a new low at Mountaineer?

[Elliott Sidewater]

Last night's card, in clear weather and on a fast track had a total of 4 races with 3 or 4 horses. The other 5 races had 6 horses each. The attendance was listed at 925, I'm guessing that probably includes people in the casino, and collectively they bet the princely sum of $5,022 on track. That's less than $6 per, folks! And somehow they managed to generate $832,000 in total handle, but that includes about $200,000 from a bridge jumper show bet in the first race (it won). So that cost the track money because of the minimum $2.20 payoff mandate in WV.

Other than perhaps to provide jobs, why is this track still operating?

[thaskalos]

Originally Posted by Elliott Sidewater

Last night's card, in clear weather and on a fast track had a total of 4 races with 3 or 4 horses. The other 5 races had 6 horses each. The attendance was listed at 925, I'm guessing that probably includes people in the casino, and collectively they bet the princely sum of $5,022 on track. That's less than $6 per, folks! And somehow they managed to generate $832,000 in total handle, but that includes about $200,000 from a bridge jumper show bet in the first race (it won). So that cost the track money because of the minimum $2.20 payoff mandate in WV.

Other than perhaps to provide jobs, why is this track still operating?

This track is still open so the casino could remain in action. Just as the cigar store of old was just a front for the illegal gambling parlor operating in the back room.

[PaceAdvantage]

Originally Posted by Elliott Sidewater

And somehow they managed to generate $832,000 in total handle, but that includes about $200,000 from a bridge jumper show bet in the first race (it won). So that cost the track money because of the minimum $2.20 payoff mandate in WV.

The bridge jump will only cost them money if the bet was placed at Mountaineer.

Fairly certain the establishment where the bet is placed is on the hook for the minus pool portion....that's why you see show betting cancelled for certain races off track when it is being accepted on track (at least I've seen this...Suffolk Downs simulcasting was notorious for not accepting show betting on certain races where it was being accepted on track for this very reason).

[MonmouthParkJoe]

Originally Posted by PaceAdvantage

The bridge jump will only cost them money if the bet was placed at Mountaineer.

Fairly certain the establishment where the bet is placed is on the hook for the minus pool portion....that's why you see show betting cancelled for certain races off track when it is being accepted on track (at least I've seen this...Suffolk Downs simulcasting was notorious for not accepting show betting on certain races where it was being accepted on track for this very reason).

Spot on. Most simo contracts have clauses that hold the guest responsible for minus pools.

[Peter Berry]

Originally Posted by Elliott Sidewater

Last night's card, in clear weather and on a fast track had a total of 4 races with 3 or 4 horses. The other 5 races had 6 horses each. The attendance was listed at 925, I'm guessing that probably includes people in the casino, and collectively they bet the princely sum of $5,022 on track. That's less than $6 per, folks! And somehow they managed to generate $832,000 in total handle, but that includes about $200,000 from a bridge jumper show bet in the first race (it won). So that cost the track money because of the minimum $2.20 payoff mandate in WV.

Other than perhaps to provide jobs, why is this track still operating?

Our field sizes will pick up now that our Ohio neighbor Mahoning Valley has closed and also the return of turf racing on May 1 should be a huge boost. That said, the small fields so far this meet have been disheartening and, yes, embarrassing. We are doing our best with the horse population available.

[mountainman]

Originally Posted by Peter Berry

Our field sizes will pick up now that our Ohio neighbor Mahoning Valley has closed and also the return of turf racing on May 1 should be a huge boost. That said, the small fields so far this meet have been disheartening and, yes, embarrassing. We are doing our best with the horse population available.

I could not have put this any better. What he said.

[arw629]

I had the all you can eat buffet featuring crab legs this past Friday night and it was excellent. It's every Friday night from 5-9

[Peter Berry]

Originally Posted by arw629

I had the all you can eat buffet featuring crab legs this past Friday night and it was excellent. It's every Friday night from 5-9

The food - quality and selection - at Mountaineer casino is second to none.

[Inner Dirt]

Originally Posted by arw629

I had the all you can eat buffet featuring crab legs this past Friday night and it was excellent. It's every Friday night from 5-9

With lemon and butter?

[Track Phantom]

Originally Posted by Peter Berry

Our field sizes will pick up now that our Ohio neighbor Mahoning Valley has closed and also the return of turf racing on May 1 should be a huge boost. That said, the small fields so far this meet have been disheartening and, yes, embarrassing. We are doing our best with the horse population available.

I know it's tough for everyone. Not just Mountaineer but everywhere except a few places.

[whodoyoulike]

Originally Posted by Peter Berry

... We are doing our best with the horse population available.

This is interesting.

How many horses are currently stabled there compared to historical numbers?

[HuggingTheRail]

Originally Posted by whodoyoulike

This is interesting.

How many horses are currently stabled there compared to historical numbers?

Hope you don't mind if I piggyback on that question...


If Mahoning races ~ the same dates next year, Mnr will have the same challenge? What does Mnr think they need to do to not have the same thing happen next year?

[Peter Berry]

Originally Posted by whodoyoulike

This is interesting.

How many horses are currently stabled there compared to historical numbers?

I heard someone last week say we had 400 empty stalls. Mountainman would have accurate, up-to-date numbers.

[AltonKelsey]

Pools look generous to the naked eye, but I have no idea what it cost to feed and vet those 5000 wonders.

The racing there is fun to watch, more than can be said for the product at much bigger tracks during long stretches.

[Inner Dirt]

Small fields never bothered me as I don't play exactas, trifectas, or supers. What I never liked about Mountaineer is the lack of rolling pick 3's. I wonder way they don't have them? That and it is a weird track for me, I can either do no right or do no wrong, never any middle ground. Some nights I could pick just one horse in each race and go 6 for 9, then go on an 0-18 streak, rinse, repeat. Oddly enough the type of races make no difference.