Question about Northfield purse vs handle

[AmyHollar]

So you're saying the OHHA made a good deal on simulcasting? 

GARY!  The OHHA nor the tracks made a deal over the simulcasting!   

And further more, when you were here 15 years ago was ANYONE bitching about it?  And why not?

[AmyHollar]

Then please explain why the horsemen at Raceway Park went on strike while the horsemen at Northfield Park who ALSO did not have a contract at the time did not feel the need to.

[AmyHollar]

Simulcasting signals are bought and sold between the tracks..........Ohio State code mandates the tracks and horsemen split evenly the %.

I think Gisser could explain this better than me but lets take The Meadowlands................I think it used to be and currently might still be the highest % and DO NOT quote me on the number but lets say it is 6%...........2% to the Meadowlands with the horsemen and Northfield splitting 4% with a .0 something going to the track as an admin fee.

The reason Northfield WANTS such a large simulcasting base is because the horsemen have a much higher % on our live wagering...........but when the live handle dropped, PURSES dropped.

Northfield purses have NEVER been able to sustain themselves on the live handle, they've always subsisted off the state simulcasting pool.

They race 200+ days with with 14 races a day..................we're currently over $1million in the hole...............the track has carried it with the promise of VLT money...........with out it, we'd be doomed.............continuing to rely upon it...........we're destined to be doomed.

[LVGaryD]

GARY!  The OHHA nor the tracks made a deal over the simulcasting!   

And further more, when you were here 15 years ago was ANYONE bitching about it?  And why not?

I was long gone even 20 years ago. I left in 1991.

But wait a minute-who agreed to the extremely small share from simulcasting? If the tracks did not agree and the OHHa did not agree, who made the agreement with whom? And if the OHHA was not involved, why not?

[AmyHollar]

20 + years ago and many politicians after....it was legislated................and at that time it was right on par with the rest of the nation.

The problem is not the simulcasting %.......the problem is the industry as a whole and the lack of on-track wagering handle.

Ohio isn't alone on this issue...........what horsemen ANYWHERE are thriving on their simulcasting revenue?!

[AmyHollar]

Indiana.....slots...........Michigan, dead................Pa, slots..............Illinois?......I think it has already been pointed out they are not making it on simulcasting.....New York, slots.

[LVGaryD]

I will agree about slot revenue holding up the sport by a thread. I also think your ten year prediction is fairly optimistic.

Tracks simply have to get the customer to bet the product, and I don't see it happening. When the idiots on the Ohio Racing Commission worry more about drivers leaning back and "kicking" horses than they do about hidden ownership, beard trainers, and loading horses to the gills, you know the light at the end of the tunnel is quickly growing dimmer.

They simply must protect the public wagering dollar! Frankly I do not think they even care.

[AmyHollar]

I think we need federal intervention to get a fair shake from internet wagering...........unfortunately I think the feds have bigger fish to fry.

[LVGaryD]

Federal intervention is a great idea. Look how wonderfully they handle marijuana, healthcare, the post office, social security, medicare, the deficit, etc, etc.

 

Libertarians don't like the federal government getting involved in anything.

[Jeremy]

Tracks all need to lower the takeout and charge more for their signal.

[3 wide and wingin]

I didn't mean to rattle your cage Amy.


I still don't understand fully though why Northfield of all the tracks seems to be the one with the biggest disparity.

For instance RCR races go for between 4500-10000.
With the pools ( total)  for most races falling somewhere in the same region.

I guess I have a learning disability though!

Feel bad for the horseman running there.

SOMEONE is making a lot of money.
It isn't the horsemen.

[3 wide and wingin]

Tracks all need to lower the takeout and charge more for their signal.

10% take out every bet every track in America.

Would be a big bounce for all involved.

[Jeremy]

I didn't mean to rattle your cage Amy.


I still don't understand fully though why Northfield of all the tracks seems to be the one with the biggest disparity.

For instance RCR races go for between 4500-10000.
With the pools ( total)  for most races falling somewhere in the same region.

I guess I have a learning disability though!

Feel bad for the horseman running there.

SOMEONE is making a lot of money.
It isn't the horsemen.

They race a lot of days.

[3 wide and wingin]

They race a lot of days.

That's true.

54 days here at Rosecroft. If it was 254 purses would be 20% of what they are.

The horseman here don't want to race anymore days and wont negotiate a deal for more.

the horseman want more days there?

[LVGaryD]

I actually think I am the one who rattled Amy's cage. I love Amy, and I certainly know what buttons to push.

She knows I have absolutely zero respect for a certain person in Ohio and for some reason, she happens to like the guy. I'm thinking she just hasn't known the snake long enough.