What's Going on with Colonial Downs?

[Tex9Down]

Is anyone here in the know?
Since the end of Jan. there's no thoroughbred betting at their OTBs. I think most have closed. They are only taking bets and showing harness racing.

The Colonial Downs website claims the The Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (VHBPA) won't agree to a contract.

The Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (VHBPA) website says Colonial Downs only wants a 4 week summer meeting this year, 12 days of racing!

We are used to 8 weeks and 40 days of racing at Colonial Downs!

I suppose it's all about the money, but what's the sense in 12 days of racing? Why not shut the whole operation down if we can't even bet on Thoroughbreds at off track betting sites.

[Grits]

The situation remains at a stalemate. This link has the most recent update.

http://www.colonialdowns.com/promos/viewpromo?fid=425

[Tom]

Whenever money is at stake, you can bet the fan is the last on considered by anyone.

[Tex9Down]

The latest from Colonial Downs today on FaceBook several hours ago...

https://www.facebook.com/ColonialDow...51961480821892

[Grits]

The problems at Colonial Downs are no closer to being resolved. Neither side will budge, having met a few days ago. Wonder if they'll figure this out before the Derby. If not, these folks will lose a lot with their simulcast centers closed to thoroughbred wagering. .... Just like Fairgrounds, situations such as this one, serve to kill racing.

http://www.tidewaterreview.com/news/...eet-privately-

[stu]

shorter link http://bit.ly/1ssHmPv

[luvalab]

Being the closest track to me, it is the one I attend the most. Last year due to the short meet Kathleen O'Connell did not stable any horses at CNL. After she won the Bert Allen Stakes with Dannhauser they asked her what it would take for her to come back to Colonial, she said plainly, "We need more races." I thought that was very telling for her to say that while basically standing in the winners circle.

As a handicapper that likes to play at Colonial, I hope they get it together and come up with an agreement. I read in an earlier article that Colonial had offered just 6 days of live racing - that just seems crazy for all parties involved. The more days of racing the better for me, it allows me to make use of my trip notes. We'll see how it turns out.

[Si2see]

I will not continue to comment or give suggestions on a never ending battle, but I will give my two cents yet again on a certain factor of the current situation.

This is very simple business, you do not need to be a president, CEO, CFO, or even need a college degree to understand this next statement.

If you have someone employed, and for whatever reason the person(s) is not able to get the job done, you replace them.

Colonial Downs has claimed they can not come up with a business model to make money with live racing extended. The way to fix that is very simple. Replace that person(s) with someone who can.

[thespaah]

Here's my suggestion. Since there is no contract anywhere with the Virginia Horsemen, Cnl should just open the OTB's and let the horsemen go judge shopping and whine to them.

[ctownraces@bp]

latest BS


http://www.colonialdowns.com/promos/viewpromo?fid=425

[Robert Goren]

It is really hard to take the horsemen's side here. Bettors are begging for larger fields. It appears the only way to get there is for fewer and /or shorter meets. As for replace the CEO with someone who could it work profitably like someone posted. That CEO probably doesn't exist and if he did Colonial Downs couldn't afford him. The horsemen just don't get it. or maybe they do and they just don't care.

[Delawaretrainer]

Originally Posted by Robert Goren

It is really hard to take the horsemen's side here. Bettors are begging for larger fields. It appears the only way to get there is for fewer and /or shorter meets. As for replace the CEO with someone who could it work profitably like someone posted. That CEO probably doesn't exist and if he did Colonial Downs couldn't afford him. The horsemen just don't get it. or maybe they do and they just don't care.

I'm not a virginia horseman but I would guess the horseman were looking for something that would make it worth it to move their string there. You lose money if the horses don't have the opportunity to run.

Like AC works because it is within driving distance of many tracks and Philly closes during that time.

[luvalab]

Below are some statistics on field size at Colonial Downs for all their Turf races over the last 3 years. This is just turf, none of the very few dirt races they run are included. Not sure how it compares to the national average, but I think it is close or slightly higher. To be honest, I've never had a problem with their field size so far.

2011 - Avg Field Size: 9.3 - Total Horses: 2177 - Total Races: 235
2012 - Avg Field Size: 8.5 - Total Horses: 2311 - Total Races: 272
2013 - Avg Field Size: 8.9 - Total Horses: 1670 - Total Races: 187

Total Races Run in all 3 years: 694
Total Fields in all 3 years with 7 or less horses: 199 (27%)
Total Fields in all 3 years with 8 or 9 Horses: 243 (35%)
Total Fields in all 3 years with 10 or more horses: 252 (36%)

[Grits]

I agree the horsemen are hard to suit, but I'm a bit like Si2see, the CEO, Ian whatshisname? I wouldn't knock a bear in the butt with this guy's management skills/style.

He writes a letter as lengthy as Tolstoy's, War And Peace. .. Good Lord.

Dude, get off the stage and hush, you're circular file material.

[luvalab]

Originally Posted by Grits

He writes a letter as lengthy as Tolstoy's, War And Peace. .. Good Lord.

I had to take a nap and eat a meal to get thru that letter.