Penn cancelation?

[bushwick]

I heard the gate crew went on strike is there any truth to this?

[Rockford]

I had not heard that.

The announcement after the first race said they were canceling the rest of the card due to "safety concerns". I assumed that was the decision of the jockeys being unhappy with the track condition. Just a guess though, you could be right.

Man. They sure have been having their problems lately.

[hibiscus]

The place is an utter embarassment. This is now twice this year at this track that we've had a horse miss a start due to a cancellation.

I guess no one taught the maintenance crew what to do on days when it rains.

Rather than increasing the purses in each new condition book why don't they funnel some of these funds into getting a track capable of actually sustaining a race?

I'm fairly certain that the casino is fully functional, though.

I get the feeling that if one were to call track management to complain about the chronic racing cancellations they'd say, "We have racing here?"

[dutzman]

I'm fairly certain that the casino is fully functional, though.

I get the feeling that if one were to call track management to complain about the chronic racing cancellations they'd say, "We have racing here?"

IMO, this is the fear that horseplayers should have at every track that has casinos. This reminds me of Presque Isle....and what is going on in Iowa.....

[Whodoyalike?]

There is major problems with the track surface at Penn. Last fall, a new surface was put in place, and what a disaster it's been. I find it amusing that Penn is increasing the purses, but good trainers and owners may not be so inclined to run good quality horses on that mess. When it rains, the track surface is a disaster. I've heard rumors of water standing 6 inches deep in some spots after a heavy rain. I can't blame the jockeys for not wanting to race over conditions like that.

What an embarrasment on Preakness day to have the grandstand filled for the evening card (no wait, I stand corrected, Penn is the only track in the country NOT to have grandstand seating for the horse patrons, but those stupid box seats that never took off-because the want everyone in the casino where there are 2000+ seats in front of slots).

What IS of interest to me is that the track condition was listed as "GOOD" during the first race on Saturday June 20th. Lots of rain fell in that region in the last few days, so I don't know what the excuse was for cancelling the card.

I have been playing Penn for 30 years, and the patrons were promised a better quality of horse racing with a state of the art facility once slots became legal. In my opinion, this era is a low point in the history of Penn National.

[takeout]

IMO, this is the fear that horseplayers should have at every track that has casinos. This reminds me of Presque Isle....and what is going on in Iowa.....
You can add Charles Town to the list. Heck, Charles Town may TOP the list. Years ’03 & ’04 were complete fiascoes and ’05 wasn’t much better. It’s still a gamble when it rains.

[Bluto Blutarsky]

What I'm hearing...the valets are also acting as part of the starting gate crew. They make a grand total of $50 per card.
They asked for a raise. The track said maybe. Their paychecks came.
No raise. They walked off the job.

[Rockford]

What I'm hearing...the valets are also acting as part of the starting gate crew. They make a grand total of $50 per card.
They asked for a raise. The track said maybe. Their paychecks came.
No raise. They walked off the job.


If that is true, wow. I did notice that it took a very VERY long time to load the horses for the first race. It was had to see why from the camera angle. I had just assumed an unusually unruly group of horses. Perhaps there was an inexperienced crew trying to man the gate?

If they had to sacrifice the take from nine races over whatever measly raise would have made the gate crew happy, there should be a shareholder revolt at Penn National Gaming.

[Whodoyalike?]

If that is true, wow. I did notice that it took a very VERY long time to load the horses for the first race. It was had to see why from the camera angle. I had just assumed an unusually unruly group of horses. Perhaps there was an inexperienced crew trying to man the gate?

If they had to sacrifice the take from nine races over whatever measly raise would have made the gate crew happy, there should be a shareholder revolt at Penn National Gaming.

I think the unusually long time to load the horses to the beginning of the race has something to do with the tote system malfunctioning recently. There were two instances where people were still able to wager once the race started. Now, as soon as the first horse is in the gate, the windows close. I think the delay has to do with the track making sure all the wagering is closed. Now, the announcer says "the horses are in line" before the gates open. Just my thoughts.

[takeout]

They say the track went back to its “previous policy on closing pari-mutuel pools” on June 18th.

http://www.pennnational.com/headlines/news/1245335924.shtml

[macguy]

IMO, this is the fear that horseplayers should have at every track that has casinos. This reminds me of Presque Isle....and what is going on in Iowa.....


I couldn't agree more.
Many people are/were looking as the slots to be the "cure-all" for the horse racing industry.
In fact, it's more likely going to be the downfall of horse racing.


I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Pen is saving money on cancellations.

It's just a matter of time before the bean counters/managers look at the books and say, wow look how much more money we can make with slots and NO horse racing.