Reopening without slots?

[1GCFAN]

I can see the tracks able to race without fans but what/who is going to fund the races? There is no handle to speak of at most harness tracks save Meadowlands.



Are the horsemen prepared to run for $500 purses? It may be long time before slots open back up.

[HHE10]

Sam here in Canada. The only track that could support itself without the slots would be both Woodbine Mohawk Park and Woodbine TB. Not sure about the smaller tracks like Grand River being a 10 minute drive from my house. Those tracks I would see race for very small.

A usual 7k claimer goes (normally) for 4000-5000, but like what you said they could race maybe for 1000-2500

[bigeastbeast]

Since the Big M and Freehold aren't supported by slots,wouldn't they be able to open before everyone else once they get the go ahead from the state?One would think that they would be able to race 7 days a week until other states open their casinos.

[1GCFAN]

Good point bigeastbeast. I don't know the percentage of on-track and NJ OTB handle the Big M has but if any track can offer decent purses it seems it would be them.

[pandy]

Originally Posted by bigeastbeast

Since the Big M and Freehold aren't supported by slots,wouldn't they be able to open before everyone else once they get the go ahead from the state?One would think that they would be able to race 7 days a week until other states open their casinos.

Freehold and the Meadowlands do get a subsidy from Atlantic City. The Meadowlands also does a big sports book business and Freehold is getting a sports book going soon, assuming they reopen. Freehold in particular needs casino revenue. The Meadowlands could survive without casino subsidies if it can open it's sports book but not for that long. Even though the Meadowlands has the best handle, the cost of doing business in New Jersey isn't cheap.

[1GCFAN]

The Ohio Race Commission appears to be forcing the hand of the operators who earlier this week seemed to the of the opinion of no slots no racing.

Scioto cancelled the Grand Circuit events to save the money for overnight purses. Since they last raced September 2019 they should have enough slot funds for a limited meeting.

Northfield races year around so their funding is more of an issue. Northfield does export their signal far and wide which helps. Scioto exports only to other Ohio tracks as far and I know.

[baconswitchfarm]

Originally Posted by 1GCFAN

The Ohio Race Commission appears to be forcing the hand of the operators who earlier this week seemed to the of the opinion of no slots no racing.

Scioto cancelled the Grand Circuit events to save the money for overnight purses. Since they last raced September 2019 they should have enough slot funds for a limited meeting.

Northfield races year around so their funding is more of an issue. Northfield does export their signal far and wide which helps. Scioto exports only to other Ohio tracks as far and I know.

Northfield has more money than any other track. Don't worry about their purses.