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10-09-2018, 11:37 AM
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#1
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Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 188
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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.
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10-09-2018, 03:00 PM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 341
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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.
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10-09-2018, 03:12 PM
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#3
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Just another Facist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Now in Houston
Posts: 52,877
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZippyChippy423
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.
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Have you driven around Baltimore? Especially the area around Pimlico?
Would you put money into it?
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10-09-2018, 06:08 PM
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 234
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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.
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10-09-2018, 06:39 PM
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Palm Beach, Florida
Posts: 2,465
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Pimlico's connection to the Preakness is the only reason the track hadn't been closed long ago.
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10-09-2018, 06:44 PM
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#6
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 16,943
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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
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10-09-2018, 08:44 PM
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 14,582
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Toss that green.....
Where's the guy with the Spanky gif???
Tossing the cash out the window......
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10-09-2018, 09:47 PM
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#8
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Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 188
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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 !
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10-10-2018, 07:51 AM
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#9
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Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 248
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aqueduct has had some upgrades since the casino opened,it actually is one of the best tracks to watch a race live outside.
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10-10-2018, 08:07 AM
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#10
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Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 188
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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..
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10-10-2018, 09:38 AM
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#11
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The Voice of Reason!
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Canandaigua, New york
Posts: 113,024
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustRalph
Have you driven around Baltimore? Especially the area around Pimlico?
Would you put money into it?
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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.
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10-10-2018, 09:41 AM
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#12
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The Voice of Reason!
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Canandaigua, New york
Posts: 113,024
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sour grapes
aqueduct has had some upgrades since the casino opened,it actually is one of the best tracks to watch a race live outside.
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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.
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10-10-2018, 09:41 AM
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Mukwonago, WI
Posts: 3,221
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Schwartz
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
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Wow...pretty good.
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10-10-2018, 09:43 AM
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#14
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The Voice of Reason!
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Canandaigua, New york
Posts: 113,024
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZippyChippy423
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..
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They really should consider 3 days a week - Fri-Sat-Sun.
The just cannot fill races anymore.
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10-10-2018, 10:55 AM
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,749
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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.
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