All-sources average daily handle declines $566,715 a day at So. California

[jelly]

Daily handle down $566,715 a day from last year in So California.


According to figures released after racing each day, the meeting had an ontrack average attendance of 6,805. Ontrack average handle was $1,322,702 while all-sources handle averaged $6,631,285.

The 2010 Oak Tree at Hollywood Park meeting had an all-sources average daily handle of $7,198,000, according to limited data released by Oak Tree after that meeting


http://www.drf.com/news/santa-anita-finishes-meet-strong

[Some_One]

Guess it wasn't the polytrack.

[PaceAdvantage]

When did the boycott start?

[Jeff P]

Cal Racing handle took a direct hit coinciding with announcement of the bill.

Exacta Takeout:

AQU-BEL-SAR: 18.50%

CDX-KEE: 19.00%

GPX: 20.00%

DMR-HOL-GGX-SAX: 22.68%



Exacta takeout in California isn't just 22.68%.

It's 22.6 percent HIGHER than NYRA's exacta takeout - and absurdly out of line given quality of product relative to other major tracks.

When handle is analyzed by wager type the negative effect of the takeout increase is glaring. The number of races in California where the exacta pool is $100k vs. the number of races at other major tracks where the exacta pool is $200k, $300k, and $400k tells a story that can be summed up in 3 words:

Bettors aren't stupid.

The reality of those 3 words is starting to dawn on a lot of people in the industry in California - who have recently changed their minds about the takeout increase - and who are now (quietly behind the scenes) calling for a takeout reduction.


-jp

.

[Robert Goren]

So much for the theory that higher takeout means higher purses means fuller fields means higher handle.

[mannyberrios]

So much for the theory that higher takeout means higher purses means fuller fields means higher handle.
Higher takeout means more fun at the track!

[andymays]

Higher takeout means more fun at the track!
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/59066/put-the-fun-back-in-racing-brackpool-urges

Excerpt:

While the recession leveled major blows to racing’s welfare, Brackpool noted that it also provided needed impetus for change.

“Five, six years ago, the industry was in complete denial,” he said. “Structural change was needed. Last year was the first time people came up to me and said, ‘This thing is broken’—which is good. People realize now change is needed.”

He believes a new law signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger may help kick start racing’s reinvention. The bill, which goes into effect Jan. 1, increases takeout on exotic wagers and clears the way for exchange wagering, or head-to-head betting, in 2012 after CHRB creates rules to regulate that form of betting.

“We offer in California the premier racing product on a year-round basis,” he said, “but we were offering our first-class product at a discount price. We’re changing the pricing model. We left win-place-show where it is. But we came up with a solution that will produce $30 million more a year. That’s a 25-to-30% increase in overnight purses.

[andymays]

The figures reported are all mixed up and they don't make much sense. They didn't have a good meet no matter what anyone says.

[jelly]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/59066/put-the-fun-back-in-racing-brackpool-urges

Excerpt:

While the recession leveled major blows to racing’s welfare, Brackpool noted that it also provided needed impetus for change.

“Five, six years ago, the industry was in complete denial,” he said. “Structural change was needed. Last year was the first time people came up to me and said, ‘This thing is broken’—which is good. People realize now change is needed.”

He believes a new law signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger may help kick start racing’s reinvention. The bill, which goes into effect Jan. 1, increases takeout on exotic wagers and clears the way for exchange wagering, or head-to-head betting, in 2012 after CHRB creates rules to regulate that form of betting.

“We offer in California the premier racing product on a year-round basis,” he said, “but we were offering our first-class product at a discount price. We’re changing the pricing model. We left win-place-show where it is. But we came up with a solution that will produce $30 million more a year. That’s a 25-to-30% increase in overnight purses.




These quotes are just amazing!

[andymays]

Doesn't this press release conflict with what was in the DRF article?

http://www.paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/santa-anita-meet-closes-with-attendance-handle-gains/

Excerpt:

In addition to on-track increases, Santa Anita’s overall business showed improvement as well. All-source average daily handle was up five percent compared to 2009 and the all-source handle was up 22 percent when compared to the same dates that were run at Hollywood Park in 2010.

[Robert Goren]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/59066/put-the-fun-back-in-racing-brackpool-urges

Excerpt:

While the recession leveled major blows to racing’s welfare, Brackpool noted that it also provided needed impetus for change.

