NYRA Budget for 2014 Calls for Hike in Fees, Admission Price

[Al Gobbi]

The New York Racing Association is finalizing a "fresh look" budget for 2014 that will hike fees imposed on simulcast partners and raise prices for racetrack admission and parking while cutting a number of expenses, including money saved by ending training at Aqueduct Racetrack during non-racing periods at the facility.

Kay said NYRA's 2014 budget, expected to be approved by its board the week of Dec. 2, will raise general admission prices at Saratoga Race Course and Belmont Park from $3 to $5 and clubhouse admission from $5 to $8.


Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82249/nyra-budget-for-2014-calls-for-hike-in-fees#ixzz2mLp0t6g8

[cj]

The New York Racing Association is finalizing a "fresh look" budget for 2014 that will hike fees imposed on simulcast partners and raise prices for racetrack admission and parking while cutting a number of expenses, including money saved by ending training at Aqueduct Racetrack during non-racing periods at the facility.

Kay said NYRA's 2014 budget, expected to be approved by its board the week of Dec. 2, will raise general admission prices at Saratoga Race Course and Belmont Park from $3 to $5 and clubhouse admission from $5 to $8.


Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82249/nyra-budget-for-2014-calls-for-hike-in-fees#ixzz2mLp0t6g8

I guess I can see raising fees at Saratoga, but Belmont? Come on, that is comical.

[tzipi]

I'll just cutback on days going to the track. Not paying more to get into the track where I am already spending enough money on betting, food and drink. Enough.

I agree with CJ, I can see Saratoga raise if the HAVE to, a one month racing spectacular, but Belmont? No way.

Between parking, entrance fee, and Post Parade, I am not shelling out about $20 to get in to the track to spend money. Will cutback going big time and take my money elsewhere. JMO

[aaron]

I guess this is how Chris Kay is going to improve our on track experience. The under/over on people on the 3rd floor clubhouse on a weekday is 20. They may also charge for general parking again at Belmont. They mention upgrading Saratoga,but I didn't see any mention of upgrading Belmont. I can see raising the prices at Saratoga,but raising prices at Belmont is crazy.

[proximity]

The New York Racing Association is finalizing a "fresh look" budget for 2014 that will hike fees imposed on simulcast partners ...

yes, i think on new years day a lot of ny players are going to be booted from the rebate shop like i was last month. (pennsylvania)

while i am against this, could it possibly end up hurting the handle on our own pennsylvania tracks so bad that eventually our own law will get reversed?? :confused:

idk, but i can't imagine new york players getting 17-18% rebates on pen trifectas suddenly driving to tracks and simulcast outlets to play pen at the full 30%. does anyone know how much of our handle comes from ny residents????

[thespaah]

Increasing admission is not going to fly.
It will adversely affect attendance at Saratoga. Mark my words.
People will object and attend less frequently.
NYRA is making a mistake here.

[CincyHorseplayer]

Just the thought of Belmont becoming synthetic makes me nauseous.

[tzipi]

Just the thought of Belmont becoming synthetic makes me nauseous.

Will never happen.

[wiffleball whizz]

Belmont increasing admission :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I was there up in the clubhouse the 1 and only time I was at Belmont when funny cide was going for triple crown

Can only imagine what that place looks like on a Thursday during the fall meet :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I used to see 4000 in the New York post.......had to be a misprint

[thespaah]

I just read the article.
And the more I think about it, the more it pisses me off.
It's like, ok attendance is down, so let's punish the fans for not coming by jacking up the price to go through the doors.
That's real productive.
The claim is NYRA will make improvements to enhance the experience.
'Scuse me? DO what?...
What can NYRA possibly do to Saratoga Racecourse to 'enhance' anything?
The place is just fine the way it is.

[thespaah]

Will never happen.
I hope you are correct.

[RacingFan1992]

It wouldn't be called the big sandy it would be the big synthy.

[tzipi]

I just read the article.
And the more I think about it, the more it pisses me off.
It's like, ok attendance is down, so let's punish the fans for not coming by jacking up the price to go through the doors.
That's real productive.
The claim is NYRA will make improvements to enhance the experience.
'Scuse me? DO what?...
What can NYRA possibly do to Saratoga Racecourse to 'enhance' anything?
The place is just fine the way it is.

Belmont will see more of a drop in attendance with this fees hike. Don't think it will help Saratoga either. People, especially younger people having been moving away from gambling or to other ways of investing money and raising prices to get into the track will not change this or help at all.

Try changing the game. Change the appearance of the product. Only chance left to help the game. Fee hike= bad move.

[TheEdge07]

Clubhouse$8
Grandstand$5

Cheaper then other forms of entertainment.

