"The whole concept of beautifying race tracks with malls, concerts and fancy restaurants will do and has done zero to improve handle and attendance. Slots/poker have helped.

Guys like Stronach do not have a clue as to what people who often bet money really want from a racetrack(they never asked). Because of in home TV, internet et al there will NEVER be the daily crowds of the years past,excepting big days,or big meets, e.g. Saratoga"

If this is true (and I believe it is also), it makes no sense to have so many racetracks all over the country. There should be a handful of racetracks that do draw large crowds (Saratoga, Del Mar, Keeneland etc...) and a few other high quality meets in NY, CA, FL and KY etc... Most of the rest of the tracks should be closed and simulcasting/casino type facilities should be built in their place. If the profits are in slots, restaurants, shopping or whatever else, why are we keeping racetracks open that are a drain on those profitable ventures and wasting tons of valuable real estate?

I haven't been to the new GP yet, but why make it a "horseplayer's" paradise if so few are going to show up to play horses?

I miss they way horse racing used to be. Even Aqu used to pack them in on the weekend if there was a decent race. But unless some of the other issues that have lead to declining attendance are addressed, I think it's a monumental waste to build great racing facilities that no one comes to.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/08/2007 12:59PM by fkach.