Mountaineer 2017?
 

I've been hearing rumors, bad ones about Mountaineer lately. Did they tell everyone in the racing department they were being let go? No horses allowed on back side again after live racing ended in November. Hope this is just temporary and all are brought back in April. I'm sure Peter Berry and Mountainman would know the truth.

RR

Can't say I'm surprised. The place is like a ghost town anymore. The only thing going for it is the onsite hotel. Income down over 50% since 2014. I hated coming home smelling like tobacco smoke, but that was one of the few draws that MNR had left until the county banned smoking.

Future doesn't look bright for Mountaineer, sad to say. It's location was once fabulous, as it drew from Pittsburgh, Youngstown, Akron/Canton/Cleveland. Now the location is a huge problem. Plus, the entire layout, having a separate huge building for the track grandstand doesn't help matters at all.

The old saying "three strikes and you're out"....MNR has about 10 strikes now.

I grade tracks compared to how profitable my handicapping is there. There are 3 levels, Banned (I no longer wager there) OK, and Good. Mountaineer is on the Banned list. To me on average about 1 race a day defies explanation at most tracks, which to me means I can't give any reason for the winner to have won after the race is over. I call these WTF races, for me on most days over half the races at Mountaineer qualify as those types. Typical would be a horse with a low pace figure easily wiring the field unchallenged or a horse closing from far back against a soft pace in a 6 furlong race. Not saying something is fishy I just suck there without a good explanation for it. I don't wish them to shut down, I don't want any track to close, I just can't afford to play there.

I guess I am weird, I don't smoke and the smell doesn't bother me. In fact when I smell second hand smoke I fondly think of the track or a casino. I consider it part of the ambiance of a gambling establishment. My cat pees on my clothes in my laundry basket of dirty clothes anyway so a little smoky smell doesn't hurt anything.

Yes, everyone in the racing department has been let go. Most likely we will have to reapply for our jobs on a seasonal basis. I expect to be rehired but a lot can happen between now and mid-April. Right now I'm unemployed but I'll be calling the quarter horse meet at Louisiana Downs (46 days) starting Jan. 7.

Thought that was the case Peter. I know some other tracks have been doing the same thing, as far as re-applying for their jobs yearly. Good Luck down South!

RR

What do they expect to accomplish by doing that? Doesn't seem like good business to me, seems like it would cost money and not save it.

Benefits for full time employees cost a lot of money. That is probably the reason, but I'm guessing.

Correct.

Are the level of benefits dictated by union contracts?

Where do I start the petition to get you a major circuit gig? If anyone deserves a shot at calling the races at a big-time track, it's you.

Strongly agree.

Very true.

A guy that works there already said "correct". I said I was guessing so I'm stepping out now.

To our loyal employees"

Merry Christmas, now get the HELL out here and stay out!

Lovely little operation. Bah, humbug.