Yes, I'm Worried

[Teach]

I'm worried...about Freehold Raceway, that is. I noticed that they carded a race last week with a purse of $2,000. I also know that on tomorrow's Freehold program there are three races with $2,000 purses.

Yes, I'm worried. Are we seeing the slow demise of Freehold Raceway. You rarely see the big names anymore. Of course, Cat Manzi's (he's a fixture) there. However, Cat will opt for Chester if they're runing head to head with Freehold. Yes, Andy Miller's there. Jeff Gregory. But besides those three, there aren't any top-of-the-line drivers. In fact, I don't even recognize the names of some of the drivers on Tuesday's card.

Does anyone on this forum have their finger on the situation in New Jersey? What's going on with the New Jersey Legislature? Yes, I'm worried.

[baseball3109]

Agreed about the drivers. I'm sitting there during the week asking myself who are some of these guys...I think New Jersey is receiving help now but not 100% sure

[wilderness]

This was a Thursday Press release:
http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/news/iss0208/njpursedealclose0207.html

[njcurveball]

Does anyone on this forum have their finger on the situation in New Jersey? What's going on with the New Jersey Legislature? Yes, I'm worried.

If Corzine thinks the casinos will simply "pony up" (pun intended) 120 million for the next 4 years to keep racing strong, then he is dumber than his driver.

Why help your competition? That is how they look at it. The longer they can go choking the tracks down, the more fans will leave. They will drag this out for as long as possible while the tracks suffer.

Why the state legislature doesn't grow a pair and realize that horse racing has given more jobs and done more for the state than the boardwalk cash stealers is a head scratcher to me!

Jim

[thespaah]

I'm worried...about Freehold Raceway, that is. I noticed that they carded a race last week with a purse of $2,000. I also know that on tomorrow's Freehold program there are three races with $2,000 purses.

Yes, I'm worried. Are we seeing the slow demise of Freehold Raceway. You rarely see the big names anymore. Of course, Cat Manzi's (he's a fixture) there. However, Cat will opt for Chester if they're runing head to head with Freehold. Yes, Andy Miller's there. Jeff Gregory. But besides those three, there aren't any top-of-the-line drivers. In fact, I don't even recognize the names of some of the drivers on Tuesday's card.

Does anyone on this forum have their finger on the situation in New Jersey? What's going on with the New Jersey Legislature? Yes, I'm worried.Former NJ resident here....I am ashamed to call my home state new jersey. Over the last 15 -20 years that state's govt has squndered billions of dollars while taxes have gone out of the solar system. Now when the horsemen are in need of a much needed purse boost the state, that owns the two largetst tracks, says "screw you", we'd rather grease the palm of some union boss or throw money at an urban renewal project that will look like $hit in ten years. NJ is perhaps the most corrupt state in the country. The money comes on and just disappears. Nothng gets done. Infrastructure in some areas is crumbling. The state, county and municipal worker unions keep demanding more and more for their already grossly overpaid employees.
Does the state of horse racing in NJ really come as a surprise?

[thespaah]

If Corzine thinks the casinos will simply "pony up" (pun intended) 120 million for the next 4 years to keep racing strong, then he is dumber than his driver.

Why help your competition? That is how they look at it. The longer they can go choking the tracks down, the more fans will leave. They will drag this out for as long as possible while the tracks suffer.

Why the state legislature doesn't grow a pair and realize that horse racing has given more jobs and done more for the state than the boardwalk cash stealers is a head scratcher to me!

Jimthis is another pile of lunacy...Every state surrounding NJ has some form of OTB..Now I do know there are a few shops in NJ. But from what I understand many towns in NJ absolutely refuse to have one in their midst. Additionally ,correct me if I am wrong but it is it not true that the casinos CANNOT offer wagering on horse racing?...

[badcompany]

Additionally ,correct me if I am wrong but it is it not true that the casinos CANNOT offer wagering on horse racing?...

This is wrong. Bally's and a few others have horse racing rooms.

[njcurveball]

this is another pile of lunacy...Every state surrounding NJ has some form of OTB..Now I do know there are a few shops in NJ. But from what I understand many towns in NJ absolutely refuse to have one in their midst. Additionally ,correct me if I am wrong but it is it not true that the casinos CANNOT offer wagering on horse racing?...

Casinos all have the option of simulcasting. Some do a good job, Borgata and Caesars. Others choose not to do it, instead using the space for Slot machines or poker.

Bottom line is that casinos are in a position to do much more in terms of profit with a slot machine than with a betting window. The exception would be if they had some big bettors. I think at one time Resorts had a special room for big bettors (perhaps sheet players). It has been a while since I have been over there.

As towns refusing to have an OTB, Toms River has been fighting one for a year or more. So you are right on with that!

Jim

[melman]

I also believe that New Jersey is a state that forces at home players to use ONLY there betting platform (4NJBETS), which many have said is a second rate operation.

[njcurveball]

I also believe that New Jersey is a state that forces at home players to use ONLY there betting platform (4NJBETS), which many have said is a second rate operation.

OH MAN I WISH! LOL!

They recently went to a new company, Scientific Games, who basically has chased many of the players away. How bad are they? It has been 4 months and they still do not have the phone bet part working. They still have not fixed the problems with the on-line part either.

If run properly, the state could do over a million or more on weekdays and much more than than that on weekends.

Last estimate I heard was that they were lucky to do 100,000 a day. Some pf the people I know who had accounts, simply have given up on that site now.

They had an on-line tourney last year, this year no way with the new company!

Many "in the know" have told me their worst nightmare was Scientific Games getting the contract. :ThmbDown:

Jim

[thespaah]

This is wrong. Bally's and a few others have horse racing rooms.Thanks for the correction. I am wondering how things have gotten to this state..
NJ used to be the proud home to the best in Standardbred racing in the country.

[njcurveball]

I also believe that New Jersey is a state that forces at home players to use ONLY there betting platform (4NJBETS), which many have said is a second rate operation.


Sorry I read this wrong. You are 100% correct, we cannot bet with any other on-line service legally.

I thought you meant 4NJBETS actually cared enough to make people use this service. Which of course, they could care less.

Totally second rate operation from the company they chose, Scientific Games, to the people running it. :ThmbDown:

My mistake.

Jim

[badcompany]

Why help your competition? That is how they look at it. The longer they can go choking the tracks down, the more fans will leave. They will drag this out for as long as possible while the tracks suffer.


Jim

With slots accounting for ~75% of casino revenues, is there really a competition between casinos and tracks? Say what you want about horseplayers but, at least, want to use their brains when they gamble.

I can't see anyone who gives up horses subsequently sitting mindlessly in front of a slot machine.

[bellpics]

I think it is very sad the way horse racing has faded of late. In both flats and trots.

I LOVE trots. I also LOVE flats. Betting and following horses is my life. Since I was 18 I dreamed of becoming a harness driver. Yet, noone ever gave me the break I needed to even start my dream. Moreover, I always wanted my own business of picking horses. Again, never got it off the ground.

Tracks are suffering. I do not know why the handles are so small. Guess I am old as many of the big names of retired.

Do you all think horse racing will ever really vamp up again? Why is it the people
look down at horse players except on Derby day or something like that. But, to me it is not just a hobby or sport. I take it seriously and respect and admire those in the field.

Remember it is called the King of Sports for a reason.

by the way..I LOVE this forum. I plan to visit this as often as I can when I am at work and my work is up to date. I like to play the horses M-F each day. though if I have no plays I follow them anyhow.

Anyhow, back to topic. Somehow horse racing has to get people all enthu
siastic again.

any ideas folks?

GLEN

[wilderness]

Here ya are Glen!

from the Sept 15, 1927 Trotter and Pacer magazine:

Colts Star at Charter Oak
HARTFORD, CONN., Sept. 7.
IT was the colts that delivered the speed during the three days racing which concluded at the Connecticut State Fair today. The aged classes drew mainly locally trained horses but the two and threeyear-old trots and three-year-old pace brought some stars from out of the state.
Ed Kirby won the two-year-old trot with Plucky and the three-year-old pace with Ace High. Both won handily. Hal Erwin took the three-year-old trot with Marcia K. and turned in the fastest miles of the, week with the filly.
The local sportsman, John A. Pilgard, won two good races with Miss Ettie and Hartford Queen. Michael W. Delaney of Cherry Park officiated as starter.

(uncharted results omitted due to formatting issues [table creation required])

The Round-up in Connecticut
THREE big weeks loom for the season-end in Connecticut, commencing with the most excellent five-day Danbury Fair of October 3-7, where Secretary George M. Rundle has arranged a series of $750 events to close Tuesday, September 20, the Danbury Fair to be followed by the 59th annual Stafford Springs Fair of October 12-14, after which will come the popular Indian Summer session at Sage Park, Windsor; October 18-21. Stafford Springs also follows the fair at Brockton, Mass.
All three of the Connecticut meetings have conditioned their races on the three-beat plan, making for sharp racing and no long-drawn-out or carried-over contests. All three meetings are under most efficient managements; and in all the season's campaigns there are no more popular meetings than the Danbury- Stafford SpringWindsor sessions.
Entries for the Stafford Springs and Windsor meetings close on Monday, October 3, this being the first day of the meetings at Brockton and Danbury.

[thespaah]

I think it is very sad the way horse racing has faded of late. In both flats and trots.

I LOVE trots. I also LOVE flats. Betting and following horses is my life. Since I was 18 I dreamed of becoming a harness driver. Yet, noone ever gave me the break I needed to even start my dream. Moreover, I always wanted my own business of picking horses. Again, never got it off the ground.

Tracks are suffering. I do not know why the handles are so small. Guess I am old as many of the big names of retired.

Do you all think horse racing will ever really vamp up again? Why is it the people
look down at horse players except on Derby day or something like that. But, to me it is not just a hobby or sport. I take it seriously and respect and admire those in the field.

Remember it is called the King of Sports for a reason.

by the way..I LOVE this forum. I plan to visit this as often as I can when I am at work and my work is up to date. I like to play the horses M-F each day. though if I have no plays I follow them anyhow.

Anyhow, back to topic. Somehow horse racing has to get people all enthu
siastic again.

any ideas folks?

GLENFirst an agressive marketing campaign towards peole in their teens and 20's. Second, the development and implementation of a single, nationwide racing authority repsonsible for licensure of backstretch personnel, jocks, trainers owners and breeders. Third. A single nationwide wagering authority with cooperation from the States. Sort of like how our federal govt stays out of state issues but has authority over interstate issues. Yes, that one is a bit shaky.