CDI Is Coming After You Again - Takeout Hike at Fair Grounds?

[DeanT]

http://www.theneworleansadvocate.com/sports/9167098-171/states-horsemen-accept-fair-grounds

Down the road, Bryant said CDI would be interested in discussing cutting racing days and increasing the track’s takeout on bets, something that takes the legislature’s approval

For an overview of the CD takeout hike numbers, Frank Angst wrote this today in the Bloodhorse.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/85190/hana-reports-19m-churchill-handle-decline

HANA Reports $19M Churchill Handle Decline



A horseplayers group that organized a protest of Churchill Downs (http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/racetracks/10/churchill-downs) racetrack after a takeout increase was announced before the Louisville track's spring meeting, reports handle is down $19.3 million through the first 14 race days.
Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/85190/hana-reports-19m-churchill-handle-decline#ixzz32IUSyIOc

[cj]

Makes sense, it has worked out so well for them already.

[DeanT]

It makes you wonder, CJ. They're getting skewered for the first hike and then an exec says "let's do it again" to a newspaper. WTH?

This on the heels of their other exec (I lose track) saying this about the Fair Grounds.

In spite of having more than 600 slot machines at the track, the turf course has been unusable more often than not the past two seasons due to poor drainage. The infield video screen broke and wasn’t repaired. Rep. Helene Moreno, according to NOLA.com, the digital component of the New Orleans Times Picayune, toured the barn area and was critical of the sub-standard conditions. One stall had an eight-inch dip in the middle.

The responses of Austin Miller, CDI’s senior vice president of gaming operations, are revealing of the company attitude. Miller said if the turf course isn’t suitable for racing, horses and horsemen should adapt. “They all train on dirt. They should be able to run on dirt.”


I am completely flabbergasted.

[whodoyoulike]

I feel much better now!!

... In return, Bryant said he hoped the LHBPA would assist in persuading many of the out-of-state owners and trainers who had expressed displeasure with the track conditions to return to the Fair Grounds this fall. ...

Wasn't it his actions which drove them away? Someone has balls.

... Down the road, Bryant said CDI would be interested in discussing cutting racing days and increasing the track’s takeout on bets, something that takes the legislature’s approval, and having 24 hours of slots operations instead of closing at midnight. That would fall under the city’s authority. ...

Also for transparency, I hope they publicly identify which Legislator(s) sponsors the bill and who helps them draft it.

[Stillriledup]

I feel much better now!!



Wasn't it his actions which drove them away? Someone has balls.



Also for transparency, I hope they publicly identify which Legislator(s) sponsors the bill and who helps them draft it.

Nobody is close to these people in the "bad for racing" dept.

Its disgusting.

I'm counting the minutes to having Tom come in this thread and call them names.

Tom? :D

[proximity]

Nobody is close to these people in the "bad for racing" dept.



let's give an honorable mention though to maryland for specifically targeting the regular everyday player though by (a) having special preakness weekend only deals with the adws that significantly reduced or eliminated rebates for these days and (b) completely turning off your own on track player's card program for these days, showing how much you value wiffleball whizz and the other five regulars that bet full card simulcasting at pimlico. very nice. :rolleyes:

[Dark Horse]

Not betting there anyway. I'm already boycotting that track.

[johnhannibalsmith]

I vote it go up to at least 50% at all CDI owned real estate locations.

[Stillriledup]

let's give an honorable mention though to maryland for specifically targeting the regular everyday player though by (a) having special preakness weekend only deals with the adws that significantly reduced or eliminated rebates for these days and (b) completely turning off your own on track player's card program for these days, showing how much you value wiffleball whizz and the other five regulars that bet full card simulcasting at pimlico. very nice. :rolleyes:

Maybe if Whizz was "De horsemen" Stronach would have treated him better.

[SandyW]

Maybe it is time we start supporting harness racing.
The Meadowlands under the new owner Jeff Gural is about as customer friendly as you can be and without slots.
Low takeouts and increased handle proves they know how to bring the customers in.

[Exotic1]

It makes you wonder, CJ. They're getting skewered for the first hike and then an exec says "let's do it again" to a newspaper. WTH?

This on the heels of their other exec (I lose track) saying this about the Fair Grounds.



I am completely flabbergasted.

I'm volunteering Cj, Jeff P., Dean T., Thask to start a dialog with CDI to see if there is a workaround. I know, I'm naive and a few other adjectives but is it possible CDI would engage your group and have a sit down at corporate somewhere? It can't hurt their cause, they can always say they gave it a shot. These guys are above making the first move.

Here's the logistics. They pay for 1st class travel, hotel ... You guys are going to need security, SRU can handle that. You meet at corporate where you present some options and schedule a follow up where the numbers will be crunched. Dean T. knows his way around a set of financials and knows the business. They'll need to cut costs a bit and you guys can show how a reduced takeout would actually generate more revenue. Bring in Saratoga Mike to help with the financials. This board is full of qualified people that you can draw on.

