Last week of Saratoga....is anyone getting depressed ?

[the little guy]

Originally Posted by Tom

Another short field, 7 horses entered, 3 scratches.
Too many races and race days.
I know, I'm in the minoriy, but they still can't fill races.

One race out of 11.

We handled over $15 million today. Somehow, we overcame this tragedy.

The glass actually isn't 90% empty, Tom....it's 90% full.

[westernmassbob]

Originally Posted by Tom

Another short field, 7 horses entered, 3 scratches.
Too many races and race days.
I know, I'm in the minoriy, but they still can't fill races.

IDK. Less entries means less money bet and less of a take. Does anyone believe NYRA does this intentionally? Of course they don’t and kudos to NYRA for providing great field sizes this meet. They have far exceeded my expectations. Of course the great weather has played a key role in keeping scratches to a minimum. I wonder if this is a record year in regards to less off the turf races and scratches ? It seems to be a record year for everything else.

[ScottJ]

Originally Posted by the little guy

One race out of 11.

We handled over $15 million today. Somehow, we overcame this tragedy.

The glass actually isn't 90% empty, Tom....it's 90% full.

Two true stories from this Saratoga meet to amuse the crowd.

First, on August 26th, we had the three-horse West Point Stakes where I had both Bank It and Jerry the Nipper. Somelikeithotbrown ran over my late Pick-5 ticket ($641.75).

As with every horse player, small fields are "easy" targets, right?

Well, Invaluable (followed by Melting Snow) both ran over my late Pick-4 ($279.00) as I had both Short Summer Dress (perhaps one of the worst runs this meet) and Rossa Veloce.

Would I want a diet of these small fields? Absolutely not. Even in these situations the racing has been competitive and still provides enough headscratching to keep me humble.

As we head into Day 37 today, the running handle tally now stands at ~$776M.

[the little guy]

Originally Posted by ScottJ

As we head into Day 37 today, the running handle tally now stands at ~$776M.

$778

[Robert Fischer]

no been tripping all the maidens for the future

[JustRalph]

Originally Posted by the little guy

$778

Does that equate to about 200 million for the track/NYRA?

Just wondering if my math is right?

[GMB@BP]

Originally Posted by the little guy

99% of them are.

I know you stopped following racing Greg, but most horseplayers realize there is racing far beyond the handful of horses pointing to the BC.

yea the day to day horses dont really catch my attention, should have clarified.

[the little guy]

Originally Posted by JustRalph

Does that equate to about 200 million for the track/NYRA?

Just wondering if my math is right?

On track? I think it's around 18% of total handle.

[pandy]

Originally Posted by the little guy

One race out of 11.

We handled over $15 million today. Somehow, we overcame this tragedy.

The glass actually isn't 90% empty, Tom....it's 90% full.

I thought the meeting was fantastic, the best racing and the best meet of the year by far. And, by the way, great job on the NYRA live show.

[westernmassbob]

Originally Posted by pandy

I thought the meeting was fantastic, the best racing and the best meet of the year by far. And, by the way, great job on the NYRA live show.

I agree. Unfortunately there were a few blips along the way. There was the race that was declared a “ no contest “ back in July. Also the late surface switch on a race and changing it to an “all” leg for pick five 30 minutes after race was run.

Then some even uglier distractions. Two grooms arrested for cocaine possession on track and of course the Chad Brown scandal. Of course that court hearing was moved until after the meet...no surprise there.

All and all a great meeting though.

[lamboguy]

Originally Posted by JustRalph

Does that equate to about 200 million for the track/NYRA?

Just wondering if my math is right?

after the admissions, concessions, and handle, Saratoga Race Course will probably net out somewhere in the vicinity of $15 million after payroll, purses and other expenses. since NYRA operates the 3 thoroughbred tracks, some of the expenses are proportioned amongst the 3. meaning that it's very hard to figure the exact number for 1 track.

the thing about the track is that it brings tremendous economical benefit to the region and the rest of the state. in the case of Saratoga Race Course, it also is a good leader for other tracks throughout the country as well as their local base.

[lamboguy]

i don't have numbers for this, but the straight pools without the CAW in them after 2 minutes to post look bigger than they have ever been to me. they have had some gigantic pools this year.

[the little guy]

Originally Posted by pandy

I thought the meeting was fantastic, the best racing and the best meet of the year by far. And, by the way, great job on the NYRA live show.

Thanks Pandy

[JustRalph]

Originally Posted by the little guy

On track? I think it's around 18% of total handle.

[JustRalph]

Originally Posted by lamboguy

the thing about the track is that it brings tremendous economical benefit to the region and the rest of the state. in the case of Saratoga Race Course, it also is a good leader for other tracks throughout the country as well as their local base.

This I believe is more important than most people realize. Upstate New York is neglected in my opine by the State. My wife’s family still lives about an hour north of Saratoga and I have met some very fine hard working people in upstate New York. They carry on a tradition and lifestyle that goes all the way back to the founding of our country and even before.