Friday night disasters at Hastings

[46zilzal]

We have and interesting dichotomy at Hastings. FRIDAY nights are, by design, augmented with lots of cheap food and booze, SET UP to draw in the younger crowd. They have a disc jockey who plays that "noise" called rap music, and they PROMOTE the entire thing, ostensibly, for the NEW people that will come. Only problem is that the ones who show up get drunk to the point they can't stand up, scream, become very rowdy, then bet very little. Last month I had to endure a "play by play" account of a young lady's recent sexual history as she shouted it out, "FACE BOOK" fashion, from atop a green picnic table near the area where I cover the paddock. Security tells me that the number of incidents increases ramatically during these evening programs.

Sad thing about it is, I can well understand why these young people degenerate into partaking of the food and booze exclusively, since NO ONE helps them understand what the game is all about. There are a few interested ones who come down to the rail. They are amazed that someone, two great security guys and myself, who actually HELP THEM UNDERSTAND what they are trying to do.

How can you get people to COME BACK if they are LOST? Management is missing the boat on garnering ANY new fans.

TO top it off, Friday night's card is simulcast to the mixed
q-horse/thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos. To pander to THAT betting crowd, this week we have THREE out of 8 races at the ridiculous distance of 3.5 furlongs. Usually designated for babies to learn to race, two of these are for older runners. These races are dart throwing contest with no form and are PURE guesswork as the riders don't even know the best way to run many of these horse trying the distance for the first time that depends HEAVILY on post positions and the break.

Try to gain new fans, keep them in the dark and then what racing you offer is totally incomprehensible? Great.

This is why CASINO people cannot run racing meets. They haven't a clue.

[castaway01]

What does it mean that she shouted it "Facebook fashion"? Do you even know what Facebook is? Doesn't seem like you do.

Yes, these young people are using the track as a place to drink cheaply rather than to learn about horses. Unfortunately the alcohol holds more allure than the gambling. Sorry it's not working there, but it's hard to get young people in the door when they have a million other options.

[46zilzal]

What does it mean that she shouted it "Facebook fashion"? Do you even know what Facebook is? Doesn't seem like you do.


From the idiots in my family who want me, like they do, to BARE ALL, along with a full photo spread about oneself on line, YES I know what it is all about.

[macguy]

I'm sorry to hear this.

I've been meaning to get out there on a Friday night, but traffic is usually just a mess, first post time puts me straight into Friday night rush hour. Perhaps now with summer time, traffic won't be so bad.

When I first saw races being run at "about 3 1/2 furlongs" for the older horses, I had to do a double take. To me those short races (similar to the 2f races at FE) are a sign that there's a lack of quality horses at the meet, and the secretary is having trouble filling races. I'm not exactly sure what the deal is with LA, but I suppose they have to have a certain number of short sprints in order for LA to carry the signal.

I do believe this is the first time I've seen 2 races on the same card at 3 1/2f for older horses.

It'll be interesting to see how this works out over the summer. I'm gonna have to try and get out there one of these nights to see for myself.

[46zilzal]

I

I do believe this is the first time I've seen 2 races on the same card at 3 1/2f for older horses.

It'll be interesting to see how this works out over the summer. I'm gonna have to try and get out there one of these nights to see for myself.
Come down to the winner's circle and say hello

[JBmadera]

whenever I read posts like this I cringe - I was one of those "drink too much, talk too loud" types that ruined the experience for everyone within ear shot of me - don't know what the answer is other than some combo of h-capping activities between races and extra security.

jb

[46zilzal]

- don't know what the answer is other than some combo of h-capping activities between races and extra security.


I have repeatedly suggested that ot managmement but it has fallen on deaf ears

[proximity]

Sad thing about it is, I can well understand why these young people degenerate into partaking of the food and booze exclusively, since NO ONE helps them understand what the game is all about. There are a few interested ones who come down to the rail. They are amazed that someone, two great security guys and myself, who actually HELP THEM UNDERSTAND what they are trying to do.


perhaps these young people were partaking of the booze so intensely becausethey already do understand what this crazy game is about? :)

seriously though i do give you worlds of credit for actually going out to a track, supporting the live product, and being an ambassador for handicapping.

now did you get this girl's number or what?

[Tom]

That "face book" girl on the table......did you get her name? :eek:

[HuggingTheRail]

46, I have been to a few Friday nights this year, and agree with your assessment. However, I give them some credit for trying SOMETHING, as the past 10 years, through a couple of ownership changes, there has been little done to try and get people out to the track.

Obviously, HST is the not first to try this marketing tactic...I wonder if others feel it has been successful at their home track. I really wonder what marketing tactics a place like HST can use to get more people out to the track.

I'll be at HST tonight, I'll make sure to check out the picnic tables...

[46zilzal]

.

I'll be at HST tonight, I'll make sure to check out the picnic tables...
The marketing manger is a 30 something lady without a clue about horse racing. I have spoke to her many times in the winner's circle and she is a nice enough lady but clueless.

Drop by the winner's circle and say hello

[jballscalls]

so whats better, a bunch of 30 somethings who are drinking and hanging out at the races, or nobody there at all??

[46zilzal]

so whats better, a bunch of 30 somethings who are drinking and hanging out at the races, or nobody there at all??
Neither

[chickenhead]

That "face book" girl on the table......did you get her name? :eek:

:lol:

[Tom Barrister]

That "face book" girl on the table......did you get her name? :eek:

Do you think he's going to share with you?

