Horse Racing Forum - PaceAdvantage.Com - Horse Racing Message Board

Go Back   Horse Racing Forum - PaceAdvantage.Com - Horse Racing Message Board > Thoroughbred Horse Racing Discussion > General Racing Discussion


Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread
Old 10-09-2018, 11:37 AM   #1
ZippyChippy423
Veteran
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 188
Racetracks without remodels why?

There are dozens of t-bred and harness tracks across the country that have gone without an update for several decades why? One track in particular is Pimlico. The history behind this place and look at what it has become. Another example is Monticello harness. Talk about being depressing.
ZippyChippy423 is offline   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 10-09-2018, 03:00 PM   #2
Hambletonian
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 341
OK, I will bite because I am bored.

The reason is that there is no money to invest to complete the remodel, and then the return on that investment would be nearly zero. Monticello has completely given up on attracting folks to their live product, they could build a new grandstand that seated only 100 people and the folks that show up would have plenty of elbow room.

The only way Pimlico will be renovated would be if it were turned into a full scale casino. Otherwise, every dollar invested in a renovation would be wasted.

Since the US is approaching France in the percentage of $$$ bet offtrack, the best plan would be to not worry about the live crowd for the vast majority of tracks, simply turn them into simulcasting signal providers, build them in the middle of nowhere where land is cheap, and provide modern-but very small-facilities for the live crowd.

A great example of a right-sized facility is Ajax Downs in Ontario. Decent sized slots area, nice restaurant, and small but modern grandstand.
Hambletonian is offline   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 10-09-2018, 03:12 PM   #3
JustRalph
Just another Facist
 
JustRalph's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Now in Houston
Posts: 52,611
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZippyChippy423 View Post
There are dozens of t-bred and harness tracks across the country that have gone without an update for several decades why? One track in particular is Pimlico. The history behind this place and look at what it has become. Another example is Monticello harness. Talk about being depressing.
Have you driven around Baltimore? Especially the area around Pimlico?

Would you put money into it?
__________________
WE ARE THE DUMBEST COUNTRY ON THE PLANET!
JustRalph is offline   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 10-09-2018, 06:08 PM   #4
AlsoEligible
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 234
The estimated price tag to bring Pimlico up to snuff is $300-$500 million.

Why in the world would Stronach pay that when he has another track 20 miles down the road, where they've already spent $30-$50m (and counting) on renovations? It makes absolutely no business sense.

The only way Pimlico is getting updated is if the state or city pays for it. Locals pretend that the track needs to be saved (even though no one gives two shits about it aside from one weekend in May), but let's see if they're as passionate when asked to foot the bill themselves.

It was a great track in its prime, but now it's a crumbling building (literally, water was leaking through the roof during rain this past Preakness) in an even worse neighborhood. It's past time for it to be put out of its misery, and move the Preakness to Laurel.
AlsoEligible is offline   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 10-09-2018, 06:39 PM   #5
bobphilo
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Palm Beach, Florida
Posts: 2,465
Pimlico's connection to the Preakness is the only reason the track hadn't been closed long ago.
bobphilo is offline   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 10-09-2018, 06:44 PM   #6
Dave Schwartz
 
Dave Schwartz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 16,873
I wrote this fictional article in 1991 and have been surprised at how much of it came true.

Unfortunately, the best stuff - like ESPN's Monday Night at the Races never happened. (Not that I really expected them to.)

2001 A Race Oddessy
Dave Schwartz is online now   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 10-09-2018, 08:44 PM   #7
horses4courses
Registered User
 
horses4courses's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 14,526
Toss that green.....

