Deceased customers

**canuck** · 02-17-11, 06:26 PM

Unfortunately, the industry has been slow to become fan friendly.

**gtkid911** · 02-17-11, 07:20 PM

Totally agree here as the racing industry's only fans are old people. They need to get more younger quickly or they will not last long at all. NEed some cheaper beer or more

**zebra58** · 02-17-11, 08:02 PM

started going to the track as a kid always seen the same people at the track most regs, you could watch the oldtimers grow old year after year, you knew something was wrong when they did'nt show up

**Gremlin Lad** · 02-17-11, 09:24 PM

Add to this...at my job location ( horse industry) the AVERAGE AGE of the bettor is ...ready for this.... 70 years old and that is if the son stays that brings his elderly Father to the location. I feel like I work at an Adult Day Care center instead of a betting parlor.

I am afraid if the industry does not become more fan friendly or educate the public more, they are doomed.

KENTUCKY DERBY FUTURE POOL 1 starts Feb 18, 2011.

All other 3 year olds is ML Favorite.

jw · 02-17-11, 11:48 PM

Got a track here in Tulsa less than a mile from my house .. race days in the middle of summer (100+ degree temperatures) .. not one place on the track where you can watch the horses and have some kind of air conditioning ... they wonder why crowds are low ... I've probably been three times in the past 5 years.

Will Rogers ... nice large glassed in air conditioned restaurant overlooking the track .. probably went around 20/25 times last year .. despite the 40 minute drive ... not difficult to see which track is getting it right ... Even made the 3-4 hour round trip to Remington in Oklahoma City 4 or 5 times last year ...

**TonyP** · 02-18-11, 07:27 AM

Originally posted by jw

Got a track here in Tulsa less than a mile from my house .. race days in the middle of summer (100+ degree temperatures) .. not one place on the track where you can watch the horses and have some kind of air conditioning ... they wonder why crowds are low ... I've probably been three times in the past 5 years.

Will Rogers ... nice large glassed in air conditioned restaurant overlooking the track .. probably went around 20/25 times last year .. despite the 40 minute drive ... not difficult to see which track is getting it right ... Even made the 3-4 hour round trip to Remington in Oklahoma City 4 or 5 times last year ...

never been to live racing at tulsa fair grounds however have been to the otb just next to the track.Never been to Will Rogers either, ahve been to Blue Ribbon Downs and Remington several times.live in Oklahoma also and no exactly what you mean about the high temps during the meet at Tulsa.

**unusialsusp5** · 02-18-11, 08:47 AM

unfortunately there will be on influx of younger players as they have turned to poker and casino play. too confusing for new horseplayers as the live product has taken a back seat to simulcasting and is too difficult for new players to comprehend. it used to work when everyone at the track was betting on the next race at that given track and weren't distracted by out of state signals offering other tracks to play. there's no more discussion about the next local race cause no one is betting on the same thing anymore.

**Seattle Slew** · 02-18-11, 10:21 AM

Also very tough to beat this game in the long run. Much better odds sports betting.

jw · 02-18-11, 12:07 PM

Originally posted by TonyP

Never been to Will Rogers either,

Well worth the drive if you ever get the chance .. nice track/facility with two large OTB rooms down just off the casino.

:0)

**Brewers in 7** · 02-18-11, 12:10 PM

i Was at Aqueduct for the Cigar Mile, and im 32 and i mightve been the youngest guy in there by 20 years..

**kiln** · 02-18-11, 01:13 PM

There was a time when horse racing was the #1 spectator sport in the country. Those days are long gone and the industry will never recapture the audience it once had. But it can do things to make itself more relevant. My local track is Golden Gate Fields. In the 1st race there are 5 horses scheduled to run, one of which will go off probably around 3/5. It's a 6 horse field in the 2nd and there'll be another heavy favorite in that one. In fact, there only one race with a field of eight horses, and that's before any scratches. It's no fun watching chalk horse after chalk horse (usually piloted by Russell Baze) pay $3.00 on a $2.00 bet. That doesn't compare for most younger people to the thrill of, say, playing poker online. For those looking for entertainment there are a hundred million other things to do, especially around here and for those who just want to gamble a $10 win ticket that's not even going to buy you a beer if it cashes doesn't have a chance against the from-the-comfort-of-your-home ease and convenience of Internet gaming.

There a couple of fraternities that go to Golden gate fields once a year, usually on dollar Sunday when admission, parking, beers, and dogs are a buck each. But none of those kids ever go back. We already lost one track here (Bay Meadows) and I'll be surprised if GGF lasts another 10 years, especially given it's prime location (it's sitting on tens of millions of dollars worth of Bay fromnt real estate in one of the most expensive RE markets in the country). Bugger, more competitive fields and lower takeouts would help this sport a lot. I didn't go to the race track for the first time until well into my twenties and I've loved it ever since (never been good at it, but I think it beats just about nay other form of wagering). New fans can be made. But the industry has to do more to attract and keep them.

**terrygolf1313** · 02-19-11, 08:49 AM

Been going to gulfstream for alot of years now and they do it right with free parking,free admisson,and dollar beers at all times and darn good racing

**cecil127** · 02-19-11, 04:42 PM

all i gotta say is thank god for the slots/table games offered in PA. besides the obvious perks you wouldnt believe the hot asians coming down trackside to take a much needed break from the casino. me love long time! the track that is.....

**Foosball Champ** · 02-20-11, 12:10 AM

I am undecided that the slot income that contribute purses is a curse or a blessing

**Art Vandeleigh** · 02-20-11, 05:31 AM

Say what you want about the numbers, the fact remains that a lot of horses still run in circles around racetracks everyday, week, month and year, especially on weekends, so someone must be wagering, just maybe not so much AT the grungy tracks.

**JakeLc** · 02-20-11, 09:33 AM

Racing is behind the curve period. In it's current state it's a dying game.

**mcaulay777** · 02-20-11, 10:41 AM

A lot of your posts are dead on as a player for 25 years from 1985-2000 i was at the track almost 3 times a week now it once every three weeks.WAY to much racing there is a track going almost evryday except xmas.To many short fields how does Golden Gate get people to bet.Synthetic surfaces,It costs too much money for info,Racing Form here in Iowa is 6 bucks 7 on weekends even the track program is 1.50 3 for 2.Try to explain that info.Even my wife told me you study that form and go to the track stay there for 8 - 10 hours you have been playing the races for ever and come home losing money does not seem worth it.Went To Hollywood Park in Jan , 7 bucks to get in 6 bucks for form 2 bucks for a cup of coffee down 15 before i went 2 bet and that was to watch it on tv to play simos from Santa Anita and half the tracks were inavailable.Calif has a stupid rule of limiteding simuls.But off track at Home you can play every track.Prairie Meadows is my home track clean comfortable all tracks you can wager on good crowds in the Summer.ALL drinks and coffee are free.

**dugbug15** · 02-20-11, 10:54 AM

several tracks offer comp cards that will give you comp points of varying degrees,from a 1/2 to 1 point for each $100.00 wagered.more perks for high rollers.you can then buy programs food & drinks.some tracks will let you get gas cards & store cards,like walmart,etc.
it's not much,but,it does take some sting out of daily expenses.