Morris Bailey, now in control of Monmouth Park, is the future of New Jersey horse rac

[point given]

http://www.nj.com/horse-racing/index.ssf/2011/06/morris_bailey_now_in_control_of_monmouth_park_is_t he_future_of_new_jersey_horse_racing.htmll (http://l)

[onefast99]

“What I found out is that he doesn’t come at you like a Donald Trump,” said Forbes, “but when it comes to the art of negotiation he makes Trump look like a boy scout.”

Why would Forbes make a statement like that?

[point given]

“What I found out is that he doesn’t come at you like a Donald Trump,” said Forbes, “but when it comes to the art of negotiation he makes Trump look like a boy scout.”

Why would Forbes make a statement like that?

A = wants to show respect for the new boss as not overly aggressive and obnoxious

B = is not a big Trump fan

[Robert Fischer]

"rac" short for 'racing' or 'racket'?

[onefast99]

A = wants to show respect for the new boss as not overly aggressive

B = is not a big Trump fan

I didn't think a statement like that was necessary by Mr Forbes.

[Saratoga_Mike]

I didn't think a statement like that was necessary by Mr Forbes.

Why? Trump's a joker. Bailey's a serious businessman.

[Robert Goren]

Now we see if he can get the horsemen to make the necessary changes to attract enough gambler's money to save racing in that state. I am cautiously optimistic.

[onefast99]

Now we see if he can get the horsemen to make the necessary changes to attract enough gambler's money to save racing in that state. I am cautiously optimistic.
Yes we do Robert, we get someone who is genuinely interested in making MP work, along with the OTW's. Trimming the fat and making MP profitable will be Mr Baileys goal and based on what I have seen and read thus far he will accomplish this within the next four years.

[lsosa54]

Getting rid of NJ BETS and giving us a choice would be a good start.

[overthehill]

I met Mr. Bailey over 30 years ago in a business setting and he seemed very straightforward and sharp at that time. At the time he owned several fast food franchises and he made a point of telling me how he focused on knowing his costs and controlling them. Must have been a memorable conversation for me to recall it after so many years.

[Spiderman]

Getting rid of NJ BETS and giving us a choice would be a good start.

Careful what you wish for. We get direct track feeds, except for NYRA; unlimited race replays; account of bets - win/loss statements and can mute volume.

The only problem with NJbets is the exclusivity where we do not have a choice to use any other ADW. As a contest player in NJ, we are limited. We cannot play in the DRF, Xpressbet and Twinspire online contests. I would like to get a waiver to play in those non-cash betting contests.

[Canarsie]

Getting rid of NJ BETS and giving us a choice would be a good start.


Don't hold your breath because it's never happening. While I would love to use DRF or Twinspires do you really think they would have even bid without the platform that exists now? The tracks will never make money but the OTW's and NJBets sure will.

Let me ask you a question? Would you have put up millions of your own dollars and let competition come into the state and take away your business? The cost of running the operation is small and the profits large on a statement sheet. The problem is there still isn't enough bettors that's what they need to work on.

I might be incorrect but the law would have to be changed to allow competition.

Why don't you also say get rid of Favorites that would be a good start?

If it was done right our Governor would have sold both tracks and NJBets but it wasn't done that way for reasons unknown.

[Robert Goren]

As bad as NJbets is or is not, it is not the major reason that racing is in trouble in that state.

[onefast99]

As bad as NJbets is or is not, it is not the major reason that racing is in trouble in that state.
Link?

[Robert Goren]

Link?Show me a links that shows how opening up the ADW market to outsiders for NJ residents will generate enough money for the tracks to save NJ racing. It would be good for NJ bettors and I support it, but I don't think that it is going generate the kind of revenues need to keep NJ racing. How many NJ residents are now not betting through an ADW because they force to use NJ bets? I don't know the answer to that, but I doubt that it is that many.

