Belmont Super Saturday attendance.

[thespaah]

Not reported on Equibase.
On track handle was 3.29 million. Based on the usual Saturday per capita of about $250 or so I'm guessing about 12 to 15k on hand.
Was anyone there that could offer a guess?

[titans1127]

It definitely felt like 12k though in the past when it felt like that there would only be about 9k reported.

They also had way more bobbleheads than the 6k they advertised. They were just giving them out with no coupon by the 8th race. That's the only way I was able to get one.

The biggest travesty was the $6 program charge instead of the usual overpriced $4. Only addition was races 4-10 were printed on glossy photo-like paper instead of the usual newspaper print.

[thespaah]

Originally Posted by titans1127

It definitely felt like 12k though in the past when it felt like that there would only be about 9k reported.

They also had way more bobbleheads than the 6k they advertised. They were just giving them out with no coupon by the 8th race. That's the only way I was able to get one.

The biggest travesty was the $6 program charge instead of the usual overpriced $4. Only addition was races 4-10 were printed on glossy photo-like paper instead of the usual newspaper print.

Six bucks for a program.....That's just too much.
I hate that glossy paper. Makes it harder to write down my notes.
Yeah, I could use a marker instead of a pen, but ya have to make sure it dries quickly. PITA.

[Tom]

$6? Is that the "fan friendly" edition?
You can get the whole DRF for $9.
Do they make you touch tour toes when you buy it?

[classhandicapper]

Originally Posted by thespaah

Not reported on Equibase.
On track handle was 3.29 million. Based on the usual Saturday per capita of about $250 or so I'm guessing about 12 to 15k on hand.
Was anyone there that could offer a guess?

It's hard to tell because they shut down a huge section of the grandstand. But it was way more crowed than usual in the open section and there was a huge crowd out back where the paddock and food trucks were.

It's hard to believe they can't get even more people than that out there on such a beautiful day with good racing, but I guess the cost of transportation, entrance, program, food etc... adds up if you are not heavily into the racing.

[OTM Al]

As I said in the other thread, two less than should have been there showed up due to another bungled parking job.

[thespaah]

Originally Posted by classhandicapper

It's hard to tell because they shut down a huge section of the grandstand. But it was way more crowed than usual in the open section and there was a huge crowd out back where the paddock and food trucks were.

It's hard to believe they can't get even more people than that out there on such a beautiful day with good racing, but I guess the cost of transportation, entrance, program, food etc... adds up if you are not heavily into the racing.

I can tell you anyone coming from NJ downstate NY or Ct is going to incur at least $20 in tolls. And that is with EZ Pass.
That's a big bite. Then $5 to get in. $6 for a Program, etc.....
Yer out $30 before you sit down and open your program.

[Grits]

Originally Posted by thespaah

I can tell you anyone coming from NJ downstate NY or Ct is going to incur at least $20 in tolls. And that is with EZ Pass.
That's a big bite. Then $5 to get in. $6 for a Program, etc.....
Yer out $30 before you sit down and open your program.

You're out more than this if you're coming from south of the McHenry tunnel (the first toll, northbound). Much more with the Delaware, the NJTP, the Goethals, the Verrazano. Other direction, add the NY Thruway. It goes on and on. After fifteen years, one spends a small fortune round trip to Belmont and Saratoga. Its part of getting there.

What is spent parking and walking into the track? Doesn't compare, so I don't complain. Spaah, I imagine you've traveled it often, too.

[Rex Phinney]

That sounds like someone is in your pocket all the time.

I drive about 100 miles to Santa Anita, no tolls, takes 1 hour and 40 minutes, parking is $5 and they don't get you lost. Programs are $2.50 every day.

Yesterday the track comped us 10 box seats and Clubhouse Admissions along with 2 valet parking passes. About 90% of the time if we call for tickets in advance of race day they comp whatever we want. We aren't high rollers by any means, they just know we come a lot so they take care of us.

[dirty moose]

Belmont on a random Wednesday afternoon is a crock, $5 to walk in.

[NY BRED]

Originally Posted by Grits

You're out more than this if you're coming from south of the McHenry tunnel (the first toll, northbound). Much more with the Delaware, the NJTP, the Goethals, the Verrazano. Other direction, add the NY Thruway. It goes on and on. After fifteen years, one spends a small fortune round trip to Belmont and Saratoga. Its part of getting there.

What is spent parking and walking into the track? Doesn't compare, so I don't complain. Spaah, I imagine you've traveled it often, too.

what about using Amtrack-Penn Station and then using the Belmont
special which makes 2 stops and then deposits you at the track. Less wear and tear on you and the car, allows you to handicap and even chat with fellow handicappers?

Or, simply stay home, saving the $$ and add that amount to your usual
betting $$. Just a thought not being sarcastic.

[Grits]

Originally Posted by NY BRED

what about using Amtrack-Penn Station and then using the Belmont
special which makes 2 stops and then deposits you at the track. Less wear and tear on you and the car, allows you to handicap and even chat with fellow handicappers?

Or, simply stay home, saving the $$ and add that amount to your usual
betting $$. Just a thought not being sarcastic.

NYB, yes, I have gone up on the train. Amtrack, arriving at Penn Station. Always take business class. Very roomy and comfortable with plug-in by each seat for laptop, footrests, wine (if I want it), and quiet as can be. It costs little more than my driving..gas and tolls. And like you say, time for handicapping.

[tanner12oz]

Originally Posted by thespaah

I can tell you anyone coming from NJ downstate NY or Ct is going to incur at least $20 in tolls. And that is with EZ Pass.
That's a big bite. Then $5 to get in. $6 for a Program, etc.....
Yer out $30 before you sit down and open your program.

in order for me to get there from pa it seriously incurs like $30 plus dollars in tolls EACH WAY...
not worth it

[tanner12oz]

Originally Posted by NY BRED

what about using Amtrack-Penn Station and then using the Belmont
special which makes 2 stops and then deposits you at the track. Less wear and tear on you and the car, allows you to handicap and even chat with fellow handicappers?

Or, simply stay home, saving the $$ and add that amount to your usual
betting $$. Just a thought not being sarcastic.

the Belmont special that abandoned thousands of people on Belmont day?

[Fingal]

Originally Posted by titans1127

It definitely felt like 12k though in the past when it felt like that there would only be about 9k reported.

They also had way more bobbleheads than the 6k they advertised. They were just giving them out with no coupon by the 8th race. That's the only way I was able to get one.

Santa Anita attendance was listed at only a bit over 17K. And like what you're saying, I believe the limited number of Breeder's Cup cooler bags they were giving out to Thoroughbred members had plenty of extras left at the end of the day.