Dismal Experience

[Track Phantom]

I had to write about this. I rarely get to the track anymore (been at a race track about 10 times in the last 15 years).

So, I had to be in San Antonio today for work. It coincided nicely since I had two tickets to cash at Retama from last June.

I stopped at Retama this afternoon and the thought that kept running through my head is....no way this game survives.

I'm not trying to pick on Retama but I couldn't believe it when I walked in. Right at the front gate, there was a garbage can that was overflowing, garbage spilling out all over the ground. Since there is only simulcasting going on, it's unlikely this was filled in one day. It was beyond disgusting.

Once inside, there were roughly 30 people wagering in the simulcast area. 25 of the 30 were north of 75 years old. In addition, they had storm damage and the toteboard was basically flattened. To my knowledge that was 6-8 weeks ago. Still in the same condition.

I know it was a dead Monday for racing but just seeing this place looking so awful with just a few people there made me sad. I hope this isn't representative of most tracks.

[EMD4ME]

Originally Posted by Track Phantom

I had to write about this. I rarely get to the track anymore (been at a race track about 10 times in the last 15 years).

So, I had to be in San Antonio today for work. It coincided nicely since I had two tickets to cash at Retama from last June.

I stopped at Retama this afternoon and the thought that kept running through my head is....no way this game survives.

I'm not trying to pick on Retama but I couldn't believe it when I walked in. Right at the front gate, there was a garbage can that was overflowing, garbage spilling out all over the ground. Since there is only simulcasting going on, it's unlikely this was filled in one day. It was beyond disgusting.

Once inside, there were roughly 30 people wagering in the simulcast area. 25 of the 30 were north of 75 years old. In addition, they had storm damage and the toteboard was basically flattened. To my knowledge that was 6-8 weeks ago. Still in the same condition.

I know it was a dead Monday for racing but just seeing this place looking so awful with just a few people there made me sad. I hope this isn't representative of most tracks.

I get depressed when I visit AQU on a monday or tuesday to pick some programs up for my parents and look around. Scarce crowd. Older people. At least AQU has a local following (even with simulcasting) amongst the Guyanese, if it wasn't for the locals, you could hear your own echo.

Now, if I were in charge, I'd annoy the NYSGC to allow me to fill the place up on Mon and Tues with special promotions (bet $2, get free coffee, bet $50 get refund on your program, bet $100 lunch is on us, have seminars on the simulcast races, double rebates on track only for simulcast races etc etc etc.

Wake me when I wake up

[Tom]

The CEO should be fired.
Period.

The message HE is sending to customers that this track doesn't care.

A CEO who doesn't patrol the grounds DAILY is not much of a CEO.

[NY Racing Fan]

Originally Posted by EMD4ME

I get depressed when I visit AQU on a monday or tuesday to pick some programs up for my parents and look around. Scarce crowd. Older people. At least AQU has a local following (even with simulcasting) amongst the Guyanese, if it wasn't for the locals, you could hear your own echo.

Now, if I were in charge, I'd annoy the NYSGC to allow me to fill the place up on Mon and Tues with special promotions (bet $2, get free coffee, bet $50 get refund on your program, bet $100 lunch is on us, have seminars on the simulcast races, double rebates on track only for simulcast races etc etc etc.

Wake me when I wake up

I think you are certainly on the right track. NYRA refuses to do anything and I mean anything to show appreciation towards their loyal AQU customers. What a disgrace to treat these people so poorly. Have you ever been hungry there and tried to consider getting something to eat at a reasonable price? It is a complete embarrassment.

Kay would rather spend millions on technology at the expense of the NYRA Network and his core customers.

[EMD4ME]

Originally Posted by NY Racing Fan

I think you are certainly on the right track. NYRA refuses to do anything and I mean anything to show appreciation towards their loyal AQU customers. What a disgrace to treat these people so poorly. Have you ever been hungry there and tried to consider getting something to eat at a reasonable price? It is a complete embarrassment.

Kay would rather spend millions on technology at the expense of the NYRA Network and his core customers.

FOOD???

The $8 horseburger? The $3 coffee? The $8 FRENCH FRIES? The , you must buy 2, hot dogs?


NOW, I MUST SAY, I MUST MUST MUST SAY, that is NOT NYRA's fault. That is the racino's fault.

I wish I knew what the contract entailed? Is NYRA not allowed to have any stands with food? If the answer is yes, FIRE the idiot who signed that contract. If the answer is no, why not have a stand with food.

Quite frankly, we ALL order takeout and it gets delivered to Longshots. Isn't that pathetic?

Sophia's Pizza is the NYRA foodstand to most of us.

Technology? Yes, that technology is amazing! Couldn't make a bet on multiple races this weekend. If you don't have a 2nd foreign ADW, you can be burned!

Packed house (for these days) on Gotham day, they had the Bets Squad out (I guess NYRA actually has people that read this forum ) which is great BUT whatever you tought the new folks meant NOTHING when you're tote system crashed on track.

[cj]

Originally Posted by Track Phantom

I had to write about this. I rarely get to the track anymore (been at a race track about 10 times in the last 15 years).

So, I had to be in San Antonio today for work. It coincided nicely since I had two tickets to cash at Retama from last June.

I stopped at Retama this afternoon and the thought that kept running through my head is....no way this game survives.