[trying2win]

How about telling the newcomers to Hastings Park, that the takeout rate for show bets is only 12 %. Then suggest they might try their luck on that kind of bet first before attempting other types of wagers. Here's the story again:

http://www.hastingspark.com/news/featured/press/pr08130803.aspx

--The same 12 % show takeout rate for Hastings Park is still in effect in 2009.

--Mind you, perhaps some of the veterans at the handicapping game weren't aware of this particular lower-than-usual-takeout. Too bad HST didn't invoke it for WIN and PLACE bets too. Sure would help.

--I don't bet to show very often. Just the odd time on some longshots listed in the lower half of a handicapping program rankings. The horse has to have some kind of positive thing going for it...highest class rating, best workout rating etc. I usually just employ that angle on the synthetic tracks. Mind you with only a 12 % takeout rate on show bets at HST, maybe I should a few paper bet tests on some angles there.


T2W

[macguy]

How about telling the newcomers to Hastings Park, that the takeout rate for show bets is only 12 %. Then suggest they might try their luck on that kind of bet first before attempting other types of wagers. Here's the story again:

http://www.hastingspark.com/news/featured/press/pr08130803.aspx

--The same 12 % show takeout rate for Hastings Park is still in effect in 2009.

--Mind you, perhaps some of the veterans at the handicapping game weren't aware of this particular lower-than-usual-takeout. Too bad HST didn't invoke it for WIN and PLACE bets too. Sure would help.

--I don't bet to show very often. Just the odd time on some longshots listed in the lower half of a handicapping program rankings. The horse has to have some kind of positive thing going for it...highest class rating, best workout rating etc. I usually just employ that angle on the synthetic tracks. Mind you with only a 12 % takeout rate on show bets at HST, maybe I should a few paper bet tests on some angles there.


T2W


I used to rarely (if ever) bet to show. When Hst first announced the reduced take for show bets I thought it was an interesting idea, but at the time didn't think much of it.

I now often find, instead of passing a race, I'll look for a horse I feel has a chance and put a few bucks to show on it, just for a little action. It's funny, the show bet really isn't a type of bet you will ever get rich on, but I have enjoyed playing it. Not because I've gotten rich off it, but more because I know it's the lowest take-out option available.

Don't know how successful it's been overall, but they've definitely got a slightly higher handle out of me.

[Irish Boy]

We have and interesting dichotomy at Hastings. FRIDAY nights are, by design, augmented with lots of cheap food and booze, SET UP to draw in the younger crowd. They have a disc jockey who plays that "noise" called rap music, and they PROMOTE the entire thing, ostensibly, for the NEW people that will come. Only problem is that the ones who show up get drunk to the point they can't stand up, scream, become very rowdy, then bet very little. Last month I had to endure a "play by play" account of a young lady's recent sexual history as she shouted it out, "FACE BOOK" fashion, from atop a green picnic table near the area where I cover the paddock. Security tells me that the number of incidents increases ramatically during these evening programs.

Sad thing about it is, I can well understand why these young people degenerate into partaking of the food and booze exclusively, since NO ONE helps them understand what the game is all about. There are a few interested ones who come down to the rail. They are amazed that someone, two great security guys and myself, who actually HELP THEM UNDERSTAND what they are trying to do.

How can you get people to COME BACK if they are LOST? Management is missing the boat on garnering ANY new fans.

TO top it off, Friday night's card is simulcast to the mixed
q-horse/thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos. To pander to THAT betting crowd, this week we have THREE out of 8 races at the ridiculous distance of 3.5 furlongs. Usually designated for babies to learn to race, two of these are for older runners. These races are dart throwing contest with no form and are PURE guesswork as the riders don't even know the best way to run many of these horse trying the distance for the first time that depends HEAVILY on post positions and the break.

Try to gain new fans, keep them in the dark and then what racing you offer is totally incomprehensible? Great.

This is why CASINO people cannot run racing meets. They haven't a clue.


http://ramblingrhodes.mu.nu/archives/abe_simpson.gif

[dav4463]

Friday nights "Party in the Park" at Lone Star is great! Lots of scantily-clad drunk females and other bettors without a clue. I don't mind taking their money!

I met the "ultimate woman" at one of those friday night parties which is followed by a concert. She is a stripper who can read a racing form! :ThmbUp: It doesn't get any better! ;)

[toetoe]

want me ... to BARE ALL

Be still my ... um ... heart. SCHWING !!! :jump: .

[WinterTriangle]

Drinking at the track surely is not cheap. There's $$ to be made off these youngsters, who do what youngsters do. I was quite a little party animal myself in my 20s. :) Set aside a nice lounge area for them, and if they wanna drink at the track, great. Just put that area away from the TVs and the main action.

I don't wanna become one of those "old people" who complain about the new music, etc. I promised myself I wouldn't and that was 20 years ago when I *was* in my 20's.

I think horse racing needs some kind of mentor stuff. I remember going to the track for the first time, I went alone, you have no idea how little I knew. I didn't know how to even tell the ticket person how to place my wager. And, unfortunately, most people were either too busy concentrating, so they were quite annoyed if I asked them anything.

There's an information desk at Oaklawn, those guys work for the track and are very helpful. Newbies are NOT going to get into the sport if nobody shows them the ropes a little.

The best way to bring new people into the sport is not to become an old grumpy at the track. :lol: Reach out, enjoy the other people around you, not just the racing form.