West Virginia asking for less racing dates

[lamboguy]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...tes?source=rss


not only this, but i think the Brockton Fair will somewhat effect horse population in West Virginia due to higher purses.

if i ran Mountaineer and probably a good thing that i don't. i would change the post times for June and July, move them up earlier and make the meet a turf only for those 2 months. then go back to the regular schedule and races in August.

they would get more horses, bigger fields and improve handle somewhat.

[VeryOldMan]

With the decline in WV casino handle due to increased competition, a contraction in race dates seems inevitable.

Does Charles Town really need to run year round? They cancelled 3 cards in January and 8 in February due to weather this year - why not shut down in February at least (if not January too)?

And does anyone know whether the big Charles Town Classic and West Virginia Derby purses come out of the general WV purse pools? The Classic purse was $1.5 million - and the card for that day was $2.1+ million. WV Derby is similar for Mountaineer - $1.65 million for the card, including $750,000 for the Derby.

At least as to Charles Town, I'd rather see some better allowance and/or handicap/stakes races sprinkled throughout the year than a $1.5 million blowout, with that payout almost always going to owners and trainers who don't otherwise race at the track! Makes no sense to me, particularly when the track is in an increasingly difficult spot.

[tanner12oz]

Originally Posted by lamboguy

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...tes?source=rss


not only this, but i think the Brockton Fair will somewhat effect horse population in West Virginia due to higher purses.

if i ran Mountaineer and probably a good thing that i don't. i would change the post times for June and July, move them up earlier and make the meet a turf only for those 2 months. then go back to the regular schedule and races in August.

they would get more horses, bigger fields and improve handle somewhat.

I agree that some daylight racing other then WV derby day would be nice..its a late night with a 7pm post

[ebcorde]

Bring in Casino. now that's not working. lower taxes, now that's not working.

[onefast99]

Originally Posted by ebcorde

Bring in Casino. now that's not working. lower taxes, now that's not working.

Competition from neighboring tracks with larger purses is what is directly affecting MTR.

[Track Collector]

Originally Posted by lamboguy

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...tes?source=rss


not only this, but i think the Brockton Fair will somewhat effect horse population in West Virginia due to higher purses.

So, are you going to come down to Charles Town and pick up some of those $4000 claimers to take back up to Brockton? A lot of $10,500 races purses at CT these days, and who knows if that will eventually be reduced.

[Fwizard]

Here is my problem this contraction never grows horse racing. Already mountaineer is closing , now we want close Charlestown and penn , so I guess us poor nine to fivers get not to play In the winter months.

[macguy]

I don't really follow WV horse racing, but would it not make sense for Charles Town and Mountaineer to get together and create a circuit?

Perhaps a 10 month circuit between the two tracks with Jan/Feb off?

[EMD4ME]

Originally Posted by Fwizard

Here is my problem this contraction never grows horse racing. Already mountaineer is closing , now we want close Charlestown and penn , so I guess us poor nine to fivers get not to play In the winter months.

YUP...Most seem to love contraction. I hate it. Soon there will be no game. This is just the next step closer to making it happen.