[Canarsie]

Show me a links that shows how opening up the ADW market to outsiders for NJ residents will generate enough money for the tracks to save NJ racing. It would be good for NJ bettors and I support it, but I don't think that it is going generate the kind of revenues need to keep NJ racing. How many NJ residents are now not betting through an ADW because they force to use NJ bets? I don't know the answer to that, but I doubt that it is that many.


The one thing that drives me crazy in this world is when a person is asked a question and instead of answering it they ask one back. :bang:

The law would have to be changed to allow other ADW's. Heck we aren't even allowed to enter certain contests depending how are are regulated.

I will answer your question lots of residents do have you ever heard of a bookmaker? When I was at the Meadowlands one afternoon the computers were down for almost 4 hours state wide yet there were hundreds of people screaming at the screens. You can fill in the blanks.

[onefast99]

Show me a links that shows how opening up the ADW market to outsiders for NJ residents will generate enough money for the tracks to save NJ racing. It would be good for NJ bettors and I support it, but I don't think that it is going generate the kind of revenues need to keep NJ racing. How many NJ residents are now not betting through an ADW because they force to use NJ bets? I don't know the answer to that, but I doubt that it is that many.
I don't think Bailey would have made a very big commitment to the game if he didn't feel there was a profit in it. That profit will come when all the pieces are in place including the 5 otw's.

[Robert Goren]

I don't think Bailey would have made a very big commitment to the game if he didn't feel there was a profit in it. That profit will come when all the pieces are in place including the 5 otw's. A lot pieces have to fall into place for horse racing to become profitable in NJ. I wish him all the luck in the world, but I just don't see where the customers are going come from with fewer and fewer people betting the horse races each year nationally. He will be bucking a strong national trend. It very hard for racing to compete with other forms of gambling. Even the smart profitable big money gamblers are turning to things like currency trading. I know several former posters here have stated they have moved on because it much easier to make a buck there.

[Spiderman]

Private enterprise should fare better than government. There are inherent situations that will prove difficult to overcome. Monmouth is not located in a high population sphere; the weather is not conducive to year round operations; the mid-Atlantic is replete with tracks in Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania and the NYRA circuit. As someone mentioned earlier, the saving grace would be the Off Track Wagering sites and NJBets.

Meadowlands has a great location. It is renowned for harness racing and has had little success with thoroughbreds. Slots and a casino, similar to Empire at Yonkers would be a major move for profitability.

Atlantic City casino operators will be a major opponent of either track's success. Bailey is a casino owner and may be able to work with AC for mutual benefit.

[ronsmac]

Monmouth is dismal, half the fields are 7 horses or less, some as small as 4 or 5. Such a far cry from last yrs elite meet.

[onefast99]

Monmouth is dismal, half the fields are 7 horses or less, some as small as 4 or 5. Such a far cry from last yrs elite meet.
They averaged 9 per race on Sunday and this Friday they will average about 8.75 per race. The turf races seem to be carded with 8 or 9 and then the ae's. What tracks are offering full fields, many tracks are begging for entries like Parx and Delaware.

[lamboguy]

the thing about jersey is that they have a great fan base for horses there, and very smart ones too. every low claiming races has multiple claims, not all of them are larger outfits either. monmouth is certainly a place that can survive if run right. so i guess this guy bailey is going to give it his best shot.

[The Hawk]

Careful what you wish for. We get direct track feeds, except for NYRA; unlimited race replays; account of bets - win/loss statements and can mute volume.


Don't they all have this?

[Robert Goren]

Don't they all have this?No they don't.

[Spiderman]

[QUOTE=The Hawk]Don't they all have this?[/QUOTE

It could be replaced with TVG and then what do you have?