“Five, six years ago, the industry was in complete denial,” he said. “Structural change was needed. Last year was the first time people came up to me and said, ‘This thing is broken’—which is good. People realize now change is needed.”

He believes a new law signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger may help kick start racing’s reinvention. The bill, which goes into effect Jan. 1, increases takeout on exotic wagers and clears the way for exchange wagering, or head-to-head betting, in 2012 after CHRB creates rules to regulate that form of betting.

“We offer in California the premier racing product on a year-round basis,” he said, “but we were offering our first-class product at a discount price. We’re changing the pricing model. We left win-place-show where it is. But we came up with a solution that will produce $30 million more a year. That’s a 25-to-30% increase in overnight purses. They continue to believe that takeout has little or no effect on handle. That is not only true in California but across the country. Judging by the posts on this forum by horsemen, they think all they have to do is come up with right gimmick wager (like pick 5s) and everything will be fine. Heaven forbid that anyone suggest that lower the take out will actually increase revenues to sport. To them, that is dumbest idea they have ever heard and will fight it tooth and nail. They don't even want to "waste" slot money in the racinos on the bettors.

[Robert Goren]

They claim the numbers are up, but when you look at the actual numbers they are down. Hum! They consider a career change and go to work for the defense department counting dead enemy soldiers.

[andymays]

They continue to believe that takeout has little or no effect on handle. That is not only true in California but across the country. Judging by the posts on this forum by horsemen, they think all they have to do is come up with right gimmick wager (like pick 5s) and everything will be fine. Heaven forbid that anyone suggest that lower the take out will actually increase revenues to sport. To them, that is dumbest idea they have ever heard and will fight it tooth and nail. They don't even want to "waste" slot money in the racinos on the bettors.

You guys know this quote was from 2010 right? Brackpool is obviously no Nostradamus.

[andymays]

Using comparative days from 2009 they are probably down somewhere in the neighborhood of 4%-7% on Santa Anita races only. The figures they used in this instance most likely include wagers made on out of state races. By the way California is just doing what other jurisdiction do by putting the best spin on a bad situation but in California everything is watched more closely.

[rwwupl]

Cal Racing handle took a direct hit coinciding with announcement of the bill.

Exacta Takeout:

AQU-BEL-SAR: 18.50%

CDX-KEE: 19.00%

GPX: 20.00%

DMR-HOL-GGX-SAX: 22.68%



Exacta takeout in California isn't just 22.68%.

It's 22.6 percent HIGHER than NYRA's exacta takeout - and absurdly out of line given quality of product relative to other major tracks.

When handle is analyzed by wager type the negative effect of the takeout increase is glaring. The number of races in California where the exacta pool is $100k vs. the number of races at other major tracks where the exacta pool is $200k, $300k, and $400k tells a story that can be summed up in 3 words:

Bettors aren't stupid.

The reality of those 3 words is starting to dawn on a lot of people in the industry in California - who have recently changed their minds about the takeout increase - and who are now (quietly behind the scenes) calling for a takeout reduction.


-jp

.


Clear and to the point.

California racing rests on the pari-mutuel racing handle. Handle is in decline because the core pari-mutuel bettor has found that the bets in California are not attractive as compared to other options.

California racing is losing market share and pari-mutuel handle and all the decision makers know it .


More winning bettors would start a comeback for California racing, and put an end to the self serving interests of a few.

"Take out " is the obvious key to sending home a few more winners among the most unappreciated person in racing, the wagering customer.

The takeout is too damn high, and the task of finding the "optimum" take is frustrated by the few who do not respect the big picture for the good of all.

Yes , despite all the negatives,there is a flurry of things going on (behind the scene) between the decision makers, that I believe will produce many changes, and our favorite game will be better off for them .

I agree, "bettors are not stupid"

Keep the faith, and continue to support the effort for change.

Roger Way

[statepierback]

The figures reported are all mixed up and they don't make much sense. They didn't have a good meet no matter what anyone says.

I was on track Sunday and an unnamed employee told me the some creative number crunching may have been used.

[andymays]

I was on track Sunday and an unnamed employee told me the some creative number crunching may have been used.

There are several different ways to report. Everyone knows the numbers (up 5%) in the article are inflated.