Planning to attend Woodbine - BEWARE !!!

[edmond1]

As of today the second floor is to be closed on non live racing days. That means everyone attending on these days can only bet at Handicapper's Corner and/or the Champions Lounge located on the third floor. I passed by there today and will never go back again on dark days. Others I know are in the same boat. The only snack bar open on these days is the one located at Handicapper's Corner which is supposed to be a quiet area. It was quite busy - note that majority of customers were people with food coupons from the slots area and/or racetrack employees. Add to this the extra noise level as a result of the now overcrowded small betting area and you will understand - frustrated people getting shut out due to lack of betting terminals and keep in mind the delayed feeds. Can you imagine the next couple days when the major tracks are running - attendance usually double or even triple compared to today. It will be insanity. Their message seems very clear to me now - WE DON'T WANT YOUR BUSINESS....
They make a fortune on simulcast betting and this is the reward they give their customers. My advice : Either stay home or go to any half decent off track location.....

[Al Gobbi]

Trakus has also been pulled as well. Though I have heard it might still be used for the t-breds. Definitely appears they are just gonna sit on their hand and see if they can get a casino.

I'm wondering if a takeout increase is coming though....

[edmond1]

My advice: Since Canadians can no longer have accounts at legal ADW's that offer rebates(ie PTC) open an offshore account that offer them (ie 5Dimes) or get onto Betfair or BetDaq. Screw them..... After what I witnessed today why would anyone bet on HPI now that they want you to bet from home. Better deals can be found elsewhere....

[Ted Craven]

If you're going to go all the way to the track, and park for free and get in for free, why not pay $5.00 to get into Champions and get a decent meal or drink, a nice view, outside seats on nice days, a few different live-teller banks and various self-serve terminals?

Is that part changed from previous years? Seems like on non-live days, there should be enough seating. I'll be there on Saturday April 20 opening day.

Ted

[appistappis]

My advice: Since Canadians can no longer have accounts at legal ADW's that offer rebates(ie PTC) open an offshore account that offer them (ie 5Dimes) or get onto Betfair or BetDaq. Screw them..... After what I witnessed today why would anyone bet on HPI now that they want you to bet from home. Better deals can be found elsewhere....


right on the money, well stated.

[Chris Longshot]

ahhh....WOODBINE :cool:

[burnsy]

How does this surprise anyone? I live in Saratoga, they spent in the neighborhood of 15 million to build the casino. The simulcast upstairs is still the same dump and these are the folks that kept the place open when times were tough there! The so called "club house" is the same piss green color it was 40 years ago when i was a kid. I go over once in a while but not much...its a joke on big days. With my ear problems, i can't even think right. Thats why i have 3 online accounts. The new facility on Central ave. in Albany is nice but many tracks need upgrades too, including Saratoga. Many times horseplayers are expected to bet their money but "service" is a four letter word. This is one of the things thats got to change, horse racing is in competition with this new era and the response is dreadful. But i will admit Capital OTB did a good thing building that new facilty in Albany, its an exception. Same thing at Aqueduct, the track side is a dump....stroll 50 yards to the casino side and its like a different world.

[Tom]

I had heard Trakus was pulled for harness and wondered about T breds.

What a MORONIC idea!
Woodbine takes a giant step BACK in time.

I'll make it simple - no Trakus on T bred - no play this year.
I don't support track that don't support me.

[castaway01]

When you said "Beware", I figured there were wild dogs roaming the infield, or gangs with guns at the door asking for wagering tips.

[Golf man]

Ahhh Woodbine you say. its still the only track I have ever been to where both my racing form and program were stolen while I was getting a cup of coffee.

[rastajenk]

:D You need to get out more. That happens everywhere. :p

[therussmeister]

Ahhh Woodbine you say. its still the only track I have ever been to where both my racing form and program were stolen while I was getting a cup of coffee.
At least they didn't steal you're coffee.