[onefast99]

No they don't.
NJ Bets has all of this and more, I guess you would know Mr Goren as you are probably the only person living outside of NJ that has 4NJbets.com

http://www.cool-smileys.com/images/onhorse4.gif (http://www.cool-smileys.com/smiley-in-a-hurry-riding-a-fast-horse)

[Robert Goren]

NJ Bets has all of this and more, I guess you would know Mr Goren as you are probably the only person living outside of NJ that has 4NJbets.com

http://www.cool-smileys.com/images/onhorse4.gif (http://www.cool-smileys.com/smiley-in-a-hurry-riding-a-fast-horse)That's not what I meant. Not all ADWs have all of those features. Quite a few lack video feeds for instance.

[onefast99]

That's not what I meant. Not all ADWs have all of those features. Quite a few lack video feeds for instance.
Please visit Favorites on Fords Avenue in Woodbridge NJ you will be amazed at how nice an OTW can actually be. I would imagine Mr Bailey will have the same or better facilities once they are completed. Enjoy the races today!

[Robert Goren]

Please visit Favorites on Fords Avenue in Woodbridge NJ you will be amazed at how nice an OTW can actually be. I would imagine Mr Bailey will have the same or better facilities once they are completed. Enjoy the races today! Where did I ever knock NJbets.com or Favorites? I wish we had something like Favorites here in Lincoln instead of an old race track with a simulcast center that will close at the end of the year. I do believe that the residents of NJ should get to chose their ADW. I think most would stay with NJBets once they took a look at what is out there, but they should get a choice. The only thing I ever said about OTBs was that I think they are going out date because of the internet, but they may still have few good years left in them. The internet has changed a lot things with regard to storefront operations. The other thing is no matter how nice they are some people don't want them anyplace near where they live.

[The Hawk]

No they don't.

I didn't realize that. I've seen Twin Spires, Youbet (RIP), and XpressBet and they all have those seemingly basic features. I guess NJBets is better than I thought, though it's not as good as the aforementioned sites and I would like a choice.

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Monmouth is dismal, half the fields are 7 horses or less, some as small as 4 or 5. Such a far cry from last yrs elite meet.


Is it a different type meet than last year? Yes.
Half the fields 7 or less, some as small as 4 or 5? B.S.

[alhattab]

Some thoughts on how Morris Bailey can improve the customer experience and maybe draw more fans and cultivate new ones (I'm not touching on takeout):

1. Improve Audio/Video: The A/V experience in the picnic area is dreadful. Need a big screen in area between turf course chute and main turf course, and also one near the picnic area gate. Also need some more TVs. Also need a big screen in front of the grandstand.

2. Change the entry cost structure: I would drop the parking charges but charge admission of $8-$10, including program, for everyone >18. For every $200 bet, you get two free admissions. The idea w/ideas 1 and 2 are to get people that hang around the picnic area more involved in the game.

3. Enhance food and entertainment: Food is a bad scene (other than the clam chowder). I think they should consider bringing in outside restaurant to take over some grandstand space. Maybe a Chickie and Pete's to take over the north and west side of the grandstand (first and second floors?). The food isn't great but much better than what they have and this would add a year-round business to what is typically and empty part of the grandstand even during racing days, and would give the area a much-needed sports bar. Then for other eats mimic Saratoga's "Restaurant Row" in the back of the grandstand near the bandstand. I would also consider making the covered portion of the Lady's Secret at least 2x and probably 3x its current size.

4. Collaborate w/Parx and Delaware: There has to be a better way than this. NYRA will be in its own league when slots come on line. Monmouth cutting days and Parx not running in August help, but more needs to be done around stakes races and cutting even more days.

5. Add daily account betting one can do on a smartphone. I believe other tracks are starting to do this, and I believe it is critical to cultivate new people. People younger than 25 or so barely talk to their friends, why would they talk to a teller? Let them establish an account and bet through their phones.

6. Do something about the bathrooms. This seems trivial but I think it matters to the casual fan. I was at Delaware recently and while the place (both casino and racing) are moribund the entire interior including the bathrooms have been redone and it is much more pleasant than the stench that emerges from Mth's restrooms, and I can't imagine what some of the women must think!

