Why can't So Cal racing interests build a new track?

[Stillriledup]

Lots of talk about racing the Hollywood dates at Los Al or Fairplex or even lengthening the meets at SA or DMR, but why no talk of actually building a new track somewhere? If Jeff Gural can build a new harness track for harness racing with no slot machines, why can't someone build a nice new track in So Cal to take the place of Hollywood?

I'm sure there's a reason, i just havent heard it.

[racingfan378]

Too many Indian casinos now in California, that's what took the money away from Arizona racing and now it's the Golden State's turn

No one in their right mind would build a racetrack in the current condition of racing in that state. There is no land for it and it would have to be built wayyyyy out there

[VastinMT]

No land.
No money.
No customers.

[JustRalph]

I would be willing to bet the State woud want a huge cut

[highnote]

Tiajuana?

[plainolebill]

At one time CDI mentioned building a replacement for Hol out in the desert - South Orange/North SD county I think. Just BS wrapped around dumping the track.

[wiffleball whizz]

Lots of talk about racing the Hollywood dates at Los Al or Fairplex or even lengthening the meets at SA or DMR, but why no talk of actually building a new track somewhere? If Jeff Gural can build a new harness track for harness racing with no slot machines, why can't someone build a nice new track in So Cal to take the place of Hollywood?

I'm sure there's a reason, i just havent heard it.

Jeff gural is building the new meadowlands grandstand for the future casino in the next 1000 days.....Jeff isn't stupid he knows a harness only facility will bury him with a dead sport....he's in this for casinos...

Chris christies stubborn stance on casinos only being in ac is as dumb as anything gets.....my father lives 25 min north of Monmouth....Everybofy north and west of there that money crosses state lines into pa and NYC....

At what point does he think that ac will make a comeback...it won't ac is deader then a russel baze horse thats 8/5ml sitting at 7/1 as they are loading up...that horse have winning.......how does he not see ac is a dead besides saturdayscthe city is a morgue

Jeff is waiting for casinos and thats the only reason the new grandstand is being built

[castaway01]

Lots of talk about racing the Hollywood dates at Los Al or Fairplex or even lengthening the meets at SA or DMR, but why no talk of actually building a new track somewhere? If Jeff Gural can build a new harness track for harness racing with no slot machines, why can't someone build a nice new track in So Cal to take the place of Hollywood?

I'm sure there's a reason, i just havent heard it.

Do you have any idea what land costs in southern California? Who would put out that kind of money when tracks across the country that don't have casinos are either struggling to stay even or losing money? The idea of building a new racetrack is like saying, "Hey, we have a money-losing business. Let's find the most expensive land we can and build another one there."

[Robert Goren]

No land.
No money.
No customers.Why spends millions on something nobody would use. If it was such a good business, they would not be tearing down the old one. The card club stays. That tells you about all you need to know.

[badcompany]

No land.
No money.
No customers.

Now, that's just nitpicking, isn't it?

http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/nigeltuneful.jpg

[badcompany]

Jeff gural is building the new meadowlands grandstand for the future casino in the next 1000 days.....Jeff isn't stupid he knows a harness only facility will bury him with a dead sport....he's in this for casinos...

Chris christies stubborn stance on casinos only being in ac is as dumb as anything gets.....my father lives 25 min north of Monmouth....Everybofy north and west of there that money crosses state lines into pa and NYC....

At what point does he think that ac will make a comeback...it won't ac is deader then a russel baze horse thats 8/5ml sitting at 7/1 as they are loading up...that horse have winning.......how does he not see ac is a dead besides saturdayscthe city is a morgue

Jeff is waiting for casinos and thats the only reason the new grandstand is being built

The ironic part is that entire casino slots machine model is a obsolete, as we all have slot machines in our hands (see below), and government intervention is the only thing that will keep the old model alive.

http://www.geekalerts.com/u/iphone-slot-machine.jpg

[therussmeister]

The ironic part is that entire casino slots machine model is a obsolete, as we all have slot machines in our hands (see below), and government intervention is the only thing that will keep the old model alive.

http://www.geekalerts.com/u/iphone-slot-machine.jpg
But government intervention is not obsolete.