There is no volunteering here. You guys need to get paid serious money with incentives built in based on bottom line performance.

Is this such a bad idea? Met my ramble quota for the day, sorry for the intrusion.

[whodoyoulike]

... Here's the logistics. They pay for 1st class travel, hotel ... You guys are going to need security, SRU can handle that. You meet at corporate where you present some options and schedule a follow up where the numbers will be crunched. Dean T. knows his way around a set of financials and knows the business. They'll need to cut costs a bit and you guys can show how a reduced takeout would actually generate more revenue. Bring in Saratoga Mike to help with the financials. This board is full of qualified people that you can draw on.

There is no volunteering here. You guys need to get paid serious money with incentives built in based on bottom line performance.

Is this such a bad idea?...

CDI will have to ask for an additional take out increase to cover the additional expenses.

... show how a reduced takeout would actually generate more revenue. ...

Didn't Jeff P try this with the California Commission? And, everyone saw how receptive they were to the idea. I wonder if Jeff's presentation was before or after their morning coffee?

[Exotic1]

CDI will have to ask for an additional take out increase to cover the additional expenses.



Didn't Jeff P try this with the California Commission? And, everyone saw how receptive they were to the idea. I wonder if Jeff's presentation was before or after their morning coffee?

Good come back. That is funny, but I'm trying.

[ronsmac]

Why anyone would bet a dime on any of their tracks is beyond me.

[parlay]

i bet 20% on FG compared to GP this year, takeout was only one of the reasons. i used to love playing FG but this year the cards were terrible. Tampa got less play as well. Oaklawn got lots of action.
This year i gave the cards at FG a quick glance and moved on, i always looked forward to this meet. Too many "off the turf", short fields etc. Better choices elsewhere. GP made a comeback this year, most cards were playable.

[whodoyoulike]

Why anyone would bet a dime on any of their tracks is beyond me.

There was an article which I linked in another thread which showed during the first week up until the Derby, people spent and or bet about 1/4 $billion (but, it was slightly down from last year). But, the attendance increased over from last year's Derby week time period.

I vote it go up to at least 50% at all CDI owned real estate locations.

Be careful what you wish for after all they probably read this forum site and they will probably think they are doing exactly what every bettor really wants. Thanks a lot johnhannibalsmith!!!

[johnhannibalsmith]

...
Be careful what you wish for after all they probably read this forum site and they will probably think they are doing exactly what every bettor really wants. Thanks a lot johnhannibalsmith!!!

Ha, sorry... I'm one of those guys that has to rip the Band-Aid off really fast.

[proximity]

Didn't Jeff P try this with the California Commission? And, everyone saw how receptive they were to the idea. I wonder if Jeff's presentation was before or after their morning coffee?

hope jeff at least got to meet bo derek while he was there!!

[DeanT]

I'm volunteering Cj, Jeff P., Dean T., Thask to start a dialog with CDI to see if there is a workaround.

Some funny stuff there. Security would be needed lol.

Jeff actually used to speak with those guys and they took his calls, I think. Now? I bet there's a big bullseye looking thing with Jeff's head x'd out at the front gate :)

[Exotic1]

Some funny stuff there. Security would be needed lol.

Jeff actually used to speak with those guys and they took his calls, I think. Now? I bet there's a big bullseye looking thing with Jeff's head x'd out at the front gate :)

All I can say is a big big thank you to you and Jeff for all the time and effort you put into this and other HANA projects.

[Stillriledup]

Some funny stuff there. Security would be needed lol.

Jeff actually used to speak with those guys and they took his calls, I think. Now? I bet there's a big bullseye looking thing with Jeff's head x'd out at the front gate :)

Is there ANY proof that they think horseplayers are at all above slots and lottery players on the intelligence level and is there any proof that they think horse betting is actually a game of skill and is "different" from pulling a lever?

[Cholly]

Is there ANY proof that they think horseplayers are at all above slots and lottery players on the intelligence level and is there any proof that they think horse betting is actually a game of skill and is "different" from pulling a lever?
Is there any proof that horseplayers ARE above slots and lottery players on the intelligence level?

[Seabiscuit@AR]

CDI are probably thinking they have nothing to lose by raising takeout at all their tracks

If they raise the takeout they either collect more money or they collect less money and kill off the racing. Once they kill off the racing they can really cash in by turning the racetrack real estate into higher ROI casino real estate

[Stillriledup]

Is there any proof that horseplayers ARE above slots and lottery players on the intelligence level?

Yeah, i think there's some proof.

Right? :D

[DeanT]

Is there any proof that horseplayers ARE above slots and lottery players on the intelligence level?

Sure there is! We're pretty smart..... well present company excluded if you've seen some of my bets lately :)

Here's a neat piece on "those brainy horseplayers" http://thorotrends.com/news-and-views/50-blog/77-those-brainy-horseplayers

[Tom]

OK, I gotta smarten up here.
Instead of a list of tracks I will not play, I need a list of those I will.
It will be a lot shorter.

