Delta Downs

[Figman]

Big card Saturday night including a $1 million two year old race. But no matter how much money they give away this is a "bush league" racetrack. Read this:

Track timing still done by hand

Delta Downs has made several upgrades to its facility since adding slots, but it still times its races the old-fashioned way. The track has not yet installed an electronic timing system, which means all of its Thoroughbred races are hand-timed.

"We've talked about putting in a timing system," said its GM-Warren. "The reason we've delayed it is the cost involved, and the amount of groundwork with the racetrack to do it. We are contemplating putting in a new [one-mile] racetrack, and we've been advised that if you're going to do a whole new racetrack and spend all this money, it would be better off to wait and install it then."

[ElKabong]

Two yrs ago, after they turned on the $lot machine$, they had a glitch that screwed a lotta bettors out of their money. They never had attatched race numbers to horses bridles (on right side, to help stewards looking at photo finishes).....Anyways, one race 2 yrs ago the stews awarded the wrong horse the nod in the photo.

The track didn't recognize its error till a week or few later....The owner of the winner was awarded his $$. Of course most bettors tossed their losing tix, so they were screwed lol.

They've since corrected their "error" and attatch race#'s to bridles, but only after being the laughingstock of racing.

The place runs horses for one reason....to stay eligible to run those slots 12 months a yr :rolleyes: If Texas ever passes slots (and it has a slight chance to do so soon), Delta will be finito.

[ranchwest]

My cousin had a horse run at DeD one night many years ago and she showed me the pic. She knew it was her horse who had won because it was the only horse with a shadow roll, but they gave the win to another horse. She won and still lost. She was not a happy camper.

[breakage]

Geez.....I didn't know they hand timed their races. I guess next time I'm bored and throw a few dollars on their races I need to realize the times are next to meaningless (kind of like workout times). Can't believe they throw away millions running this ridiculous 2year old race and they can't spring for a timing system. To me this is no less than just crapping on the bettor by saying this is good enough, take it or leave it.......... I think next time I think about sending a few dollars their way I'll find something else to do.

[schweitz]

I was at Delta a couple of weeks ago (for the racing, not the casino) and have always done well with my wagers there. Since my visit last year they have completely re-done the casino and are building a hotel on the property. I'm guessing many who go there aren't aware of the race track out back.

[BillW]

Originally posted by breakage
Can't believe they throw away millions running this ridiculous 2year old race and they can't spring for a timing system. To me this is no less than just crapping on the bettor by saying this is good enough, take it or leave it.......... I think next time I think about sending a few dollars their way I'll find something else to do.

breakage,

I would imagine it is a business decision. The $1 Mil race probably gives them a better return (in PR/Advertising) than a 30 sec. spot during the Super Bowl while spending money on the timing system would return little.

Bill

[ranchwest]

Originally posted by schweitz
I was at Delta a couple of weeks ago (for the racing, not the casino) and have always done well with my wagers there. Since my visit last year they have completely re-done the casino and are building a hotel on the property. I'm guessing many who go there aren't aware of the race track out back.

For live racing, it would be pretty difficult to miss the racetrack. Those lights out there in the middle of nowhere are pretty bright.

[schweitz]

Originally posted by ranchwest
For live racing, it would be pretty difficult to miss the racetrack. Those lights out there in the middle of nowhere are pretty bright.

Yea, the lights would sure help a newby find the place at night.

[garyoz]

I heard on TVG that the Delta Jackpot will be a Grade 3 next year. Pretty funny having a graded stakes race on a 6 furlong track with hand timing. That aside, I've not played Delta much, but when I have, I've liked playing it, relatively formful.

[BillW]

Originally posted by garyoz
I heard on TVG that the Delta Jackpot will be a Grade 3 next year. Pretty funny having a graded stakes race on a 6 furlong track with hand timing. That aside, I've not played Delta much, but when I have, I've liked playing it, relatively formful.

Timing is an Equibase issue, not a track issue (just as keeping track of batting averages is not a requirement to complete a major league baseball game). A race can be run without any timing at all. All that is needed is that they can spring the gate and take the photo.

Bill

[cj]

If they stopped timing races, how many people would still play?

[Figman]

Bill W
That is not true under NY Racing and Wagering Board rules. It is a track issue:

4110.1. Timing.

Unless specifically exempted by the commission, in every race including every qualifying race, the time of each heat or dash shall be accurately taken by an electrical timing device approved by the commission. There shall be one manual timer in addition to the operator of such electrical device.

[BillW]

Originally posted by Figman
Bill W
That is not true under NY Racing and Wagering Board rules. It is a track issue:

4110.1. Timing.

Unless specifically exempted by the commission, in every race including every qualifying race, the time of each heat or dash shall be accurately taken by an electrical timing device approved by the commission. There shall be one manual timer in addition to the operator of such electrical device.

Figman,

Interesting, I didn't realize that (and don't understand the need?). In any case even in NY a Grade I can be run with a guy with a stopwatch standing at the finishline. Is there any provision for the manual back-up failing - i.e. the race being declared a non-start just because they don't know the time?

Craig - no doubt the tracks to have motivation for supporting the data gathering. :)

Bill

[Figman]

The need in NY is that they have seven harness racing tracks. If a harness horse has not raced the past 30 days it has to qualify in non-betting races (qualifiers)where the horse must prove its current ability to maintain its proper pacing or trotting gait and do so within a set time (thus the need for accurate timing). The qualifying time standard is set by the racing secretary and enforced by the judges. The backup in NY harness racing to the automatic timer is that it is the duty of one of the three judges to hand-time each and every race.

In the thoroughbreds in NY the closed circuit television, timing and photo finish systems are all integrated. I know there is a manual backup but I am not positively sure how it works. But I will find out who is responsible and report back.

[BillW]

Originally posted by Figman
The need in NY is that they have seven harness racing tracks. If a harness horse has not raced the past 30 days it has to qualify in non-betting races (qualifiers)where the horse must prove its current ability to maintain its proper pacing or trotting gait and do so within a set time (thus the need for accurate timing). The qualifying time standard is set by the racing secretary and enforced by the judges. The backup in NY harness racing to the automatic timer is that it is the duty of one of the three judges to hand-time each and every race.

In the thoroughbreds in NY the closed circuit television, timing and photo finish systems are all integrated. I know there is a manual backup but I am not positively sure how it works. But I will find out who is responsible and report back.

I appreciate the info Figman - the harness qualifying is one of those non-obvious things to us "outsiders" - at least for the TB only fans:)

Bill

[Steve 'StatMan']

Originally posted by cj
If they stopped timing races, how many people would still play?

Good question.

The old time class handicappers 'time only matters when your in jail' would still be around, and trip handicapping would still be important.

I'm sure there would be enough serious handicappers like ourselves, as well as service providers, that would time the works off the replays (electronically or manually), to make hopefully reasonable figures.