Hollywood Park closing: The solution

[fishorsechess]

I was wondering how many S. Calif racegoers think this is a good
idea. They should sell all the Hollywood Park property(which alot
of it is parking lot space) EXCEPT the casino where they play
cards and just keep in tact part of it for satelite wagering. Because
if they sell all of it people in my part of town the westside of
Los Angeles will have no close by wagering facillity.

[ratpack]

The reason I think it is a good idea is because CD has had this in mind for some time and has not maintained HOL very well, so a move to Cypress or a redistribution of the race dates to SA, Dmr and Fpx would be better than letting Hol continue to deteriorate.

I had always assumed they would keep the casino part although the racebook is very small and I am not sure it could handle the overflow when and if the track the closes so some remodel may be in order.

[so.cal.fan]

It doesn't matter what we think, fish and rat.......Churchill Downs apparently wants OUT of Calif. racing, for whatever reason.
They WILL or already have SOLD the property.
I seriously doubt they have ANY intention of rebuilding a track, I'm not sure about the casino....I think R.D. Hubbard still either owns or leases it.
I'm not sure if they could be an off track betting site.......other card clubs aren't. Indian Casinos, yes, but that's about it......but I'm not really sure about the legal issue here.
I think what will happen, and it's only a guess, is that Santa Anita will get dates (sooner than later) day after Christmas until the end of May. Then Del Mar will get June thru Labor Day. They will have to do something about the Fair that is run in June....that's a problem, but they will solve it.
After Labor Day until the end of year, with the exception of the leased Oak Tree meet in October will be up for grabs, perhaps a new enlarged Los Alamitos. I'm not sure about Fairplex......this is a mystery.....will they even continue the fair meet there? I just don't know at this point.
One thing I am fairly sure of is that whoever purchases the Hollywood Park property for appox. $300,000,000 is not going to just patiently wait until horseracing decides when to move elsewhere. They won't give a rat's ass and at this point, either will Churchill Downs.

[ratpack]

You are right about that, whoever does take ownership is not going to wait 2 years for Horseracing to make up its mind.

What will happen is that the dates will move to SA and Dmr temp until a permenant decision is made and if that decision is Los Al then then meet will stay at SA and Dmr until Los Al is completed.

[so.cal.fan]

Yep, I think you're right Chris.
Except for one thing.....your idea makes SENSE. When do THEY ever do anything that makes sense?????? :bang:

[ratpack]

Yep, I think you're right Chris.
Except for one thing.....your idea makes SENSE. When do THEY ever do anything that makes sense?????? :bang:

That's true except they are not going to let those race dates go unused, they need the tax revenue. So I don't care what kind of bluster Magna spouts if the CHRB needs SA to run the dates they will run the dates

[so.cal.fan]

I agree, Chris.
They will force Stronach to run those dates or take away his. He's powerful, but not as powerful as Arnold.
My only question is: how will the SA turf course hold up under all those extra days?

[TurfRuler]

I was wondering how many S. Calif racegoers think this is a good
idea. They should sell all the Hollywood Park property(which alot
of it is parking lot space) EXCEPT the casino where they play
cards and just keep in tact part of it for satelite wagering. Because
if they sell all of it people in my part of town the westside of
Los Angeles will have no close by wagering facillity.

This is a valid question for racing fans in the part of Los Angeles with no convient place to wager. Back in the day when you could only play at the racetrack, when Santa Anita or Del Mar was running you had to travel there to play. Everyone does not want a telephone account and would prefer some place like a wagering offtrack betting parlor. If you missed the article at bloodhorse here is the link.

http://opinions.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=27282

[so.cal.fan]

Damn right it's a valid point. I have friends who go to Hollywood everyday there is racing to bet....if it closed they would not be able to travel far to play.
It is a big concern and one that must be addressed by the CHRB.
I am hoping they will leave the casino open for simulcast betting.

[ratpack]

That is a good question.

Is it legal to keep the Simulcast facility at the Hol Casino if the track is gone?

But why would it be? Why not put a simulcast facility in the Commerce Card club or Bell Club.