Creativity + Big Purses= Kentucky Downs

[GMB@BP]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

A 5-day meet, and everyone gushes over it as if it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. Kentucky Downs markets itself as if it's a national industry leader, when the reality is that the track is nothing more than a racing novelty. Have they done anything to fix those funky camera angles this year? I go on HorseTourneys, and the Kentucky Downs tournaments practically DOMINATE that site. Everybody loves a gimmick, I guess. To me, it's an altogether forgettable experience...and I am glad that it's over before I can even take notice of it.

I give them credit for the low takeout, other than that not sure what they are doing different, short meet with giant purses for a lot of inferior horses, of course its gonna draw well.

[Nitro]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

A 5-day meet, and everyone gushes over it as if it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. Kentucky Downs markets itself as if it's a national industry leader, when the reality is that the track is nothing more than a racing novelty. Have they done anything to fix those funky camera angles this year? I go on HorseTourneys, and the Kentucky Downs tournaments practically DOMINATE that site. Everybody loves a gimmick, I guess. To me, it's an altogether forgettable experience...and I am glad that it's over before I can even take notice of it.

What a sad and disingenuous commentary! Obviously your take on this meet has to go beyond just a “funky camera angle” or whatever gimmickry you might be referring to.
Why not just spit it out and admit your real reason for disliking the KD meet!

[linrom1]

Playing KD probably feels like it was playing in 1970s. Payoffs are humongous. Silly little P-4s payoffs are 4-5 times what they would be at NYRA.

They have real horses, real owners, real jockeys and real track management and not the bullshit that NYRA or Stronach present as horse racing while lining insiders and whales pockets.

[elhelmete]

Originally Posted by linrom1

Playing KD probably feels like it was playing in 1970s. Payoffs are humongous. Silly little P-4s payoffs are 4-5 times what they would be at NYRA.

They have real horses, real owners, real jockeys and real track management and not the bullshit that NYRA or Stronach present as horse racing while lining insiders and whales pockets.

For 5 days.

[GMB@BP]

Originally Posted by elhelmete

For 5 days.

they would not be able to do this for anything more than that.

So the moral of this thread is that if we can run 5 day meets everywhere maybe its the model for racing?

[thaskalos]

Originally Posted by GMB@BP

they would not be able to do this for anything more than that.

So the moral of this thread is that if we can run 5 day meets everywhere maybe its the model for racing?

Yes...this is clearly something that our game could use a lot more of.

[Nitro]

Originally Posted by GMB@BP

they would not be able to do this for anything more than that.

So the moral of this thread is that if we can run 5 day meets everywhere maybe its the model for racing?

No, obviously the moral of this thread is that many of us appreciated a meet where the intention was solid grass racing that offered big fields and big value.

Perhaps this kind of meet could be lengthened if they only raced a couple of days each week to preserve the racing surface.

The model should be Hong Kong where they race 2 days a week at 2 different tracks 10 months of the year with 95% of their 800 some odd races being on the turf. Their grass surfaces are always in top notch condition. Even with heavy rains the drainage is excellent. And they never take races off the turf.

[dilanesp]

Originally Posted by GMB@BP

they would not be able to do this for anything more than that.

So the moral of this thread is that if we can run 5 day meets everywhere maybe its the model for racing?

Well, Europe has lots of short boutique meets.

[linrom1]

Originally Posted by GMB@BP

they would not be able to do this for anything more than that.

So the moral of this thread is that if we can run 5 day meets everywhere maybe its the model for racing?

That's 5 more days than I watch GP summer/fall meet! And likely 2-3 more days than I'll watch BEL.

[Nitro]

Once again the negativity on the PA forum comes to light which as far as I’m concerned is so far off from the general consensus it’s ridiculous!
Perhaps a few words from an outside source will offer some enlightenment to the sceptics.
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...kentucky-downs

Kentucky Downs, which features low takeout compared with other tracks, smashed its handle record for the sixth straight year, with a total of $36,421,722 wagered on the five-date meet.

All-sources betting of $7,021,553 Sept. 13 was a record for the closing card.

The meet total tops by 20% last year's $30,246,888. The betting record Kentucky Downs set in 2013 was $12,814,891 and this year's handle is number nearly 2 1/2 times that figure.
Kentucky Downs registered its highest betting day ever this year when $10,039,008 was wagered on Saturday, Sept. 8. It also recorded its third-highest ever when $7,313,857 was bet Sept. 12 on the card postponed from Sunday after significant rain hit the region.

Kentucky Downs doesn't charge admission, but the eyeball test suggested crowds were the highest ever. For the first time, the Finish Line Pavilion—expanded and upgraded from when it was the Finish Line Tent—sold out all five days, including the two Thursday cards.

"The meet was fabulous on just about all fronts," said Ted Nicholson, senior vice president and general manager of Kentucky Downs. "Even the negative from having to cancel this past Sunday because of the downpour soaking the area turned into a great day of racing on Wednesday. Every year we go back to the drawing board and try to figure out how we can do better, how can we accommodate even more of our guests, especially from out of town. This year it was the Finish Line Pavilion. Who knows what it will be next year? Clearly there is high demand for open-air dining near the finish line. It's a great problem to have.