[pondman]

Lots of talk about racing the Hollywood dates at Los Al or Fairplex or even lengthening the meets at SA or DMR, but why no talk of actually building a new track somewhere? If Jeff Gural can build a new harness track for harness racing with no slot machines, why can't someone build a nice new track in So Cal to take the place of Hollywood?

I'm sure there's a reason, i just havent heard it.

If it were profitable Hollywood park wouldn't be ending. All racing in California is on the verge of bankruptcy. Who would take a chance?

[burnsy]

If it were profitable Hollywood park wouldn't be ending. All racing in California is on the verge of bankruptcy. Who would take a chance?

I don't know about bankrupt but its not well. Short fields, bad racing, not enough people care......before anyone thinks i'm saying racing is dying....whenever you are critical....thats what the cheerleaders on tv cry...then they point at derby numbers or something. A strong business runs well at MOST times. People just don't understand when a market is saturated..Its ridiculous to think that theres enough gambling base or horses to keep these tracks going...like horse racing tries to do. Theres already too many tracks, look at the fiasco in Florida...Calder and Gulfstream...its a joke. This is country where reality is out the window, if you face it, somehow you are the nut.......racing isn't dying but less tracks sure could help. For all the cheerleaders, i want to see a business plan where more (or the same #) tracks is going to be better. If they were thinking they would run an organized circuit like all major sports, with different levels. Its hilarious tracks running every 3 minutes with some post times actually in cync...:bang: . Hockey and baseball run lower levels in smaller cities...the economics of horse racing is set up like cannibalism...which is only good when business is booming, if you say it is, you are lying to yourself. The same thing will happen with the casinos, more is better...:lol:....some of them are already bitching too....

[Stillriledup]

Do you have any idea what land costs in southern California? Who would put out that kind of money when tracks across the country that don't have casinos are either struggling to stay even or losing money? The idea of building a new racetrack is like saying, "Hey, we have a money-losing business. Let's find the most expensive land we can and build another one there."

Im sure they might be able to find some land in So Cal that's on a par with the land in the Meadowlands area. The track won't be a money losing business if they do it the right way. Its hard to lose money as a bookie who's taking 20% off the top of every on track dollar. They just need a smaller, upscale, up to date building with a nice food courts, restaurant and the like and find a way to pack that place on a daily basis.

I'm not going to disagree with you that its hard, running any kind of business and making it profitable is a tough task for sure, but where there's a will there's a way......so far, no will though.

[thespaah]

Jeff gural is building the new meadowlands grandstand for the future casino in the next 1000 days.....Jeff isn't stupid he knows a harness only facility will bury him with a dead sport....he's in this for casinos...

Chris christies stubborn stance on casinos only being in ac is as dumb as anything gets.....my father lives 25 min north of Monmouth....Everybofy north and west of there that money crosses state lines into pa and NYC....

At what point does he think that ac will make a comeback...it won't ac is deader then a russel baze horse thats 8/5ml sitting at 7/1 as they are loading up...that horse have winning.......how does he not see ac is a dead besides saturdayscthe city is a morgue

Jeff is waiting for casinos and thats the only reason the new grandstand is being built
It's not just the governor. Powerful entrenched politicians representing South Jersey are 'all in' on keeping AC as the ONLY location in NJ where casinos are permitted.
Once again, the people get screwed by politics.

[wiffleball whizz]

It's not just the governor. Powerful entrenched politicians representing South Jersey are 'all in' on keeping AC as the ONLY location in NJ where casinos are permitted.
Once again, the people get screwed by politics.

I live down here and it's a morgue......huge ancient casinos and no customers....ac had world by the balls gambling wise and never capitalized....it's all over now turn out the lights sun-thur nites and Fridays are not what they used to be

[Stillriledup]

It's not just the governor. Powerful entrenched politicians representing South Jersey are 'all in' on keeping AC as the ONLY location in NJ where casinos are permitted.
Once again, the people get screwed by politics.

It basically comes down to 'casino interests' buying and selling politicians. You make a purchase, and that politician is your "boy".

Same thing happens in So Cal, this is why politicans won't let tracks have slots, the Indian Casinos have them all bought and paid for.

