Tioga Handles Up

[DeanT]

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/news/6-21-10/positive-results-reduced-tioga-take-out.html

Good job. It's a start!

Tioga Downs made headlines this spring when a reduction in take-out on wagers to the minimum allowed by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board was announced.

The results are in for the first 18 live cards (May 1 - June 13) and, in the face of handle declines across the entirety of North American horse racing, it appears as though there is merit to the theory of price reduction.

Overall handle is up 4.6% thus far, as compared to the 8.74% decline Standardbred Canada is reporting to date for our harness neighbours to the north. Handle figures published in Blood Horse magazine for US thoroughbred racing reveal a negative trend in handle of 8.37% for the first five months of 2010. No figures are available for US harness racing at this time.

The handle on Tioga's exported signal has increased by a healthy 9.9% over figures for the same period (18 programs) in 2009. Live handle on Tioga's races is 8.6 % below 2009 levels, with those negative numbers (at least in part) reflecting some unseasonably cold and wet weather in May, even for upstate New York.

Regional VP of Racing & Simulcast Jason Settlemoir had this to say, “The export numbers are encouraging and we are in hopes that they will grow even more now that we have added Pick Six Sundays with a guaranteed pool of $6,000. All of us at Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs are committed to leading the way when it comes to promotions, giveaways and other ideas for the sport of harness racing, if anyone ever has an idea that they would like to share please let us know.”

In yet another effort to encourage play, the Tioga Downs website now offers a page geared toward information (http://www.tiogadowns.com/racing-handicapping.php) on handicapping the races. The site includes a link for TrackMaster programs, race replays, updated info on each card (including driver choices), a list of all locations taking the Tioga signal and a link to the USTA's 'How To Bet' page.

Unique to the site is a handicapping contest on the Tioga races sponsored by the Horseplayers Association of North America (HANA) (http://www.horseplayersassociation.org/) and its paceadvantage.com forum. Four expert opinions, two human and two computer generated (including the 'Chatsworth Consortium' program graciously donated by TrackMaster and the USTA and currently leading the contest), are offered on all races in an effort to provide those unfamiliar with Tioga racing some welcome guidance on the races. Those 'Chatsworth Consortium' picks regularly sell for $10 per card, but will be available free on this page for the entirety of the Tioga meet.

Tioga races live each Friday and Saturday at 6:50 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 1:30 p.m. and should be available at a simulcast location near you.

(Tioga)

[Robert Goren]

Not to throw water on your parade, but isn't what you are saying is that they are back to where they were a couple of years ago?

[DeanT]

There are no numbers from them from 1+ years ago Robert, so I dont know.

It's up from last year, while everywhere else is down, so that is encouraging. In harness racing, for year one, we would be encouraged if they held flat, and it seems they are doing a little better than that. The harness racing handle curve is negatively sloped since about 2004.

[melman]

I'm very happy to see those numbers Dean. If the customer can bet Tioga with Premier Turf Club or Horseplayersbet they get it even better on the takeout. Tioga's best stake races are yet to come. Let's get those numbers even higher.

[LottaKash]

:jump: .....Nice to see a "little light", shining a little bit brighter these days, at the Harness..... :jump:

Any "UP" these days, is a good thing... :jump:

best,

[Figman]

Here is where Tioga Downs began:(from NYS Racing & Wagering Board 2007 Yearly Report p.32)

2006 51 programs Total handle$4,727,065; on track-$2,374,822; off track- $2,352,243; Average per day handle-$92,688.

2007 58 programs Total handle$6,724,569; on track-$2,200,076; off track- $4,524,493:Average per day handle-$115,941.

[Pacingguy]

I realize most of the wagering is done off track these days but it must be somewhat disappointing to see on track wagering down as much as it was, even considering the weather. After all, tracks get a bigger cut on on-track wagers.

Of course, we shouldn't be surprised. While a reduced takeout helps on-track players as much as those of us on laptops, on-track individuals are looking for entertainment as much as a gambling experience so the importance of a reduced takeout may not be as high at the track to those in attendance on the whole. We still need to take steps to make the on-track experience more enjoyable to get those numbers up as well.