"We have twin missions that we take very seriously: to take care of our on-track guests who create our unique atmosphere and also those wagering on our races through simulcast and online outlets. Obviously the majority of our handle of $36 million was bet offsite. It's a testament to all those horseplayers who love outstanding turf racing, full fields and great betting value with our low takeout on wagers. We're excited to see what 2019 will bring."

A record $10,233,665.60 was paid out to horsemen in purses and Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund monies, up from the then-record $8,625,396 last year.
Kentucky Downs figures to retain its leadership for having America's largest fields at 11.04 horses per race this meet with 552 starters for 50 races, up from last year's nation-leading 10.44 per race. The previous record was the 10.96 horses per race in 2016…..

Kentucky Downs by the numbers (from the track)
All Sources Handle 2018
Day 1: $6,205,874
Day 2: $5,825,797
Day 3: $10,039,008*
Day 4: $7,329,490***
Day 5: $7,021,553

2018 TOTAL: $36,421,722 (all-time record)
* Highest in track history
*** Third-highest in track history
All Sources Handle 2017
Day 1: $4,633,176.29
Day 2: $5,402,254.66
Day 3: $8,487,323.27**
Day 4: $6,044,717.15
Day 5: $5,679,416.31

2017 TOTAL: $30,246,888
** second-highest in track history
All Sources Handle 2016
Day 1: $4,603,239.82
Day 2: $4,019,637.14
Day 3: $5,769,505.23
Day 4: $4,487,790.40
Day 5 $3,660,588.63
2016 TOTAL: $22,540,761.22

Betting on Kentucky Downs since 2012
Year (dates) all-sources total
2018 (5) $36,421,722
2017 (5) $30,246,888
2016 (5) $22,540,764
2015 (5) $16,887,134
2014 (5) $15,880,755
2013 (5) $12,814,891
2012 (5) $7,570,731

Average field sizes since 2011
2018: 11.04 horses per race (552 starters in 50 races, a record)
2017: 10.44
2016: 10.96
2015: 10.60
2014: 10.20
2013: 9.90
2012: 9.57
2011: 8.76

[GMB@BP]

I already said congratz, its a nice meet with a great product.

Its just not viable for longer than 5 days. Those tracks actually probably hurt the local horseman more than they help since so many top outfits are shipping in to scoop up the inflated purses.

How many stables do they support for a long period of time? Meaning training there, living there, etc?

See they count on the other tracks to pay for their ability to race.

So its a great 5 days of racing, a viable long term strategy, dont see it.

[elhelmete]

Originally Posted by GMB@BP

I already said congratz, its a nice meet with a great product.

Its just not viable for longer than 5 days. Those tracks actually probably hurt the local horseman more than they help since so many top outfits are shipping in to scoop up the inflated purses.

How many stables do they support for a long period of time? Meaning training there, living there, etc?

See they count on the other tracks to pay for their ability to race.

So its a great 5 days of racing, a viable long term strategy, dont see it.

+1

I like their product a lot.

I almost made a trip out there as my sole gift to myself for my 50th birthday.

I think there is a lot of room for these ultra-boutique race meets as part of the American racing landscape.

I absolutely love the can-do and push the envelope attitude of the track management.

There are lessons in ALL of that that can be instructive for the rest of racing's leadership. They should pay attention.

But it's not a straight cut-and-copy for a number of reasons.

I became a racing fan in large part because I attended in person several times in my youth. If I had to chase a bunch of 5 day meets in remote parts of the country, I don't think I'd be the fan/player/sometimes-owner I am today.

[jay68802]

Originally Posted by Nitro

No, obviously the moral of this thread is that many of us appreciated a meet where the intention was solid grass racing that offered big fields and big value.

I enjoyed the meet, good racing, and did not have to deal with Chad Brown winning almost every race. Stuck with playing a limited # of tickets and concentrated on Pick 3's and 4's. Was proud of myself for being alive to some very good payouts, but did not close the deal on any of them. Had 3 horses that made it slightly profitable. I much prefer this track to the marathon of short field races at Belmont and Gulfstream. The best thing was that I got a free new hat also. They have earned my wagering dollars, and will get them.
Handicappers should embrace this track, they are trying to earn your money, and that is more than you can say for any other track in the nation. And yes the funky camera angle got me also. I was thinking my horse wasn't going to get there and then they changed cameras and I realized he had more time.

[thespaah]

Originally Posted by GMB@BP

they would not be able to do this for anything more than that.

So the moral of this thread is that if we can run 5 day meets everywhere maybe its the model for racing?

This is the model used in Asia and Europe.
DUH

[GMB@BP]

Originally Posted by thespaah

This is the model used in Asia and Europe.
DUH

So I think horse racing checks in about 25th most popular sport in the US, its easily top 5 in those parts of the world.

The Queen of England has been to more Ky Derbys that last 50 years than the President of the US.

Its apples and oranges on both support and financial modeling.

If this is such a cash windfall as the article states why arent more tracks doing it? What, they dont like money too?