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Another One Bites the Dust
Another one bites the dust!
There may have been gross mismanagement of the finances of this track that aided the demise of Yavapai downs but that is yet another symptom of the disease that is leading to the downfall of horse racing in Arizona.
The owner and managers of tracks in this state are out of touch with the world of horse racing. First, they must realize and accept that horse racing is beautiful and awe inspiring BUT I assure you, only a tiny, tiny piece of the population would attend if there were no gambling. What? People gamble at the horse races? SHOCKING!. Promote this aspect of the sport. Horse racing has some huge jackpots and exciting wagering options. Let people know. Quit being ashamed of this aspect of the sport!
Next, if you want people to attend your tracks and OTB's, make them attractive and terminate the employment of sub-par employees. Why would somebody want to spend the day at the races only to be treated indifferently and rudely by tellers. Oh, and you might want to actaully teach your tellers about horse racing! Many have no knowledge of the sport.That would certainally make the expericnce much more pleasent for your customers.
Tracks should treat their clients (usually thought of as pain in the ass customers) as the casinos in Las Vegas do. Make them feel important. Have somebody by the self-serve machines to help new visitor to the track. Serve decent fairly priced food. Provide programs that have some useful information in them (you should see what we have to pay $2 for here-it is a joke!) You get the idea.
The OTB's in this state that you tried to drive clients to by opposing ADW ( I don't care what you say, I believe you opposed it thinking we would all flock to your dirty, dark OTB's and the track) are a joke. I have been to most and have only found two tellers that even cared if their clients were well take care of. The rest should be fired immediately, even if you have to close down for a couple of weeks. The rooms are dingy and you can almost never see the races you wish to. You see, here in Arizona, the OTB's are located in bars where the owners think of horse players as a daily irritation. The owners do not receive any payment from the tracks for allowing the OTB's in them. They complain horse players do not spend money of food and drink. This is partially true but the owners do not take into account that these clients are in their bar many times a week and they do not offer a horse players menu. This could be four or five items that are highly profitable to the bar and at the same time affordable to horse players that visit everyday. If you don't want horse players in your bar, then don't sign the agreement to house an OTB!!!
Here is my vision for racing in Arizona (no charge should anyone actually choose to pay attention):
1) Hire ethical and honest management that truly knows and appreciates ALL aspects of the game including the gambling aspect.
2) Revamp your OTB system so that all of your clients are welcome in well lit facilities with tellers that know their job and care. Or better yet, actually get you heads out of your rear end and lobby to open an in-state ADW site.
3) Promote horse racing in the state as a circuit. Arizona still has a wonderful circuit of county fair thoroughbred and quarter horse meets. The number of tracks are dwindling but there are still plenty of meets. I will bet that almost nobody outside the state knows about this! One of the most exciting places in the state to watch horse racing live is at the county fair meet at Rilito Downs. The place is packed!
4) Make the track financially responsible with strict oversight by the state. Corruption in horse racing must be addressed and addressed with vigor. I'm not saying state employees are on the dole but you have to wonder. Racing in this state is incestuous. This must stop!
5) Arizona must lead the country by becoming the only state in the union that prohibits race day medication. I realize the caliber of horses we have in this state but if you want to have integrity, race day medication must stop. I have owned horses from top grade to bottom of the barrel. I know the challenges. Let Arizona be a leader.
I feel bad for the good guys at Yavapai Downs. They are suffering becuse corruption and mismangment has reared it's ugly head at yet another Amreican racetrack. Come on people, wake up and join the 2000's!
We have the best gambling game in the world. Let's clean it up and share it with the world!!!!!!
Last edited by cardinalsfan; 07-29-2011 at 02:57 AM.
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