[burnsy]

I live down here and it's a morgue......huge ancient casinos and no customers....ac had world by the balls gambling wise and never capitalized....it's all over now turn out the lights sun-thur nites and Fridays are not what they used to be

Thats just what i posted......why go down there when theres places right by the city????? Guess what? Many tracks are going down the same road but people just won't admit it! A good day is 5,000 people or more and a good race is 6 horses with 3 good ones in it! Its organized like a cluster f*ck. More tracks are going to close or they can't have this fragment system....just won't work....not enough fans, bettors or horses. Horse racing has needed to get its head out of its ass for years.....there is no structure.....The NFL, NBA and MLB make horse racing look like amatuers.......its a management of a sinking ship, instead of co operation.

[Valuist]

Now, that's just nitpicking, isn't it?

http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/nigeltuneful.jpg

Another Nigel Tufnel quote: "There's a fine line between clever and stupid".

As for the original post, we don't need more racetracks. We need less. You will see less tracks 5 and 10 years from now.

[therussmeister]

You will see less tracks 5 and 10 years from now.
And every time one of those tracks close there will be a chorus of "Oh no! Not that one," from posters here.

[Stillriledup]

Another Nigel Tufnel quote: "There's a fine line between clever and stupid".

As for the original post, we don't need more racetracks. We need less. You will see less tracks 5 and 10 years from now.

This is partly true. We only need less racetracks if all those racetracks are going to be run and managed the same way as they've been run and managed over the last few decades.

But, if you built a new facility, smaller, more updated, in the correct area, with competitive pricing on food, drink and wagers as well as doing it the right way, you won't have a problem sustaining a successful business.

[v j stauffer]

This is partly true. We only need less racetracks if all those racetracks are going to be run and managed the same way as they've been run and managed over the last few decades.

But, if you built a new facility, smaller, more updated, in the correct area, with competitive pricing on food, drink and wagers as well as doing it the right way, you won't have a problem sustaining a successful business.

Sounds great. Sounds easy. Go right ahead.

[wiffleball whizz]

Sounds great. Sounds easy. Go right ahead.

Your right Vic it's to hard....nobody in there right mind would build a new racetrack....cheap food and drinks couldn't compete in paying for purses...

Look at all the new tracks they all got garbage handle...presque isle is the prime example....huge purses prime time racing slot in dead time of day and get pathetic handle....half of the time doubles combos aren't even converted...

[dylbert]

Land will go to its highest and best use.

[thespaah]

I live down here and it's a morgue......huge ancient casinos and no customers....ac had world by the balls gambling wise and never capitalized....it's all over now turn out the lights sun-thur nites and Fridays are not what they used to be
The answer is simple. All of the bus loads of people from northern NJ, downstate NY and NYC that used to go to AC have been heading up to Foxwoods and Mohigan Sun.
That left the PA, DE and MD gamblers. Since PA and DE now permit table games, AC has lost most of its customer base.
Add the fact that AC has a horrific crime problem. Even the casino district is far from immune. I read a story about some folks in a casino parking garage were car jacked. There are incidents like this, player leaving casinos getting mugged and other crimes. Not good.
It got so bad, the sate was considering forming a special policing district just for the AC casinos.

[thespaah]

Land will go to its highest and best use.
Correct!.....looks like you may have some knowledge of the RE Appraisal business.

[wiffleball whizz]

The answer is simple. All of the bus loads of people from northern NJ, downstate NY and NYC that used to go to AC have been heading up to Foxwoods and Mohigan Sun.
That left the PA, DE and MD gamblers. Since PA and DE now permit table games, AC has lost most of its customer base.
Add the fact that AC has a horrific crime problem. Even the casino district is far from immune. I read a story about some folks in a casino parking garage were car jacked. There are incidents like this, player leaving casinos getting mugged and other crimes. Not good.
It got so bad, the sate was considering forming a special policing district just for the AC casinos.

Not sure where u live but 3 miles from my house there was a 28 member gang arrested by dea FBI and acpd today in ac....google it!!!!!

Atlantic city is such a cesspool it's a disgrace....why anybody would come here from out of state is beyond me.....

[thespaah]

Not sure where u live but 3 miles from my house there was a 28 member gang arrested by dea FBI and acpd today in ac....google it!!!!!

Atlantic city is such a cesspool it's a disgrace....why anybody would come here from out of state is beyond me.....
I lived in Bergen County for 30 years before I left NJ.
I had been to AC enough times to see the start of the problems near the casinos.

[Stillriledup]

Sounds great. Sounds easy. Go right ahead.

You have pull to get me a gaming license? ;)