Thoughts about Hawthorne Winter Meet?

[CyberChamp]

Now that the Hawthorne winter meet has concluded, what did you like/dislike about the meet?

Here are a few to get things started:

Likes

1. The 20-cent wagering options and the pick4/pick5 menu. I was more inclined to play because the wagering menu was more attractive and the risk was more in my control (20-centers vs. $0.50 to $1). Also, I think the 20-cent supers are more attractive than the dimes and they lead to better returns due to the cost increase.

2. Simon Allard in the bike. The man can drive and it adds a little more competition to the Leonard/Oosting show. Hope Allard returns in the spring, but I won't count on it.

3. The races seemed more competitive.

Dislikes

1. The races also were a bit erratic and unpredictable at times. (Losing to a 99-1 shot had me flipping out.) Perhaps this can be attributed to the competition or the layoff for some of the horses.

2. The track conditions, which were severely impacted by the weather at the start of the meet. I enjoy capping, but I hate guessing. Seemed like this was in better control later in the meet.

Your thoughts?

[Bdttitus]

I loved there winter meet

What I liked. .20wagers, almost all full fields which led to better payoffs..
I too liked Simon Allard here, but with his brother the leading trainer at PCD, doubt he will be back for Summer meet.

My dislikes do not like 2 pk5's and 2 pk4's. Maybe one each with a guaranteed pool. Maybe a few more Pk3s.
Meet too short, should extend thru month of February when you don't have the competition for horses like you do in Summer (HOP) . The Summer meet will undoubtly bring smaller fields because of the purses against HOP.

All in all , I give Hawthorne an A for there meet!

[RocknRoll]

They need better video!! It is so hard to see who is who. Not sure if they need better lighting or need to update their 1983 tv feed.

[careless hal]

It's about as good of a meet as anyone could expect in Illinois anymore.  When you see what has happened to the Big M (Has become just about unplayable for me, I used to play Tuesday through Sunday when they were a full time track. )    Video could be improved that is for sure.  Don't know if they expect any kind of racing to last long enough there to justify that investment.
The Spring-Summer meet should be OK.  Doubt the Allards will be back, but others may come.  I could see Ohio horsemen that have horses that don't like the bullrings they call race tracks there sending them West.
 I expect some short fields because there are not enough Il based horses around anymore to fill 5 cards a week. 

[The Skipper]

They need better video!! It is so hard to see who is who. Not sure if they need better lighting or need to update their 1983 tv feed.

That, plus no sound on the replays, I like to hear the horses called on the replays, some times you can't see due to the weather or bad video.

I do think the 20 cent supers really up the payouts, I'd still rather they'd be a dollar, but that extra dime made a big difference from what I saw. I just wish I had hit some to talk about 

[tonyb147]

Every track needs better video IMO.

Weekday and Sunday post time need to be earlier for someone like me who is usually up before the roosters. 

It pains me to say this but "Ride the Rail" Dale Hiteman had a good meet, especially when driving one for Joel Smith. Todd & Casey were the two that you had to put on all your pk4 and pk5 tickets. I expected more from Allard, thought he was just okay.

Made one trip out to the track, had a very good evening. Sad to see the meet end though.

[3 wide and wingin]

Pete Hanley the race secretary is one of the nicest guys in the world. I followed and bet it some and it was enjoyable for me.

[pezz97]

I enjoyed it. Went out there a couple of times and had a great time.
The Video is GOD awful. The payouts on the pick 4s and pick 5s was incredible.

I will be out there a lot when the summer meet starts. Hoping they will still have good size fields.