7. A nit, but put a friggin toteboard above the walkway from the walking ring to the track please!

As someone else noted, Monmouth is blessed with an excellent fan base. People have been going with their families for years and the track is part of the area's fabric. The fan base seems relatively young, but Monmouth has to improve to retain these people. Competition not only from gaming but other forms of entertainment that have emerged over the years, from improvements in Long Branch to the Lakewood Blue Claws, has made things tougher. Monmouth needs to make the improvements noted above and undoubtedly some others to keep pace. While not in the midst of a big city, there is a sizeable, year-round population within a 30 minute drive of Mth. Remember the $30 million of renovations made before the BC? The average customer couldn't even tell any renovations were even made! These would be real changes that would bring Mth into the late 20th century while retaining it's charm.

[onefast99]

Some thoughts on how Morris Bailey can improve the customer experience and maybe draw more fans and cultivate new ones (I'm not touching on takeout):

1. Improve Audio/Video: The A/V experience in the picnic area is dreadful. Need a big screen in area between turf course chute and main turf course, and also one near the picnic area gate. Also need some more TVs. Also need a big screen in front of the grandstand.

2. Change the entry cost structure: I would drop the parking charges but charge admission of $8-$10, including program, for everyone >18. For every $200 bet, you get two free admissions. The idea w/ideas 1 and 2 are to get people that hang around the picnic area more involved in the game.

3. Enhance food and entertainment: Food is a bad scene (other than the clam chowder). I think they should consider bringing in outside restaurant to take over some grandstand space. Maybe a Chickie and Pete's to take over the north and west side of the grandstand (first and second floors?). The food isn't great but much better than what they have and this would add a year-round business to what is typically and empty part of the grandstand even during racing days, and would give the area a much-needed sports bar. Then for other eats mimic Saratoga's "Restaurant Row" in the back of the grandstand near the bandstand. I would also consider making the covered portion of the Lady's Secret at least 2x and probably 3x its current size.

4. Collaborate w/Parx and Delaware: There has to be a better way than this. NYRA will be in its own league when slots come on line. Monmouth cutting days and Parx not running in August help, but more needs to be done around stakes races and cutting even more days.

5. Add daily account betting one can do on a smartphone. I believe other tracks are starting to do this, and I believe it is critical to cultivate new people. People younger than 25 or so barely talk to their friends, why would they talk to a teller? Let them establish an account and bet through their phones.

6. Do something about the bathrooms. This seems trivial but I think it matters to the casual fan. I was at Delaware recently and while the place (both casino and racing) are moribund the entire interior including the bathrooms have been redone and it is much more pleasant than the stench that emerges from Mth's restrooms, and I can't imagine what some of the women must think!

7. A nit, but put a friggin toteboard above the walkway from the walking ring to the track please!

As someone else noted, Monmouth is blessed with an excellent fan base. People have been going with their families for years and the track is part of the area's fabric. The fan base seems relatively young, but Monmouth has to improve to retain these people. Competition not only from gaming but other forms of entertainment that have emerged over the years, from improvements in Long Branch to the Lakewood Blue Claws, has made things tougher. Monmouth needs to make the improvements noted above and undoubtedly some others to keep pace. While not in the midst of a big city, there is a sizeable, year-round population within a 30 minute drive of Mth. Remember the $30 million of renovations made before the BC? The average customer couldn't even tell any renovations were even made! These would be real changes that would bring Mth into the late 20th century while retaining it's charm.
You will begin to see some changes but nothing drastic. The food will be better by this time next year and there will be some real "merchandising" done by Mr Bailey. Hopefully you saw the tree trimming in the paddock area as for years those trees had to be avoided by the jockeys once they mounted their horses and began heading out to the tunnel and eventually to the main track. Bailey cares about this facility give him the needed time to make the improvements to return MP as one of the top race tracks in the nation.

