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09-22-2007, 02:02 PM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: At The Track
Posts: 292
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Ohio Horsemen Pull Signal
The Ohio Horsemen pulled the Thistledown signal from 8 outlets yesterday. The horsemen want more for their signal even though the outlets have a contract with Track Net Media (and approved by the Ohio Horsemen) through the end of the current Thistle meet.
The Horsemen want to increase the rate for the signal. I am told that the following were cutoff RGS, Wembley, Elite, 3 Other Greyhound Tracks, Pocono Downs and The Meadows. The information I received is that the horsemen decided that The Meadows and Pocono have slot revenue therefore they should be paying more. The other 6 pay rebates therefore they can pay more for the signal.
One piece of information that I have yet to verify is that part of the reason is that the horsemen only recieve 33% of the signal fee. That it is not the normal 50/50 split of the signal fee. Can anyone verify that this is correct.
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09-22-2007, 02:27 PM
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#2
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Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Boynton Beach, Florida
Posts: 1,314
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by northerndancer
The Ohio Horsemen pulled the Thistledown signal from 8 outlets yesterday. The horsemen want more for their signal even though the outlets have a contract with Track Net Media (and approved by the Ohio Horsemen) through the end of the current Thistle meet.
The Horsemen want to increase the rate for the signal. I am told that the following were cutoff RGS, Wembley, Elite, 3 Other Greyhound Tracks, Pocono Downs and The Meadows. The information I received is that the horsemen decided that The Meadows and Pocono have slot revenue therefore they should be paying more. The other 6 pay rebates therefore they can pay more for the signal.
One piece of information that I have yet to verify is that part of the reason is that the horsemen only recieve 33% of the signal fee. That it is not the normal 50/50 split of the signal fee. Can anyone verify that this is correct.
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I don't know about the 33% vs the 50% but this is exactly what they told me they were going to do back in February, cut off all the ADWs. Head of the Ohio HPBA told me the horsemen's share of the signal fee should equal 7% of handle. He thought the tracks should get 5% on top of that. I told Beulah's simulcast director he should probably find another job, which he did (seriously) one month later.
Last edited by Premier Turf Club; 09-22-2007 at 02:29 PM.
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09-22-2007, 02:31 PM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: At The Track
Posts: 292
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I also heard that Beulah is attempting to negotiate higher signal fees for their 2008 contracts.
I am ok with the negotiation aspect of the contract since it pertains to an event that will take place in the future. I do not agree with this tactic of pulling access to a signal that you have previously agreed to be part of the deal.
I will support the horsemen's right but only if done in a professional and ethical manner. The Ohio Horsemen are way out of line in relation to this situation.
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09-22-2007, 02:34 PM
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 10,861
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How does reducing handle on their signal help them?
If no one ever bets on a Thistledown race again, will they be missed?
I'm a native Ohioan, so I wish them luck. But I'm not sure it's the right tactic. Seems to me they need every penny of income they can get.
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09-22-2007, 03:10 PM
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 633
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Higher host fees work fine as long as source market fees are reduced. This way the track taking the action gets compensated adequately and the horsemen for such track as well. A state like Virginia that I believe has the entire state as a source market is a dinosaur if the model is going to work. If a person wagers on Santa Anita in Phoenix, why should Turf Paradise get much of a piece of the pie from such wager.
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09-22-2007, 03:11 PM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 633
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oops...forgot no one in Phoenix can wager through an ADW 
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09-22-2007, 03:27 PM
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 10,861
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If Thistledown ceased operating would anyone besides the horsemen and employees notice or care?
Do many ADW customers bet seriously on Thistledown?
Would be interested in hearing replies.
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09-22-2007, 03:58 PM
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#8
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Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 423
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by swetyejohn
If Thistledown ceased operating would anyone besides the horsemen and employees notice or care?
Do many ADW customers bet seriously on Thistledown?
Would be interested in hearing replies.
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i don't
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09-22-2007, 04:26 PM
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#9
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The Voice of Reason!
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Canandaigua, New york
Posts: 112,887
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People would actually pay money to watch an Ohio race?????
Not exaclty the top of the t-bred list of tracks to bet.
The good old horsemen, once again acting like spoiled little kids.
__________________
Who does the Racing Form Detective like in this one?
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09-22-2007, 04:46 PM
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#10
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@TimeformUSfigs
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Moore, OK
Posts: 46,828
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I bet them just like any other track. However, if Tdn and/or Beu disappears from the menu, I think I'll sleep just fine that night.
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09-22-2007, 05:29 PM
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: bullhead city, az
Posts: 1,157
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by swetyejohn
If Thistledown ceased operating would anyone besides the horsemen and employees notice or care?
Do many ADW customers bet seriously on Thistledown?
Would be interested in hearing replies.
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nope...they're not on PTC
__________________
"Marines - Providing Enemies of America an Opportunity To Die For their
Country Since 1775"
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09-22-2007, 06:15 PM
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#12
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Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Boynton Beach, Florida
Posts: 1,314
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by prospector
nope...they're not on PTC
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Not for lack of effort. Turned us down on 3 occasions. Said they weren't interested in any more ADWs.
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09-22-2007, 08:27 PM
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 677
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The Ohio horsemen seem to amung the more aggressive out there. Hard to understand in the crowded simulcast market. If it weren't for the Beulah Twins, handle would be many millions lower. Beulah actually is making an effort to raise handle with the Twins and their Fortune Six bet, and the horsemen think they are NY racing or something. They should be selling their signal to anyone that will take it. It is a state in deep doo doo. No slots and surrounded by states with slots or better racing. Thistledown wants fewer race dates, lots of good news huh?
Once again these guys have it wrong. It is not about fighting for a bigger piece of the existing pie, it is about making the pie bigger.
Last edited by alydar; 09-22-2007 at 08:28 PM.
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09-22-2007, 08:32 PM
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 10,861
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Maybe they figure they've got nothing to lose at this point?
Without slots, maybe they figure their days are numbered?
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09-22-2007, 09:04 PM
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#15
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Traded By Cubs
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: 2 miles north of Wrigley Field
Posts: 5,339
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Plus Magna has put Thistledowns up for sale.
Maybe new ownership will feel differently. Of course, maybe new ownership might want just the land - don't know much about the property.
If I recall correctly, there are no OTB's in Ohio either. Gambling choices are either live at the track, or the state lottery. (Or cross the state boarder to an OTB or a casino).
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