timtam
03-21-2005, 12:05 AM
I journeyed out to western Pa this past weekend (March 19,2005) and went to the sulky track near Pittsburgh called the Meadows. I was there about 15 years ago and had an enjoyable night watching some live racing.
Much to my surprise the parking lot seemed alot darker and dingier than it did years ago. There were really no signs to tell a newcomer where to enter ,where to place bets and where to obtain past performances. I remember the last time there was an entry fee so you lucked out and didn't have to pay to park or enter so I guess you were ahead of the game. I walked in and saw lots of seats with tv sets in front of them. Simulcasting. the savior of racing. I walked around the first floor for a while until I found a small room where 2 ladies were in and asked about past performances etc. I like to see the tip sheets from the local tracks and see if there are any local horses being touted. No tip sheets for the Meadows but the program gives tips i was told. Well after a quick glance I noticed it was the first four choices of the morning line. Live racing here? So far no sign of it. I walked into the grandstand where there was a minute hint of live racing. The grandstand was 1/8th full and i noticed we were about to witness the 4th race. Live racing and it seemed nobody cared. I sat down and watched a few races and there was no enthusiasm at the site at all. I wondered if anybody was even betting these races. I got a slice of pizza and beer and sat by the door way leading to the grandstand figuring I'd watch the race to the windows to get the bets down. With one minute to post not much activity although when it got under 1 minute I did see minor activity to the window but not much. I was getting depressed rapidly. I walked downstairs to the ground or track level to watch one live and there were a few kids running around but not much more activity. When I went back upstairs I noticed the cavernous space on the track level. Yards and yards of concrete just waiting for slot machines to come to this facility and save the place. I left in the 9th race totally disheartened. I'm 54 years old and remember Liberty Bell in its twilight and this seemed errily similiar. Live racing and it seemed nobody cared. I think more people bet the Meadows from my offsite facility in eastern Pa. No tip sheets for the live racing. I only saw a few live tellers with lots of voucher machines and betting machines. This is the Pittsburgh area I think theres more action at Pocono Downs which I consider a step above a track ready to close. Enough sadness for one weekend don't think I'll be going back ..
Much to my surprise the parking lot seemed alot darker and dingier than it did years ago. There were really no signs to tell a newcomer where to enter ,where to place bets and where to obtain past performances. I remember the last time there was an entry fee so you lucked out and didn't have to pay to park or enter so I guess you were ahead of the game. I walked in and saw lots of seats with tv sets in front of them. Simulcasting. the savior of racing. I walked around the first floor for a while until I found a small room where 2 ladies were in and asked about past performances etc. I like to see the tip sheets from the local tracks and see if there are any local horses being touted. No tip sheets for the Meadows but the program gives tips i was told. Well after a quick glance I noticed it was the first four choices of the morning line. Live racing here? So far no sign of it. I walked into the grandstand where there was a minute hint of live racing. The grandstand was 1/8th full and i noticed we were about to witness the 4th race. Live racing and it seemed nobody cared. I sat down and watched a few races and there was no enthusiasm at the site at all. I wondered if anybody was even betting these races. I got a slice of pizza and beer and sat by the door way leading to the grandstand figuring I'd watch the race to the windows to get the bets down. With one minute to post not much activity although when it got under 1 minute I did see minor activity to the window but not much. I was getting depressed rapidly. I walked downstairs to the ground or track level to watch one live and there were a few kids running around but not much more activity. When I went back upstairs I noticed the cavernous space on the track level. Yards and yards of concrete just waiting for slot machines to come to this facility and save the place. I left in the 9th race totally disheartened. I'm 54 years old and remember Liberty Bell in its twilight and this seemed errily similiar. Live racing and it seemed nobody cared. I think more people bet the Meadows from my offsite facility in eastern Pa. No tip sheets for the live racing. I only saw a few live tellers with lots of voucher machines and betting machines. This is the Pittsburgh area I think theres more action at Pocono Downs which I consider a step above a track ready to close. Enough sadness for one weekend don't think I'll be going back ..