Canterbury to cut takeout across the board

[Capper Al]

Thanks CJ. Good for Canterbury fans.

[JohnGalt1]

Canterbury opened in 1985 and was part owned by Santa Anita. It cost about $85 million. I don't know what that would be in today's dollars. The facility is annually improved inside and out.

Because CBY is not in a circuit ( Calif. FL, NY Chi), and for those not familiar with betting on CBY races-- most horses, trainers and jockeys ship from Tampa Bay, Oaklawn, Chicago, Prairie Meadows, Texas, Fonner, Turf Paradise, and California. Kentucky and New York connections will ship in for Stakes.

So if you are a strictly northeast better, you will find unfamiliar connections, but it's still horse racing.

Personally I like playing unfamiliar tracks periodically. I only play the entire Pimlico card Preakness day. That's why I buy a par book.

One thing I most like betting Breeder's Cup races is that horses come from all over. I like the same challenge betting early at CBY, because horses do come from all over.

I hope trainers fill the early cards with race ready horses. Greeting the new betters they are trying to attract with nine 6 horse fields won't leave a good first impression.

And depending on the Spring weather, some years the first turf race is run Memorial Day weekend. Though last year they ran on the urf opening weekend.

If anybody can add or correct anything I wrote, feel free to do so.

[chadk66]

Originally Posted by JohnGalt1

Canterbury opened in 1985 and was part owned by Santa Anita. It cost about $85 million. I don't know what that would be in today's dollars. The facility is annually improved inside and out.

Because CBY is not in a circuit ( Calif. FL, NY Chi), and for those not familiar with betting on CBY races-- most horses, trainers and jockeys ship from Tampa Bay, Oaklawn, Chicago, Prairie Meadows, Texas, Fonner, Turf Paradise, and California. Kentucky and New York connections will ship in for Stakes.

So if you are a strictly northeast better, you will find unfamiliar connections, but it's still horse racing.

Personally I like playing unfamiliar tracks periodically. I only play the entire Pimlico card Preakness day. That's why I buy a par book.

One thing I most like betting Breeder's Cup races is that horses come from all over. I like the same challenge betting early at CBY, because horses do come from all over.

I hope trainers fill the early cards with race ready horses. Greeting the new betters they are trying to attract with nine 6 horse fields won't leave a good first impression.

And depending on the Spring weather, some years the first turf race is run Memorial Day weekend. Though last year they ran on the urf opening weekend.

If anybody can add or correct anything I wrote, feel free to do so.

that's a pretty good statement. When cby first opened they ran from the last weekend of April to the first weekend of Oct. I believe. 130 days roughly. It's about 85 days now I think. Some of the best trainers in the country came there the first two years thanks to the SA connection. Avg attendance the first two years was 10-13K a day. Right around a million $ a day bet. Plummeted by year three.

[Clocker]

Originally Posted by chadk66

Avg attendance the first two years was 10-13K a day. Right around a million $ a day bet. Plummeted by year three.

They have some problems for the non-casual player. General admission is $7 unless you qualify for a discount. Racing on Friday night and then Saturday afternoon is a tough turn-around. And Minnesota residents can't bet Cby through an ADW.

[foodog8]

You can get pass for the entire season for $50, or $20 worth of MVP points.

http://canterburypark.com/LiveRacing...5/Default.aspx

[chadk66]

Originally Posted by Clocker

They have some problems for the non-casual player. General admission is $7 unless you qualify for a discount. Racing on Friday night and then Saturday afternoon is a tough turn-around. And Minnesota residents can't bet Cby through an ADW.

there's def. some things that would be great to change. but that's true everywhere I think. They were a millimeter away from having off track betting back in the 80's too.

[chadk66]

back in the early days horsemen could get a certain number of free passes to give out. I think it was two or four per day. few took advantage of it. not sure if that still goes on.

[ronsmac]

Originally Posted by Clocker

They have some problems for the non-casual player. General admission is $7 unless you qualify for a discount. Racing on Friday night and then Saturday afternoon is a tough turn-around. And Minnesota residents can't bet Cby through an ADW.

A number of adw's didn't offer Canterbury last year because Churchill negotiated their signal fee and distribution. N.Y.state otbs didn't have Canterbury last year either but I believe they worked out their differences with Churchill.

[billyball]

Only place in Minnesota you can bet Canterbury is at the track----need to get wagering outlets throughout the state--Indian casino's would be a good place to start

[rgustafson]

Originally Posted by billyball

Only place in Minnesota you can bet Canterbury is at the track----need to get wagering outlets throughout the state--Indian casino's would be a good place to start

If "the track" includes Running Aces harness track then you are correct.

[JohnGalt1]

A couple of things to add.

If you are unfamiliar with CBY check out their website and scan last year's jockey and trainer records and see if you recognize anybody.

Also, in claiming races, a Minnesota bred will run 2 class levels higher than out of state bred horses. TuP and Prm also have higher claiming prices for their state bred horses.

[chadk66]

Originally Posted by billyball

Only place in Minnesota you can bet Canterbury is at the track----need to get wagering outlets throughout the state--Indian casino's would be a good place to start

would be nice but state law doesn't allow for it. that needs to change.

[MNslappy]

As a MN resident, I sure wish CBY and the Sampsons would push even half as hard for residents to be able to bet through ADWs as they did for slots for so many years. I don't really see them making any sort of real, sustained effort to get the law changed. I make the trip to the track 6-8 times a summer, but if I could bet through my ADW I would play it 3-4 days a week.

[ribjig]

Been said already, if track, say, with
casino $$ undersupport, would give %
takeout a chance, response would be
overwhelming to point that handle
would be world's largest & therefore
races would soon become a parade
of ALL-GRADED-ALL-THE-TIME!!!

[ronsmac]

Originally Posted by ribjig

Been said already, if track, say, with
casino $$ undersupport, would give %
takeout a chance, response would be
overwhelming to point that handle
would be world's largest & therefore
races would soon become a parade
of ALL-GRADED-ALL-THE-TIME!!!

Unfortunately a track like Canterbury even with 10% takeout wouldn't become the largest in the country. Big bettors are already getting less than 10% effective takeout on most of their wagers so they aren't going to jump on Canterbury. Small bettors who are ignorant to takeout won't bet Canterbury regardless of takeout. Now if Ny or Gulfstream went to 10% or less for all bettors then that would be a different story.