Poker couldn't have a better friend than racing.:rolleyes:

[Valuist]

Is there any proof that horseplayers ARE above slots and lottery players on the intelligence level?

The mere fact that we don't play slots and lottery is more than enough evidence.

[Jeff P]

OK, I gotta smarten up here.
Instead of a list of tracks I will not play, I need a list of those I will.
It will be a lot shorter.

Poker couldn't have a better friend than racing.:rolleyes:

Funny you should ask... Here's a direct cut and paste from the bottom of the page showing the May 18 2014 Handle Update at PlayersBoycott.org: (http://www.playersboycott.org/handleupdate05182014.html)

Tracks you may want to check out this weekend:

• Woodbine: 14.95% WIN takeout

• Belmont: 16.0% takeout WPS 18.50% takeout Exactas and Doubles 15.0% takeout 50 cent Pick5 races 1-5 (arguably the most insightful pre-race TV analysis of any track out there.)

• Santa Anita: 15.43% takeout WPS 18.0% takeout rolling Doubles 14.0% takeout 50 cent Pick5 races 1-5.

• Gulfstream: 15.0% takeout 50 cent Pick5

• Hastings Park: 15.0% takeout WPS, Double, Pick3, Pick4, and Pick5

• Northlands Park: 14.50% takeout WPS 10.0% takeout Pick5 (the LOWEST WPS and Pick5 takeout of any track in North America)

• Prairie Meadows: 15.0% takeout 50 cent Pick4

• Monmouth: 19.0% takeout Exacta and Double 15.0% takeout 50 cent Pick4 and Pick5


And then immediately below that:

• NEW! Printable Takeout Guide for your Wallet! click here (http://www.playersboycott.org/TakeoutGuideWallet.pdf)


• NEW! Printable Takeout Guide for your Desk! click here (http://www.playersboycott.org/TakeoutGuideDesk.pdf)

These two printable PDF charts point out, at a glance, Player friendly wagers available at North American thoroughbred tracks. "Player friendly" is defined as less than 17% for WPS and less than 20% for all other wagers. Focusing wagering handle on these pools is a way to send the message to all tracks that lower takeout rate wagers will be supported and that lowering takeout rates on all wagers is the most efficient path to future wagering handle growth. Please also note that while several wager types for Arlington and Calder appear on the list at this time we recommend avoiding them during the boycott of their parent company, Churchill Downs Incorporated.




-jp


.

[Tom]

Cool, Jeff.
I do spend my money at Woodbine and Prairie Meadows, as well as Belmont turf.

[1st time lasix]

Thanks Jeff....confirms my ongoing play already. Appreciate all the work you do on the player's behalf. Supporting your CD boycott with my personal handle. I was quite shocked to see what Pimlico was taking from their exotic pools last weekend.

[cj]

Is there any proof that horseplayers ARE above slots and lottery players on the intelligence level?

Churchill's handle this meet?

[DeanT]

Seeing a lot more of these type comments (before Dave Shwartz was one here at Pace) lately. On email and publicly.

https://twitter.com/gradedstakes/status/469136150427607040

[Stillriledup]

Seeing a lot more of these type comments (before Dave Shwartz was one here at Pace) lately. On email and publicly.

https://twitter.com/gradedstakes/status/469136150427607040

Do we have "crickets" from trainers, jocks and owners?

Why wouldn't there be pressure from these groups, they're losing money hand over fist, are they just ok with it? Does a top jock or trainer at Churchill just sit back and have no interest in saving their industry? Or, is that just up to the bettors to do all the work at "saving" THEIR game?

[DeanT]

Do we have "crickets" from trainers, jocks and owners?

Why wouldn't there be pressure from these groups, they're losing money hand over fist, are they just ok with it? Does a top jock or trainer at Churchill just sit back and have no interest in saving their industry? Or, is that just up to the bettors to do all the work at "saving" THEIR game?

No, there is some rumbling by the masses - i.e. owners and trainers and breeders.

Steve Zorn who most know from NYRA.

https://twitter.com/CVFPartnerships/statuses/468950061968547842

Craig Bernick is a President of Glen Hill Farm

https://twitter.com/craigb1818/statuses/468884955666595841

There are others.

There are people out there talking; some of whom you'd never expect to be talking.

[taxicab]

This one has me puzzled.
It's like CD is purposely trying to tick off every single person/group they possibly can.
Considering they depend on so many to make their product go......isn't their approach bad business ?
What am I missing here ?

[Stillriledup]

This one has me puzzled.
It's like CD is purposely trying to tick off every single person/group they possibly can.
Considering they depend on so many to make their product go......isn't their approach bad business ?
What am I missing here ?

They're the Justin Bieber of horse racing.

[taxicab]

They're the Justin Bieber of horse racing.

Good Canadian teenage pop star knowledge. :cool:

[Stillriledup]

Good Canadian teenage pop star knowledge. :cool:

I'm well rounded. :D