons, the betting lines were plentiful and long, maybe 15 people on each line.

Dover Downs had a few T-Bred meets back in the early 70's with very cheap horses and low purses. They also had Sunday racing which was a rarity back then. There used to be at least 10 buses from Maryland and DC. They used to draw 6000 people which was alot for Dover and handle decent money too.
Title: Re: Despite the naysayers racing is alive and well
Post by: Babinga on July 31, 2025, 07:34:11 AM
Andy's Dad "Lefty" owned Lefty's. Best french onion soup and burgers in the Catskills.

And don’t forget the Peanut Butter Pie!
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