[DeltaLover]

Clubhouse$8
Grandstand$5

Cheaper then other forms of entertainment.

This is good news. At least for BELMONT it will keep the bums from entering the premises.

I would like to see the same happening for AQUEDUCT as well...

[Stillriledup]

So the key is that when you "need money" you just take it from the customer.

You don't take it from the trainers, owners or jockeys, you don't take it from the state or the track owners, you take it from the people walking around with holes in their shoes kicking over tickets hoping for a prayer.

Got it. :ThmbUp:

[DeltaLover]

So the key is that when you "need money" you just take it from the customer.

You don't take it from the trainers, owners or jockeys, you don't take it from the state or the track owners, you take it from the people walking around with holes in their shoes kicking over tickets hoping for a prayer.

Got it. :ThmbUp:

There is not a single key when you need money.

In this case, one of the problems has to do with improving the quality of the environment of the race track. A very good way to do that is to increase the entrance, getting rid of people with holes in their shoes. It is good for them, since obiously they cannot affort any betting, good for the average race fan, who will care less about being robbed, beaten or abused in any way from a bum and good for the game since a cleaner and safer race track has the potential to attact more new gamblers.

Of course, this does not mean that trainers, jocks and any other insider should not be asked for more... In contrary, they should be regulated and controlled to the maximum possible level but this does not mean that increasing the entrance price is bad for the racing.

Again, I would love to see the same for Aqueduct! I am more that willing to pay a small fare, if this will create a healthier athosphere over there where I spend most of my time!

[Longshot6977]

Just read the article and a few key points stand out (besides one being that Chris Kay is out of touch with horseplayers/fans and possibly the industry).

1. Kay did not immediately reveal the amounts to be raised by hiking fees imposed on those taking NYRA's simulcast signal. "They may not like it. I'm sure there will be some opposition," Kay said. (duh, ya think Chris?)

2. He called the admission fee increase "modest." From $3 to $5 is a 67% increase. An increase from $5 to $8 is a 60% increase. Hardly modest.

3. A NYRA spokeman later said there is no plan to install a synthetic surface at Belmont in 2014 or any other time. Yay

4. While Kay had been hoping to use the VLT revenue to grow NYRA's long-term business, the racing entity is facing two major expenses–pension costs and a federal income tax liability–that will eat up that revenue in 2014. (any of us here could have figured that out)

5. On-track attendance was off 9%, due, in part to declines at the Saratoga summer meet and for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). Operating expenses were up 4%. (an entry increase will surely hurt handle at either track)

Just my 2 cents

[thespaah]

Clubhouse$8
Grandstand$5

Cheaper then other forms of entertainment.
That's a non sequitur.
Casinos are gambling establishments. I've never been to one that charged me to enter.
Anyway..
I can just see the execs at NYRA explain this...
3,000 people show up at Belmont. 2700 are in the grandstand. The other 300 in the clubhouse.
So....
What was admission? $2/$4?....
So they go from $5400 to $13,500 for the grandstand and from $1200 to $2400 for clubhouse.....Like not having that will break the bank.
Now, race tracks are gambling establishments. Why would the management not want to make sure bettors have as much as possible to run through the windows?

[Stillriledup]

That's a non sequitur.
Casinos are gambling establishments. I've never been to one that charged me to enter.
Anyway..
I can just see the execs at NYRA explain this...
3,000 people show up at Belmont. 2700 are in the grandstand. The other 300 in the clubhouse.
So....
What was admission? $2/$4?....
So they go from $5400 to $13,500 for the grandstand and from $1200 to $2400 for clubhouse.....Like not having that will break the bank.
Now, race tracks are gambling establishments. Why would the management not want to make sure bettors have as much as possible to run through the windows?

Excellent post Spaah.

I agree, its amazing that they are so hungry to take dollars out of the hands of people who could use those dollars to "churn" into the betting pools. Every extra dollar they take and place it into their bank or sit it calmly on their desks, just sits there and gathers dust. They should want to have those dollars into the hands of the "labor" who will use those dollars like a window washer uses a squeegee.

[NTamm1215]

Excellent post Spaah.

I agree, its amazing that they are so hungry to take dollars out of the hands of people who could use those dollars to "churn" into the betting pools. Every extra dollar they take and place it into their bank or sit it calmly on their desks, just sits there and gathers dust. They should want to have those dollars into the hands of the "labor" who will use those dollars like a window washer uses a squeegee.

You do understand that the racetrack gets 100% of the $3 admission fee increase and roughly $0.60 of the $3 if it is wagered, right? It's going to have to be churned a few times to make the difference.

