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Old 10-10-2018, 11:23 AM   #16
ZippyChippy423
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I know at one time they had several OTB’s in Mahattan. Does anyone know if they still do and what would be a better locstion visit?
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Old 10-10-2018, 11:25 AM   #17
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It makes zero sense for a track to not want a remodel unless it foresees it to go out of business. As far as I know the track makes a much larger profit if money is wagered on location. The other thing is you always hear track management or owners complaining that nobody comes out to the track anymore and bet online etc blah blah blah. Ya know 20-30 years ago couples, friends and groups came out to the track because it was a nice venue at the time. Who the hell wants to go out of there way to visit depressing cemeteries like Monticello and Pimlico? Imagine bringing a date there? I think a track like Aqueduct should be shut down and NYRA switches between Belmont and Saratoga. Summer/ fall racing at TOGA would be sweet. When Gulfstream rebuilt they saw the future( smart people) and made a much smaller grandstand area. It’s my favorite track except for the turf course which is being redone for the winter meet !
Track owners can "want" something all day long but redevelopment in major markets is $$$$ and there's ZERO reason to believe there would be a break even during their grandchildren's lifetimes.

Have you been to Gulfstream in person? Nice place, agreed, but on-track crowd is nothing to brag about, and the opening of the nearby Aventura Mall made it even sparser. I'd almost rather be at a depressing cemetery than I would an empty but 'upscale' restaurant.
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Old 10-10-2018, 11:30 AM   #18
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I have never been there, but I've seen some photos here from posters who had meeting there. Looks like a great view from the upper grandstand. FL has a similar view, albeit a smaller scale.

I've been to both Belmont and Aqueduct and found them both great for fans/bettors.

Belmont is a BIG beautiful park and a terrific place for everyone from families to serious bettors. I've lived on the Belmont backstretch and it is like a picturesque village, though the buildings are over 100 years old and could burn like matchboxes. Plenty of space and if you show up early, even on big race days, you can get a great grandstand seat.

Aqueduct has been called a "racing factory" and though it's meant as a derogatory description, is really a good efficient place for betters and fans.

Both have excellent grandstand views but you're going to need a good pair of binoculars to see the Belmont backstretch as Big Sandy really is big.

Of course, I haven't been there in years so some things may have changed.

Last edited by bobphilo; 10-10-2018 at 11:44 AM.
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Old 10-10-2018, 02:52 PM   #19
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Is the walking ring paddock still a pit below ground? If so Aqueduct needs to shut the track down. Nobody looks forward to the 4/5 horse fields in the winter..
Heresy!!

I love the Big A, the paddock, the gulls and the always interesting patrons. Wish they had kept the inner.
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Old 10-10-2018, 03:00 PM   #20
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I know at one time they had several OTB’s in Mahattan. Does anyone know if they still do and what would be a better locstion visit?
NYC OTB went bankrupt several years ago. I remember betting there back when I lived in the Big Apple.
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Old 10-10-2018, 07:39 PM   #21
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Scioto Downs

Scioto Downs on the South side of Columbus, Ohio is an embarrassment. The grandstand has been unsafe and hasn't been used for a few years. Last year they had port-johns outside for people to use.
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Old 10-10-2018, 08:07 PM   #22
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Scioto Downs on the South side of Columbus, Ohio is an embarrassment. The grandstand has been unsafe and hasn't been used for a few years. Last year they had port-johns outside for people to use.
Really? What about the casino next door?
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Old 10-10-2018, 08:21 PM   #23
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Scioto Downs

Adjacent newer slot building next door is well maintained. There is an old mattress laying in their infield now.

Last edited by porchy44; 10-10-2018 at 08:23 PM. Reason: additional info
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Old 10-10-2018, 11:33 PM   #24
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It makes zero sense for a track to not want a remodel unless it foresees it to go out of business. As far as I know the track makes a much larger profit if money is wagered on location. The other thing is you always hear track management or owners complaining that nobody comes out to the track anymore and bet online etc blah blah blah. Ya know 20-30 years ago couples, friends and groups came out to the track because it was a nice venue at the time. Who the hell wants to go out of there way to visit depressing cemeteries like Monticello and Pimlico? Imagine bringing a date there? I think a track like Aqueduct should be shut down and NYRA switches between Belmont and Saratoga. Summer/ fall racing at TOGA would be sweet. When Gulfstream rebuilt they saw the future( smart people) and made a much smaller grandstand area. It’s my favorite track except for the turf course which is being redone for the winter meet !
Scenario

A track spends 5 million to upgrade (low number) and how long do you think it takes to fill those seats in a Senario like above? 2 years? 3 years? Businesses cannot wait that long for a return. I don’t care who you are. You put your money where you will get the fastest return. Btw, I don’t think you will fill those seats in your remodeled track. YOU JUST LOST 5 MILLION BUCKS

There are very few tracks out there that could survive the remodel scenario. There should be ten tracks in this country. Not fifty.
The fact that 30-40 tracks nurse themselves off the crappy profit they make now, only hurts everyone involved in the sport. It’s just not a viable sport anymore with so many participant tracks, no horses etc.

There are way too many choices for young people today. They will not be attracted to racing ever again. Racing does nothing to attract them, and they consider the game too hard. There is nothing going to change the course the game is on.

Nobody takes a date to the track, btw. Not anymore.
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Old 10-12-2018, 05:57 PM   #25
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Finger Lakes is trying to get a turf course in but that hasn't got off the ground yet. You need money in order to remodel these tracks. The owners does HAVE money but is it worth paying for these upgrades? Maybe not
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Old 10-18-2018, 02:26 PM   #26
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look for a bunch of tracks to promise major renovations, if given Sports betting at their establishments.

Fairmount Park has already started their lobbying, with Casino Queen their Casino partner.
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