I'm not trying to pick on Retama but I couldn't believe it when I walked in. Right at the front gate, there was a garbage can that was overflowing, garbage spilling out all over the ground. Since there is only simulcasting going on, it's unlikely this was filled in one day. It was beyond disgusting.

Once inside, there were roughly 30 people wagering in the simulcast area. 25 of the 30 were north of 75 years old. In addition, they had storm damage and the toteboard was basically flattened. To my knowledge that was 6-8 weeks ago. Still in the same condition.

I know it was a dead Monday for racing but just seeing this place looking so awful with just a few people there made me sad. I hope this isn't representative of most tracks.

Didn't they just have a storm that did all kinds of damage to the track? Like serious, major damage?

[JustRalph]

Originally Posted by cj

Didn't they just have a storm that did all kinds of damage to the track? Like serious, major damage?

http://www.ktsa.com/storms-leave-damage-retama-park/

[cj]

Originally Posted by JustRalph

http://www.ktsa.com/storms-leave-damage-retama-park/

I don't even think if it is known they will rebuild. I'm not sure when the quarters come back, but I think they months to figure it out. They aren't going to spend tons of money on something that is uncertain.

[Track Phantom]

Originally Posted by cj

I don't even think if it is known they will rebuild. I'm not sure when the quarters come back, but I think they months to figure it out. They aren't going to spend tons of money on something that is uncertain.

I didn't expect them to replace the toteboard. They can wait on that. It was just a depressing sight along with the other issues. The garbage can overflowing literally right where you walk in, with garbage on top, stuffed to the gils and garbage on the ground, is obscene. Do they not have a janitor or grounds person responsible for keeping the facility clean? If they can't handle that, what does it say about their desire to attract fans? Maybe I'm being too harsh but being in the facility, I couldn't think of a reason to ever come back.

[NY Racing Fan]

Originally Posted by EMD4ME

FOOD???

The $8 horseburger? The $3 coffee? The $8 FRENCH FRIES? The , you must buy 2, hot dogs?


NOW, I MUST SAY, I MUST MUST MUST SAY, that is NOT NYRA's fault. That is the racino's fault.

I wish I knew what the contract entailed? Is NYRA not allowed to have any stands with food? If the answer is yes, FIRE the idiot who signed that contract. If the answer is no, why not have a stand with food.

Quite frankly, we ALL order takeout and it gets delivered to Longshots. Isn't that pathetic?

Sophia's Pizza is the NYRA foodstand to most of us.

Technology? Yes, that technology is amazing! Couldn't make a bet on multiple races this weekend. If you don't have a 2nd foreign ADW, you can be burned!

Packed house (for these days) on Gotham day, they had the Bets Squad out (I guess NYRA actually has people that read this forum ) which is great BUT whatever you tought the new folks meant NOTHING when you're tote system crashed on track.

I don't know for sure but from what I've heard, the contract with Genting specifies that they have control of the food concessions. My problem is how does NYRA allow this without an out clause?? Was it so farfetched that the relationship between the casino and the competing horse track would sour? Isn't this a likely conflict of interest? How can NYRA sign such a deal to allow their customers to be potentially tortured by an outside entity that is beyond their control?? Seems simple to me. NYRA made money off of the food concession deal because the worst case scenario resulted in the NYRA customers to have to eat food that has a lower standard than a prison but yet still paying premium prices.

You and the other Longshots customers have obviously made the best of a bad situation by utilizing other food resources, which I am glad to hear but I don't think that the hungry $2 bettor who stands by the rail to enjoy the races has many food options.

[MonmouthParkJoe]

Originally Posted by Tom

A CEO who doesn't patrol the grounds DAILY is not much of a CEO.

This right here. Couldnt agree more.

[Inner Dirt]

Originally Posted by EMD4ME

FOOD???

The $8 horseburger? The $3 coffee? The $8 FRENCH FRIES? The , you must buy 2, hot dogs?

I have only visited a couple tracks outside of California and have been to any tracks in the last half dozen years. Are those high prices a New York thing? I always found horse racing venue concession prices to be reasonable compared to other major sports venues like MLB, NFL, and Nascar.

[MonmouthParkJoe]

Depends really. At the BC recently it was like $12 a beer for domestic. Dont remember much about the cost of food Not sure what it normally is on a regular day at Santa Anita.

Monmouth has a stand in the picnic area where beers are $3, Saratoga has a similar place in their backyard. Both places I bring my own. Meadowlands has $4 rolling rock drafts!

I think Aqueduct is a different story with the contract out of their hands in relation to pricing. Most places on non-big days isnt too expensive.

[RunDustyRun]

with all due respect, I think you're being a little hard on my home track...while it may not be the Taj Majal that is Lone Star Park (which is awesome by the way) I think you just showed up on the wrong day...Monday is free admission day and I believe the track runs a skeleton crew...it can be a little dismal early in the week but gets better as the weekend nears...two dollar admission, four dollar 16 oz beers and the combination of everyday degenerates and a number of retired military makes for a decent crowd...believe it or not on the big days it's standing room only...the track has been on the verge of closing for years and there is no internet wagering in Texas so I'm just happy its is still operating in all its glory...
as a caveat, my first home track was Fairmount Park...now that place was dismal

[PhantomOnTour]

The track is a lot like the bank or a fast food restaurant these days. They really don't want you in the building...banks and McD's would rather you drive thru (they give better service & devote more manpower to drive thru) and the track would rather you stay at home and play.
Unless it's the slots