Monmouth meet not so elite

[ronsmac]

After last yrs. spectacular meet , it's looking rather dismal this yr. so far. The number of 6 and 7 horse fields has doubled and out of state handle is down in the neighborhood of 50%. There's just no buzz or excitement to this yrs. meet. The money and publicity of last yrs meet really made Monmouth a track to look forward too. With Socal being so dismal and 1 yr away from NYRA getting their slots running, Monmouth could've really capitalized if the governor had released the casino money. With philly, Deleware and NY running the same kind of races, their is too much competition for horses.

[thespaah]

After last yrs. spectacular meet , it's looking rather dismal this yr. so far. The number of 6 and 7 horse fields has doubled and out of state handle is down in the neighborhood of 50%. There's just no buzz or excitement to this yrs. meet. The money and publicity of last yrs meet really made Monmouth a track to look forward too. With Socal being so dismal and 1 yr away from NYRA getting their slots running, Monmouth could've really capitalized if the governor had released the casino money. With philly, Deleware and NY running the same kind of races, their is too much competition for horses.
BINGO!!!! Nail hit on the head.
Too many tracks in close geographic proximity operating simultaneously competing for similar racing stock. And of course throw in slots inflated purses and away we go.
BTW, the governor and casino money have little to do with this problem. The track management knew from last year the casino subsidy was history.

[onefast99]

The weather has been rough in the northeast this spring, I will give MP the month of June to turn it around attendance and handle wise. Fathers day is always a good indicator, lets see what happens.

[phattty]

no one really expected anywhere near last years numbers


my only concern is that they make the track surface fairer

[ronsmac]

You should be concerned about the field size also , if you bet that is.

[onefast99]

You should be concerned about the field size also , if you bet that is.
Look at all the tracks in the area, pretty much the same thing smaller fields.

[ronsmac]

Exactly.

[BIG49010]

I would say they are doing good so far, they are putting on a meet very similar in qualitity to a Tampa, not bad considering you have all that competition for horses on the east coast.

[nomadpat]

I have to admit, I don't care if a meet is considered "elite" or not. I'm making money there so it can't be all bad ;)

[BIG49010]

I have to admit, I don't care if a meet is considered "elite" or not. I'm making money there so it can't be all bad ;)

I agree and the meet could get very interesting, I just read Frank Calabrase is sending 50 horses from Calder.

[point given]

The meet may be a little shorter than planned though, if the horsemen and the
unions can't come to some agreements soon.

I talked to an older teller there today and it seems the horsemen are upset and the tellers are like the ones at the Meadowlands were in being very resentful of taking any cuts. Apparently Morris Bailey has made some written ultimatums to them warning them that he will walk away if they arenot met and/or bring in his own people to replace the union people. The next 3-4 weeks will be interesting to say the least. Alot of ill will going on there now.