[thespaah]

For those who have made the point that the higher entrance fees will keep the bums and miscreants out, I agree.
Here's my problem with the rate hike.
From my former home in NJ, I had tyo cross two toll bridges to get to Aqueduct or Belmont.
The toll for EZ Pass users off peak is $9 to cross the George Washington Bridge.
Assuming off peak would mean a weekend day.
$5.33 for EZ Pass users for the Triboro Bridge and Tunnel Auth crossings.
For cash tolls it's $13 and $9 respectively.
So lets say most people have EX Pass. So it's $14 in tolls. Then $8 for the Clubhouse. $3 for a program....Or $1.50 to $2.00 if one uses Bris, DRF Trackmaster or Equibase and prints them out at home..
Preferred parking is $2....So my trip plus admission and parking and I am out over $25 and I haven't bought a voucher yet.

[cj]

You do understand that the racetrack gets 100% of the $3 admission fee increase and roughly $0.60 of the $3 if it is wagered, right? It's going to have to be churned a few times to make the difference.

I'm sure 99% of people understand that...not sure if SRU falls in the 1%.

The increase in itself isn't that big a deal. But, we see purses going through the roof and are still asked to pay more. It is just one more time bettors get a hand stuck in their pockets. They could make the same amount amount of money this increase will produce by cutting purses 1/10th of 1% (just a guess).

[NTamm1215]

I'm sure 99% of people understand that...not sure if SRU falls in the 1%.

The increase in itself isn't that big a deal. But, we see purses going through the roof and are still asked to pay more. It is just one more time bettors get a hand stuck in their pockets. They could make the same amount amount of money this increase will produce by cutting purses 1/10th of 1% (just a guess).

Right, but the feigned outrage is really out of control. Is it a good thing? No, unfortunately price increases are a necessary evil.

You would think they made the admission rate $50.

[Stillriledup]

You do understand that the racetrack gets 100% of the $3 admission fee increase and roughly $0.60 of the $3 if it is wagered, right? It's going to have to be churned a few times to make the difference.

They're going to have to make up the money from the customers who just stop going.

[cj]

Right, but the feigned outrage is really out of control. Is it a good thing? No, unfortunately price increases are a necessary evil.

You would think they made the admission rate $50.

It just never ends for bettors. That is why the outrage. We always take the shaft. And no, these increases are not a necessary evil. No racinos charge admission as far as I know. And while Belmont is not a racino, the track is most definitely reaping the benefits of the one at Aqueduct. It is all NYRA, and the casino is subsidizing racing at all three locations. But, we are to believe a price increase is necessary for bettors. Give me a break.

[wiffleball whizz]

Let's see.......

Admission to laurel park $3 valet $5 (though the whizz found way to beat admission)

Maryland live free admission free drinks free parking

Make believe AC racecourse was still racing a full meet.......u can bet horses at casino and drink for free.......


Tracks got some balls charging admission

[Stillriledup]

It just never ends for bettors. That is why the outrage. We always take the shaft. And no, these increases are not a necessary evil. No racinos charge admission as far as I know. And while Belmont is not a racino, the track is most definitely reaping the benefits of the one at Aqueduct. It is all NYRA, and the casino is subsidizing racing at all three locations. But, we are to believe a price increase is necessary for bettors. Give me a break.

Exactly. David Jacobson and other supertrainers and their owners are stuffing their pockets with slots money and not one penny of that is going to "defray costs" they take more and more from the people at the bottom of the food chain.

[Stillriledup]

Let's see.......

Admission to laurel park $3 valet $5 (though the whizz found way to beat admission)

Maryland live free admission free drinks free parking

Make believe AC racecourse was still racing a full meet.......u can bet horses at casino and drink for free.......


Tracks got some balls charging admission

Its incredible, isnt it?

Vegas has free parking AND free admission....ya know, last time i checked.

[letswastemoney]

I'm not sure any price increase will keep away the bad things that go on at a racetrack, but I know I will bet less and be less likely to buy food at the racetrack if the price is too high. If ADW wagering didn't exist, the horse racing industry might collapse altogether from the sky high parking and admission fees, and the also sky high DRF paper edition fee (which I don't use, but I know a lot of you are stuck on DRF), and the slowly degenerating quality of racing.

On a normal day at Santa Anita, after parking, admission, and DRF, the average bettor is already down about $15. It shouldn't affect a handicapper's strategy once the races start, but mentally, all these fees take a toll and could cause someone to bet with less confidence.

[Robert Goren]

How hurting for money can they be when they run 80k MSW races?