Where's the guy with the Spanky gif???
Tossing the cash out the window......
__________________
You're going to lose.
You know that, right?
horses4courses is offline   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 10-09-2018, 09:47 PM   #8
ZippyChippy423
Veteran
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 188
It makes zero sense for a track to not want a remodel unless it foresees it to go out of business. As far as I know the track makes a much larger profit if money is wagered on location. The other thing is you always hear track management or owners complaining that nobody comes out to the track anymore and bet online etc blah blah blah. Ya know 20-30 years ago couples, friends and groups came out to the track because it was a nice venue at the time. Who the hell wants to go out of there way to visit depressing cemeteries like Monticello and Pimlico? Imagine bringing a date there? I think a track like Aqueduct should be shut down and NYRA switches between Belmont and Saratoga. Summer/ fall racing at TOGA would be sweet. When Gulfstream rebuilt they saw the future( smart people) and made a much smaller grandstand area. It’s my favorite track except for the turf course which is being redone for the winter meet !
ZippyChippy423 is offline   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 10-10-2018, 07:51 AM   #9
sour grapes
Veteran
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 248
aqueduct has had some upgrades since the casino opened,it actually is one of the best tracks to watch a race live outside.
sour grapes is offline   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 10-10-2018, 08:07 AM   #10
ZippyChippy423
Veteran
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 188
Is the walking ring paddock still a pit below ground? If so Aqueduct needs to shut the track down. Nobody looks forward to the 4/5 horse fields in the winter..
ZippyChippy423 is offline   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 10-10-2018, 09:38 AM   #11
Tom
The Voice of Reason!
 
Tom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Canandaigua, New york
Posts: 112,455
Quote:
Originally Posted by JustRalph View Post
Have you driven around Baltimore? Especially the area around Pimlico?

Would you put money into it?

You know, Pimlico is my favorite track of all time.
And I like it just the way it is.

The ambiance is reminiscent of my misspent youth visiting track up and down the east coast, leaving Pimlico and racing to get to Penn for the first race. Sitting in a bar the night before the PReakness listening to the buzz about Spectacular Bid the next day.

Holding a pic 4 ticket with 4 shots at a min payout of $3800 at a Satin seminar at Pim ( I finished 2-3-4-and 5. )

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

It's not the track for me, it's the game.
__________________
Who does the Racing Form Detective like in this one?
Tom is online now   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 10-10-2018, 09:41 AM   #12
Tom
The Voice of Reason!
 
Tom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Canandaigua, New york
Posts: 112,455
Quote:
Originally Posted by sour grapes View Post
aqueduct has had some upgrades since the casino opened,it actually is one of the best tracks to watch a race live outside.
I have never been there, but I've seen some photos here from posters who had meeting there. Looks like a great view from the upper grandstand. FL has a similar view, albeit a smaller scale.

__________________
Who does the Racing Form Detective like in this one?
Tom is online now   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 10-10-2018, 09:41 AM   #13
wisconsin
Registered User
 
wisconsin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Mukwonago, WI
Posts: 3,196
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Schwartz View Post
I wrote this fictional article in 1991 and have been surprised at how much of it came true.

Unfortunately, the best stuff - like ESPN's Monday Night at the Races never happened. (Not that I really expected them to.)

2001 A Race Oddessy

Wow...pretty good.
__________________
"I don't always frequent message boards, but when I do, I prefer PaceAdvantage."
wisconsin is online now   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 10-10-2018, 09:43 AM   #14
Tom
The Voice of Reason!
 
Tom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Canandaigua, New york
Posts: 112,455
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZippyChippy423 View Post
Is the walking ring paddock still a pit below ground? If so Aqueduct needs to shut the track down. Nobody looks forward to the 4/5 horse fields in the winter..
They really should consider 3 days a week - Fri-Sat-Sun.
The just cannot fill races anymore.
__________________
Who does the Racing Form Detective like in this one?
Tom is online now   Reply With Quote Reply
Old 10-10-2018, 10:55 AM   #15
ronsmac
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,748
Roughly 20 years ago, before I was betting by phone or internet. I would drive 50 minutes to York otb rather than driving 15 minutes to Pimlico, and York otb was no Taj Mahal.
ronsmac is offline   Reply With Quote Reply
Reply




Thread Tools
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

» Advertisement
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:09 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 1999 - 2023 -- PaceAdvantage.Com -- All Rights Reserved
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program
designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.