[alhattab]

And another thing: either repurpose or get rid of the United Nations. How does it make sense to pay $750k purse and handle just over $1 million on the race? This is way too much money for mediocre horses. Teaks North is a nice horse that might handle Listed or G3 company in Europe or Asia. Plus NY runs the Man O War a week later. I'd repurpose the UN as a mile race on grass, couple it w/the Salvatore on dirt and tie them both in w/the BC mile races, move an older horse sprint race (one month after the True North) to the same date and add to it another BC division or maybe the Jersey Shore (3YO sprinters) to make an all-stakes pick 4 that will draw national attention. Take the UN $750k and redistribute a portion to help bring these races to bigger prominence. The UN is an anachronism.

[lamboguy]

And another thing: either repurpose or get rid of the United Nations. How does it make sense to pay $750k purse and handle just over $1 million on the race? This is way too much money for mediocre horses. Teaks North is a nice horse that might handle Listed or G3 company in Europe or Asia. Plus NY runs the Man O War a week later. I'd repurpose the UN as a mile race on grass, couple it w/the Salvatore on dirt and tie them both in w/the BC mile races, move an older horse sprint race (one month after the True North) to the same date and add to it another BC division or maybe the Jersey Shore (3YO sprinters) to make an all-stakes pick 4 that will draw national attention. Take the UN $750k and redistribute a portion to help bring these races to bigger prominence. The UN is an anachronism.
i agree. but its like that everywhere. the kentucky derby's purse is $2million, for not as good horses. i noticed today that the suburban purse was $300k down from what used to $500k. to me that race had better horses than the international field. how can the kentucky derby be $2 million and the belmont $1million?

to give monmouth some credit, they seem to run a very good program for the 3 days they are open. friday is usually a day filled with the cheaper races. todays races were great there, they had 2 great msw. races along with their stake races and a few alowance races mixed in.

not as many claims as last year though!

[alhattab]

i agree. but its like that everywhere. the kentucky derby's purse is $2million, for not as good horses. i noticed today that the suburban purse was $300k down from what used to $500k. to me that race had better horses than the international field. how can the kentucky derby be $2 million and the belmont $1million?

to give monmouth some credit, they seem to run a very good program for the 3 days they are open. friday is usually a day filled with the cheaper races. todays races were great there, they had 2 great msw. races along with their stake races and a few alowance races mixed in.

not as many claims as last year though!

I agree w/your quality point Lambo. I've had fun playing there this year. On the stakes race point, at least the Derby handles $100 million or so for that $2 million purse! If the UN drew more interest nationally that pulled much higher overall handle and on track interest it would make sense. But it doesn't. Overall handle for the day was $7 million or so. Definitely a very good day but if my recall is right only a million or so higher than other Saturdays.

[Robert Goren]

There are 4 days that get national attention, Triple Crowns days and the Breeders Cup and even The Breeders Cup suffers from competition with college football. Monmouth needs to get really good at running racing with they can afford to run and forget about getting too grandiose. They should study Louisiana racing, even though they have really crappy horses, they still manage to put on good bettable races. Imagine what they could do with the quality of horses than NJ has.

[Bluto Blutarsky]

And another thing: either repurpose or get rid of the United Nations. How does it make sense to pay $750k purse and handle just over $1 million on the race? This is way too much money for mediocre horses. Teaks North is a nice horse that might handle Listed or G3 company in Europe or Asia. Plus NY runs the Man O War a week later. I'd repurpose the UN as a mile race on grass, couple it w/the Salvatore on dirt and tie them both in w/the BC mile races, move an older horse sprint race (one month after the True North) to the same date and add to it another BC division or maybe the Jersey Shore (3YO sprinters) to make an all-stakes pick 4 that will draw national attention. Take the UN $750k and redistribute a portion to help bring these races to bigger prominence. The UN is an anachronism.

Great points, alhattab. I have heard that one of the changes that Bailey absolutely will make next season is to the United Nations. He, like you, feels it offers way too much money for short mediocre fields.