[NY BRED]

Aside from the obvious insanity of raising admission fees, and apparently
parking fees (Per the release), this decision benchmarks
the arrogance and stupidity of the people running NYRA.

Want to draw more crowds and increase handle? Why not reduce
the admission and eliminate parking fees to draw the missing
attendance that has consistently decreased at Belmont. BTW,
remember the cost of purchasing the DRF and/or the track program
which probably will increase in price.


I'm uncertain what the effect will be at the SPA, but I'm sure
a lot of those attending will either cut back on their wagering,
or be attracted to internet betting , which ironically could
include the NYRA "rewards" program.

[burnsy]

That's a non sequitur.
Casinos are gambling establishments. I've never been to one that charged me to enter.
Anyway..
I can just see the execs at NYRA explain this...
3,000 people show up at Belmont. 2700 are in the grandstand. The other 300 in the clubhouse.
So....
What was admission? $2/$4?....
So they go from $5400 to $13,500 for the grandstand and from $1200 to $2400 for clubhouse.....Like not having that will break the bank.
Now, race tracks are gambling establishments. Why would the management not want to make sure bettors have as much as possible to run through the windows?

Exactly right. Economically this is a loser move. Is it worth chasing people away for that chump change? Do they realize that the casinos practically PAY YOU to show up? And to average folks that are not horse players.......the track is actually in competition with the casinos. People that want to bet (anything) but don't really care what venue they go to.......keep seeing casinos as a BETTER DEAL. They park you for free, feed you for practically nothing. When we go to Turning Stone, we get a room and one meal for free.....every visit. To someone like my girlfriend, it makes horse racing look like a rip off. She went to Saratoga one day last year....Travers Day. I go almost every day, are they going to hike my seasons pass too? I've been buying one for years, i'm like number 48.....nice way to treat your regulars...........GREAT way to attract casual or new bettors...the right move would be to lower it or do away with it, i guess they like it when 4 grand show up. Its like the state wants to see racing go south, so they come up with ideas like this one. No wonder they took over with "their" people...:bang:

[tzipi]

Clubhouse$8
Grandstand$5

Cheaper then other forms of entertainment.


Not when you're there spending hundreds or thousands betting. I don't get back to my seat at a Ranger game or concert going, "Damn, I just lost $250 on that race." :D

[tzipi]

There is not a single key when you need money.

In this case, one of the problems has to do with improving the quality of the environment of the race track. A very good way to do that is to increase the entrance, getting rid of people with holes in their shoes.

I don't see people at Belmont with holes in their shoes and dirt all over their faces. I see nice people enjoying a day out in the summer. I should pay more to enter and gamble, so racing can weed out one guy with holes in his shoes???

[Tom]

Right, but the feigned outrage is really out of control. Is it a good thing? No, unfortunately price increases are a necessary evil.

You would think they made the admission rate $50.

Any admission/parking for the track is unacceptable.
Do you pay to get into your local diner?
Then pay for a menu?

[JohnGalt1]

Not being a New Yorker, do they offer a player's card for free or reduced admission?

The people who go once a year might pay full price, but shouldn't regulars get a break?

My track Canterbury has player cards for $2 off or free admission, plus free or reduced food depending upon how many points earned betting, and the level of card, bronze, silver, or gold.

[johnhannibalsmith]

I hope they make a few bucks. It probably will come in handy at some point to pay the consultant and fund the study that attempts to explain the decline in attendance.

[Jasonm921]

I hope they make a few bucks. It probably will come in handy at some point to pay the consultant and fund the study that attempts to explain the decline in attendance.


Unfortunately you are right.

[cj]

NYRA budget passes (http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82300/nyra-budget-passes-but-not-without-debate)

...and interestingly enough, the very next article listed below it:

Stakes purses increase (http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82298/minimum-stakes-purse-to-increase-at-aqueduct)

[aaron]

NYRA budget passes (http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82300/nyra-budget-passes-but-not-without-debate)

...and interestingly enough, the very next article listed below it:

Stakes purses increase (http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82298/minimum-stakes-purse-to-increase-at-aqueduct)
What a surprise, purses go up,admission and parking go up,takeout doesn't go down. Guess who doesn't get any benefit. Most trainers and owners are just as clueless as management when it comes to bettors. We are the " suckers"who never get a break.

[tzipi]

NYRA budget passes (http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82300/nyra-budget-passes-but-not-without-debate)

...and interestingly enough, the very next article listed below it:

Stakes purses increase (http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82298/minimum-stakes-purse-to-increase-at-aqueduct)


This past Sunday at Aqueduct we had a $75,000 maiden race, a $70,000 claimer, etc. I have to pay more to get in to the track now because they need money? :confused: :confused: :confused: