Churchill Downs Friday Night Racing

[dutzman]

This one folks, is unbelievable. Churchill Downs is going to charge patrons $10 for admission on their Friday night racing days this summer. I live in Louisville and was pumped up for a couple Friday night racing days at Churchill this summer. I really thought they could bring in a nice crowd, as their Friday Happy Hours have done well in the past.

When I read this I couldn't believe it. Are they really THAT clueless? I mean, come on! Open the gates and let the people in for free!

I almost feel like organizing a boycott here in Louisville, but for some reason I have a funny feeling that won't be needed!

[fmolf]

This one folks, is unbelievable. Churchill Downs is going to charge patrons $10 for admission on their Friday night racing days this summer. I live in Louisville and was pumped up for a couple Friday night racing days at Churchill this summer. I really thought they could bring in a nice crowd, as their Friday Happy Hours have done well in the past.

When I read this I couldn't believe it. Are they really THAT clueless? I mean, come on! Open the gates and let the people in for free!

I almost feel like organizing a boycott here in Louisville, but for some reason I have a funny feeling that won't be needed!
they should hit the double and raise the takeout too :bang: they are greedy and clueless! :mad:

[rrbauer]

What do you get for the $10 besides admission? I have no dog in this fight but are there some extras that come into play like food vouchers, drinks, etc.?

[dutzman]

What do you get for the $10 besides admission? I have no dog in this fight but are there some extras that come into play like food vouchers, drinks, etc.?


As far as I know, you get nothing. $10 gets you in the door. Seems crazy to me. I drove up to Turfway for the Lane's End back in March and it was $10 to get in the door also. Caught me off guard then, but at least they had some stakes races. They way the first couple days at CD looked, I can only imagine the races they field a month and a half from now. Having to pay $10 to see 10 6-7 horse fields with maybe an 8 or 9er thrown in, is unfathomable.

[Relwob Owner]

As far as I know, you get nothing. $10 gets you in the door. Seems crazy to me. I drove up to Turfway for the Lane's End back in March and it was $10 to get in the door also. Caught me off guard then, but at least they had some stakes races. They way the first couple days at CD looked, I can only imagine the races they field a month and a half from now. Having to pay $10 to see 10 6-7 horse fields with maybe an 8 or 9er thrown in, is unfathomable.


I mean, is there any industry that has people making poorer decisions than horse racing? Charging 10 bucks is absurd....it is so typical that they actually make a good decision by trying night racing and following up with a ridiculous one and charging 10 bucks.....

[sandpit]

I think that with the night racing they are trying to attract people that have never been to the races who don't know any better and would think that $10 is the normal cost to get in the place. What a rude awakening they are in for when they get there and see the regular $3 admission signs, which I bet get taken down before they open the gates.
If you have a twin spires card, they will let you in for a $1, I think.
To answer the what else do you get, they are planning on having $1 beers and hot dogs, but they were already doing that for twilight Fridays anyway.
I see a couple of things possibly happening:
1. The bad publicity causes them to either lower or rescind the $10 charge
2. Keeping the $10 entry fee, but giving people that pay a voucher to get in free for all the other Friday night cards.

One thing is for certain, whoever came up with this moronic idea will likely get a pay raise and a promotion.

I would have loved to see the public reaction if this $10 thing was kept completely under wraps until the first Friday night...

Hell, I think Hollywood only charges $7 for their Friday nights, and at least once a year they have a group of bikini clad girl race for the fans enjoyment.http://paceadvantage.com/forum/images/UBGX/I9.gif

[CBedo]

What's the normal admission cost at CD?

[Tom]

Finger Lakes...free parking and free admission all the time.

Which one is the bush league track? :D

Is everyone in KY a greedy bastard?

[Relwob Owner]

Finger Lakes...free parking and free admission all the time.

Which one is the bush league track? :D

Is everyone in KY a greedy bastard?


I think charging admission at this point for horse racing is absurd.....why not offer it free, advertise it is free(people love anything for free) and get people into the track so they see what horse racing is all about.....I would venture to say from a cost effectiveness standpoint, the track would come out ahead in the long run with free admission....

[Thomas Roulston]

But night racing isn't the only new innovation at Churchill Downs this year: The total purse for each overnight race now depends on the size of the field - the bigger the field, the bigger the purse, in that 60% of the base purse goes to the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth, and 0.5% for each other finisher (and, as at NYRA, DNF's receive nothing).

Which means that in a 12-horse field, 101.5% of the stated value of the purse is given out, while in a 6-horse field only 98.5% is actually distributed.

Awesome concept - but one that could have been made still better by awarding descending shares for each place from 6th on down - say, 1.5% to 6th, 1.3% to 7th, 1.1% to 8th, 1% to 9th, with 0.1% less for each place after that.

[toussaud]

am i the only person that thinks that the vast majority are blowing a gasket about nothing?
we are talking about 7 DOLLARS.


show me ONE person who goes to the race track and gets to the gate and says " you know.. I was going to get in for 3 bucks, but now that it's 10, I'm going to go home".

I pay 10 dollars for a 2 hour movie ticket. I go to a double A baseball game it's 15 bucks for half decent seats.

I would not go charging 10 bucks everyday but I have no problem with friday night racing/weekend cards being extra

[Cangamble]

am i the only person that thinks that the vast majority are blowing a gasket about nothing?
we are talking about 7 DOLLARS.


show me ONE person who goes to the race track and gets to the gate and says " you know.. I was going to get in for 3 bucks, but now that it's 10, I'm going to go home".

I pay 10 dollars for a 2 hour movie ticket. I go to a double A baseball game it's 15 bucks for half decent seats.

I would not go charging 10 bucks everyday but I have no problem with friday night racing/weekend cards being extra
I hope you are the only person here who thinks like you.
In Ontario there is no admission and they still can't fill the rafters. Horse racing is about betting, not entertainment.
In most jurisdictions one can bet from home at no additional charge, in fact, one can bet at home and get rebates as well.
It isn't like going to a movie. Movies at theatres are not available at home, and if you want to watch it while it is new and on a big screen, you have to pay for that right. Other than popcorn and pop, the theatre doesn't make additional money either.
Racing is about betting. That extra $7 or the total $10 will still wind up in the windows in almost every case, but by charging it, it most likely will keep many away who will wind up going to a movie or going out to dinner instead.
This is a completely idiotic move by Churchill Downs.

[toussaud]

I think you are missing my point.


My point being, that the admission price is not the reason tracks are empty.

Read bloodhorse, DRF, all the other news sites. look at the reasons don't go to the track. I have yet to see someone complain about ticket prices (with the exption of BC day).

again, if you are going to a venue and are paying for a live product, I have no problem with paying 10 bucks on a weekend. if you have trouble paying 10 bucks or have an issue with 10 bucks, you aren't wagering anyway

[SMOO]

I think charging admission at this point for horse racing is absurd.....why not offer it free, advertise it is free(people love anything for free) and get people into the track so they see what horse racing is all about.....I would venture to say from a cost effectiveness standpoint, the track would come out ahead in the long run with free admission....

:ThmbUp:

[Cangamble]

I think you are missing my point.

if you have trouble paying 10 bucks or have an issue with 10 bucks, you aren't wagering anyway
Just plain wrong.

[toussaud]

Just plain wrong.


no it's not.

If you are staying home you are staying home.

If you decide to go a race track, an actual LIVE race, and you freak out about the 10 buck cover, you weren't adding much to the pool anyway

[Cangamble]

no it's not.

If you are staying home you are staying home.

If you decide to go a race track, an actual LIVE race, and you freak out about the 10 buck cover, you weren't adding much to the pool anyway
Again, you are completely in outer space with that statement. And again, it may not be a choice of going to the track or staying home either.
I don't think you are in tune with the average gambler's psyche. And either is Churchill Downs.

[toussaud]

please explain to me how it's out of place.

[Cangamble]

please explain to me how it's out of place.
Lets say you have $120 bucks in your pocket on a Friday night. You also have a spouse/girlfriend. You might say to yourself, I'd like to go to the track tonight, but it will cost $20 for admission, and another $8 bucks for a form and program, plus I have to buy a few drinks and some food. That will leave me about $60 bucks to bet with. I think I'll go to a movie and a bar instead, my wife doesn't like the track anyway.

And then there are those who don't like paying $3, they just won't pay the $10, and if they aren't an ADW customer, they won't be betting.

For those who go to the track with a $80 bankroll, $10 is an outrageous percentage, and they know it.

If money didn't matter, why do the masses wind up in the Grandstand when the Clubhouse only costs a few extra bucks to get into?

And just look at the mentality of some of the players here, who don't want to bet an ADW unless they have video even if they can get a very good rebate without the video.

People don't like to pay extra for what they see as NOTHING.

[rrbauer]

Churchill's idea is that the new blood needs to be properly indoctrinated. Get as much as you can, as fast as you can, because most of them will not be back.

[toussaud]

Lets say you have $120 bucks in your pocket on a Friday night. You also have a spouse/girlfriend. You might say to yourself, I'd like to go to the track tonight, but it will cost $20 for admission, and another $8 bucks for a form and program, plus I have to buy a few drinks and some food. That will leave me about $60 bucks to bet with. I think I'll go to a movie and a bar instead, my wife doesn't like the track anyway.

And then there are those who don't like paying $3, they just won't pay the $10, and if they aren't an ADW customer, they won't be betting.

For those who go to the track with a $80 bankroll, $10 is an outrageous percentage, and they know it.

If money didn't matter, why do the masses wind up in the Grandstand when the Clubhouse only costs a few extra bucks to get into?

And just look at the mentality of some of the players here, who don't want to bet an ADW unless they have video even if they can get a very good rebate without the video.

People don't like to pay extra for what they see as NOTHING.


it's a 14 buck difference between your comparison.

what i'm saying is that, if you decide not to go to the track, it's not becuase of the 14 b uck difference

I do agree that it SHOULD be free, that would be best and the smartest way to go about it, but there are more pressing issues than this one.

[Cangamble]

it's a 14 buck difference between your comparison.

what i'm saying is that, if you decide not to go to the track, it's not becuase of the 14 b uck difference

I do agree that it SHOULD be free, that would be best and the smartest way to go about it, but there are more pressing issues than this one.
It is a deal breaker for many, a lot more than you think.
And price sensitive players too will be very hesitant to play as well.
It is just downright stupid of Churchill to do this.

[Cangamble]

Churchill's idea is that the new blood needs to be properly indoctrinated. Get as much as you can, as fast as you can, because most of them will not be back.
That is Racing Exec 101.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IeHiolIJzWA/SAN73OESrII/AAAAAAAAAGM/AIrCLwIa1iU/s400/woodbine%2Bentertainment.JPG

[Tom]

Would you pay admission to a restaurant?
A shopping mall?

[dutzman]

I agree that there may be more pressing issues than charging $10 for some night racing. But, this is by far the easiest of the issues to change. Hell, I get inside Churchill for free when I go out. But not everyone has that luxury. I love bringing out new people to the track. I believe if you get people out to the races to see it live, educate them about the horses and betting, you might be able to gain a couple more fans of the sport. Now, let's say I wanted to invite some buddies out with me for Friday night racing. Just wait until I tell them it is $10 to get in. Sure they will probably come anyway, but they might look at me weird and mention the riverboat across the state line lets people in for free.

I guess the point I am trying to make is Churchill has done enough to alienate fans here in the Greater Louisville area that charging $10 will do nothing to amend those feelings.


What scenario gets more people to the track on a summer Friday night at Churchill Downs?

1) Charge patrons $10 dollars at the door. Charge them $3 for a program. Sounds great! I think I'll bring my whole family!!!! If you are married and have 2 kids you are out $50.......

OR

2) Charge patrons NOTHING to get in. Give them free programs.

[eclecticapper]

I'm sure the "logic" behind the decision is as follows--if 100,000 show up on Oaks day when general admission is $25 and over 140,000 show up on Derby day when general admission is $40, those people will see an admission price of "only" $10 as a bargain. Their website includes the following paragraph:

The first [night] racing sessions in the history of the home of the Kentucky Derby are scheduled for June 19 and 26, which are Friday nights, and Thursday, July 2, an evening of racing under the lights which will serve as the kick-off for Independence Day Weekend festivities. Post time for the three night racing sessions is set for 6 p.m. Details of those special programs will be announced after the Kentucky Derby.

I suspect the details will include live music, since Churchill started hosting concerts in the past few years. This all seems like a prelude to eventually running the Derby in prime time.

[SMOO]

People don't like to pay extra for what they see as NOTHING.
:ThmbUp:

[JustRalph]

Would you pay admission to a restaurant?
A shopping mall?

A couple of locations back, my wife charged admission to get in her place on weekends.......... She is considering it again.......here in NC.......


Sometimes an admission charge is done on purpose.....even when you know it will piss some off......think about it..... especially on big days............:bang:

It's called managing the door.............

[Bubba X]

I haven't seen a pay toilet in years.

Just saying.

[fmolf]

am i the only person that thinks that the vast majority are blowing a gasket about nothing?
we are talking about 7 DOLLARS.


show me ONE person who goes to the race track and gets to the gate and says " you know.. I was going to get in for 3 bucks, but now that it's 10, I'm going to go home".

I pay 10 dollars for a 2 hour movie ticket. I go to a double A baseball game it's 15 bucks for half decent seats.

I would not go charging 10 bucks everyday but I have no problem with friday night racing/weekend cards being extra
i think you are missing the point...horse racing is the only industry when attendance goes down and handle goes down that they raise the prices!..the yankees lowered ticket prices today...they were not selling....auto makers lowered prices people were not buying cars!....it is a great idea to have night racing a lot of people work during the day and go to casinos at night to gamble why not try to introduce these people to horse racing?...charging ten dollars to get in is a sure way to keep them going to the casino!

[Pace Cap'n]

I'm betting they just want to keep out the riff-raff.

[WinterTriangle]

I don't think you are in tune with the average gambler's psyche. And either is Churchill Downs.

There's been a few topics on other boards with racing and horse enthusiasts over the years, long topics. You'd be very surprised, I guess, to know just how many people follow racing, go to tracks, and *don't* gamble.

The whole "the track is for gamblers", if anything, is precisely what keeps families away and more spectators and enthusiasts for the sport, IMHO.

Live racing should be considered a wonderful spectator sport, like any other sport, a chance to get outside, see some sights, have some good concession food like Oaklawn's fantastic corned beef sandwiches with a cold beer in a plastic cup. Hot dogs for the kids, show em the horses in the paddock (I watched families do this all the time, less than I'd like to see though).

Gamblers can stay home and wager at home, or go to the OTB. Live racing is about the sights, the sounds, and yes, wagering too, but 30,000 people at Oaklawn on Saturdays aren't all gambling, I can guarantee that.

Friends of mine just got back from New Zealand, went to many races there. It's like a festival/picnic atmoshpere. Families, children, picnic tables, fish n chips, people put blankets on the ground and lawn chairs and spend the whole day.

[JustRalph]

I'm betting they just want to keep out the riff-raff.

Managing the door............ :ThmbUp:

[fmolf]

I'm betting they just want to keep out the riff-raff.
riff raff is what makes the track a fun place between races!

[philcski]

Get a KEEP card. Think they were $15 this year. Free admission to all KY tracks (excluding Oaks/Derby, of course.)

[rrbauer]

I'm betting they just want to keep out the riff-raff.

I knew they didn't like me!

I sent CD an email, two days ago, when this thread started, asking them about the $10 admission policy. No response. I guess it's the riff-raff thing. On the other hand, it's Yum-Yum Derby Week and the folks at CD have bigger fish to fry. At the same time there are several tracks that would've responded had I emailed them about their admission-charge policies: Keeneland, Tampa and Del Mar all come to mind. In a way it's disappointing because the last time that I went to CD, I called a few days before and there was a packet waiting for me at "will call" with reserved seats, etc. and that left me with a positive impression about the track.

[pic6vic]

Admission charges

Check out Santa Anita. They had free Fridays. See how many more showed up on Friday than on a Weds or Thurs. I believe the last Fridat they hadover 9000. On Thurs they had 4000. Firdays averaged over 6500.

Admission does matter. They also did not charge for parking.

[Tampa Russ]

riff raff is what makes the track a fun place between races!

All I can say is that I made my first trip in many years to Pimlico last Saturday. I was happy they charged 3 bucks to get in, and a couple of bucks to park in the preferred lot.