Night Racing @BEL — to increase attendance I hear!

[TheOracle]

Looks like they are going to propose Night Racing at Belmont

http://www.drf.com/news/pursuit-new-fans-nyra-seeks-night-racing-belmont

Let’s see if it increases attendance maybe it will work

[Tom]

Kay said that representatives of the Standardbred industry voiced objection to the idea of NYRA being allowed to have night racing, fearing it would adversely impact business, particularly at Yonkers Raceway.

Do a joint program - think outside the box.
Have a Bel-YK-Bel-Yk pick 4.
Belmont gets even numbered races, Yonkers odds.
Use each track to help develop fans for both games.

I'm sure they could come with a few ideas to help both tracks.

A long time ago, FL simulcasted Buffalo Downs races every other race and that is where I got my biggest push to play harness.

[PaceAdvantage]

I don't really get the rationalization for night racing in the link...I mean, tracks were PACKED decades ago...they weren't running at night...and people had jobs back then too, right? :lol:

No, it's not the "people have jobs" thing that is keeping racing down...:rolleyes:

[thaskalos]

I don't really get the rationalization for night racing in the link...I mean, tracks were PACKED decades ago...they weren't running at night...and people had jobs back then too, right? :lol:

No, it's not the "people have jobs" thing that is keeping racing down...:rolleyes:

Maybe the tracks were "packed decades ago" because the casinos were terribly inconvenient to get to. Doesn't the fact that "people have jobs" interfere with their desire to play our game...assuming that there is a "desire" there to begin with?

[Arapola]

The attendance will pick up if the count the "Cricket's!":cool:

[Tom]

I can see Thursday and Friday.
Make them "party" nights.

Saturday would be a mistake.

[davew]

It makes for very long days for workers on the backstretch.

[Tom]

Other tracks manage to do it, and most harness tracks as well.
For a damn sight less money.

[12/ALL/ALL]

My totally uneducated guess on the results of Belmont night racing are:

1) They will eventually realize that they will only get a live gate bump on Friday nights.

2) Once the New York Islanders move in, there will be lots of conflicts with games, concerts, and other events.

3) Some neighborhood group will complain.

4) Senior citizen attendance will fall.

5) West Coast and Vegas simulcast handle will rise dramatically as the late afternoon time slot because of the time difference is much better than the present morning slot.

[TheOracle]

I heard somewhere that it would start on Thursdays not sure if that’s true though