Pimlico vs Laurel

[Tom]

Originally Posted by SuperPickle

He wants it like Gulfstream and Santa Anita. Essentially a racetrack surrounded by a mall.

Pimlico would be better off if it were surrounded by a moat.
I've been in classier men's rooms than that neighborhood.

[thespaah]

Originally Posted by dilanesp

1. I have been to both tracks. I love Laurel. I think its setting has a natural beauty that Pimlico (an urban racetrack) lacks.

2. I agree the "renovations" at Laurel are nothing special.

3. I also agree that Laurel is nowhere near hosting a Breeders' Cup. It would need a complete remodel a la Arlington in the late 1980's.

4. But I do think Laurel is the future of Maryland racing. There's basically nothing that can be done with Pimlico. It is boxed in. It is expensive to operate. It only makes money two days a year. It's in a bad location.

If they did want to spend the money, it is possible to make Laurel into a really great track, one that could host the Preakness as well as the Breeders' Cup. There's no hope for Pimlico at all.

It is most unfortunate that the neighborhood surrounding Old Hilltop has suffered such decline. The area is a microcosm of the city of Baltimore. save for the renovated and revitalized Inner Harbor and Downtown areas, the city is in poor condition. Years of political and economic neglect are the cause.
Ironically, it is these similar conditions that scuttled Hialeah Park. That track sat in a bad area as well. And I believe this was used by those over at Gulfstream Park to convince the Florida Legislature to give the prime Winter dates to GP in perpetuity.
I think the only reason Pimilco exists as a racing facility today IS the Preakness.

[thespaah]

Originally Posted by EMD4ME

I'll never forget Roosevelt. That was a shame. In my dream world. AQU/BEL/SAR run during the day, 6 days a week.

Night time thoroughbreds at Roosevelt (expansion and conversion of old track). Maybe make it Fingers Lake south (cheap races only). Sigh....what could've been if the Cuomo's actually liked the industry.

Roosevelt's downfall was caused by rapidly escalating real estate values in that part of Nassau County( Old Westbury, Town of Hempstead)....The track was having trouble competing with The Meadowlands when that track was in its heyday. Purse levels began to fall. Horsemen stopped shipping back and forth between Yonkers and Roosevelt when Yonkers closed. They went over to New Jersey.
Its a shame. Roosevelt Raceway had a uniqueness about it. And a ton of history.
And no one who frequented that track could ever forget that unusual tote board.

[RunForTheRoses]

Originally Posted by thespaah

Roosevelt's downfall was caused by rapidly escalating real estate values in that part of Nassau County( Old Westbury, Town of Hempstead)....The track was having trouble competing with The Meadowlands when that track was in its heyday. Purse levels began to fall. Horsemen stopped shipping back and forth between Yonkers and Roosevelt when Yonkers closed. They went over to New Jersey.
Its a shame. Roosevelt Raceway had a uniqueness about it. And a ton of history.
And no one who frequented that track could ever forget that unusual tote board.

I forget the tote board, refresh my memory.

Memories of Roosevelt:

In late 70s my father took the family there on an outing. There were two, uhm bums, sort of, 50s or 60 yos fighting, everyone gathered around watching, my Mom ushering us kids away.

1983, 18, went with my friend, good Tequila Sunrises, remember I won a "lot" of money, about $160.

ca. 1985 went one night with my father, only third floor was open, place was on its last legs.

[RunForTheRoses]

Roosevelt Raceway introduced a new type of tote board which showed what a horses possible win place and show prices will be rather than display the odds.
http://www.angelfire.com/ny2/sgtjeff/rr.html

OK, the smoking crater of my mind remembers that.