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Originally Posted by Saratoga_Mike
The fields are often small, making many of the races unattractive from a betting standpoint. But the track owners have put a lot of money into the racing side of the business, from the best simulcast room outside of Vegas to the second best paddock in the country (behind Saratoga), as well as monthly handicapping tournaments and a big outside area that is very family friendly. There are just too many race dates on the East Coast for management to present a compelling racing product. If you have an idea of how to attract more entrants, I'm sure the racing secretary would be receptive.
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They should lease the track to Stronarch and allow them to create a year-round Laurel/Pimlico/Delaware circuit.
If not run less dates. Do a 1-2 month meet with higher purses. Similar to Kentucky Downs.
Maybe that combined with racing in the fall like they did 40 years ago. Basically attract the Monmouth horses as that meet ends.
If not they should add lights and race nights. Considering how beautiful the track is and how they only race in the summer now and the Meadowlands, AC, Garden State don't race TB's anymore there's a window. Friday nights in the summer up against Del Mar would be particularly nice.
If they got lights they could then cut a deal with Dover and race their harness dates there. Dover would love to get rid of the harness and the horseman would love to race on the mile. Plus mile harness generally out performs on the handle side so there's revenue upside. Probably not a ton but enough to pay for the surface switch. Plus you have a training track so you could have TB's stabled there while you raced harness on the main.
The harsh reality if the Rickman's gave up on the racing a while ago. They're priorities in this order are...
1. Casino
2. NFL Wagering
3. Expanding sports wagering
4. Simulcasting
5. Live Racing
Ever notice they stopped racing live on Sundays against the NFL wagering? That's how much they care.
The bottomline is this. They have a lot going for them. They have slot purses. A great location that can pull horses from a ton of circuits AND you're 15 minutes from Fair Hill so those guys will always race there.
It should be a LOT BETTER.