[johnhannibalsmith]

... The new facility on Central ave. in Albany is nice ..Capital OTB did a good thing building that new facilty in Albany...

Oh no, they didn't raze the old Teletheatre at 711 did they?

I loved that place... such a great dynamic of two environments separated by a single hallway... the "clubhouse" with its paid admission and fancy tables with monitors and waitresses and bars... and then the "grandstand" - just a big mess of tore up old desks with walls plastered in racing forms and people bouncing around hollering obscenities at one another... That place was the epitome of a real racing experience without going to the track.

[edmond1]

If you're going to go all the way to the track, and park for free and get in for free, why not pay $5.00 to get into Champions and get a decent meal or drink, a nice view, outside seats on nice days, a few different live-teller banks and various self-serve terminals?

Is that part changed from previous years? Seems like on non-live days, there should be enough seating. I'll be there on Saturday April 20 opening day.

Ted

Champions free on dark days now. Even though most people preferred to stay in the Handicappers Corner area since view of all tracks available there similar to what they are used to on second floor. I heard that things were just as bad today as yesterday - most regulars were now absent - they had enough.......

[usedtolovetvg]

The track was about 20 minutes from my college. Never went to class Wed, Thurs or Fri and spent most of my days at the track with about 10 buddies. Used to be able to yell at the jocks and they'd yell back, plus friendly and willing tellers. There was nothing like it. Then we'd all go to Fort Erie for the summer meet. I guess that's what you'd call the 'Good Ole Days'. They're long gone now.

[rrpic6]

Ahhh Woodbine you say. its still the only track I have ever been to where both my racing form and program were stolen while I was getting a cup of coffee.

Go to Pimlico on Preakness weekend. I had the plastic chair I was sitting at stolen by a Female Senior Citizen when I walked over to the SAM machine to make a bet. She did leave my pen and BRIS PP's at least. Not to mention the $7.00 beers in 2011. The thieves took their masks off in 2012 as the brews were $5.00.


RR

[Ted Craven]

Champions free on dark days now. Even though most people preferred to stay in the Handicappers Corner area since view of all tracks available there similar to what they are used to on second floor. I heard that things were just as bad today as yesterday - most regulars were now absent - they had enough.......

Screens of all tracks are no less available in Champions than the 2nd floor (or were, last year). People are probably just not used to paying the $5 cover, so they don't know what's in there and instead hover outside the 'door' even when they could enter for free and see for themselves (i.e. on dark days).

So, on dark days, the 2nd floor is closed, but the 3rd floor is open and free, both Champions and the Handicappers Corner - so what's the problem? No fast food in Champions?

I don't like to yell 'FIRE' in a crowded space unless there's actually a fire! Do you think that adapting to new fiscal realities requires no re-organization (e.g. closing the 2nd floor on dark days)? It will be interesting to see what IS and ISN'T true about Woodbine 2013.

And Golf Man, it wasn't me ... ;)

Ted

[cj]

Judging by the thread title I thought there was serial killer on the loose or something in Toronto.

[usedtolovetvg]

Judging by the thread title I thought there was serial killer on the loose or something in Toronto.

Not that, but google Mayor Rob Ford and you'll get some pretty interesting reading.

[angeleyes55]

Just got back from Woodbine. Even with live harness racing on tonight 2nd floor was closed. Conditions in Handicapper's Corner and Champions very claustrophobic. Smelly snack bar and much noisier than usual. Even seen kids running around the area. Many regulars very upset. A complete joke considering that this area is supposed to be a "Quiet Please" area ????????????

[WoxFan]

Woodbine has posted a calendar when the 2nd floor is open:

http://www.woodbineentertainment.com/Woodbine/DiningandGroups/RacingDining/Documents/Woodbine-April2013.pdf

[edmond1]

Woodbine has posted a calendar when the 2nd floor is open:

http://www.woodbineentertainment.com/Woodbine/DiningandGroups/RacingDining/Documents/Woodbine-April2013.pdf

Don't go when not open - trust me ......