We're in trouble.
 

Went to the OTB yesterday for a day of horseplaying. Outside of a few regulars, the place was empty - on a Saturday. The kids with their dad outside trying to collect some money for little league had nothing to do but stand there.

After watching the first couple of races, I realized I should have just stayed home or found something else to do. Nothing but 4 and 5 horse fields everywhere, including what is supposed to be the premier meet, Keeneland.

Boring, unless you like that sort of thing.

The first half of every card was the same just about everywhere. I'll wait till later in the day to go next week.

If I go at all.

When I went home, put on the Harness racing and found that things were just as bad. Tracks that used to card full fields were running races with 6 or 7.
Meadowlands, the highest handling track, had 10 races and only half of them had 8 horses or more!

We're in trouble as horseplayers.

Who knew!

As long as we got slots and CRW teams there is nothing to see here, move along.

Wait until they add sports wagering there.
Place will be packed every NFL Sunday.

Where do want me to move to? A casino.

Funny, but, I actually talked to someone there about that. Might be the only thing that will save the joint.

Yes.....the joint might be saved.
Horse wagering will take a back seat.

That's better than no seat at all.
Which is what you'll have if they close.
Some sports bettors might infuse new life into the place and might make some bets while watching their games - which take hours.
They can fill some time with horseracing, which only take minutes.
I'm viewing it as a good thing, not bad.

In rough percentages:

Track takes 20%

Casino slots take 8%

I realize there is no skill involved with slots and sometimes you win.

Racing is a mental challenge with all the info available and more challenging than slots.

I simplify these two takeout rates. I enjoy watching and sometimes betting the ponies. Especially at this time of the year.

I agree.
Been around it in books in Nevada for a long time.
If those had been race bets only, they'd have shut down years ago.

I go to a dive in Everett Wa above a closed night club that you have to walk through to get to the stairs, half the monitors are old big box type tv’s and the place smells like mold, but the place was packed, just about everyone knows everyone else and half stand and yell during the race, the other half insults the person that gave him bad advice ,no food except a vending machine no drinks except plain old coffee that you have to make yourself most of the time, have to walk behind a closed run down bar to get to the bathroom, man I love that place, don’t know how they get away with codes, fire ect. But have never had a bad time there

I still remember when you couldn't bet off track out of Saratoga County (before the Simulcast/Racino/computers). We had to cross the river in Mechanicsville. The joint was at the golf course and was the equivalent of a Caddy Shack or tree fort. Guys spit on the floor and you had to bet letters corresponding to the numbers. The call was audio cause they couldn't show the live feed......Ah......the good old days........People would walk over broken glass to place a bet.

You are right its been down hill since..........:lol:
Its not the quality of the places, its the quality of the product that's sunk.
The marginal propensity to bet corresponds with the game and its product.

You're talking about the quality of races to wager on though. That won't change with sports wagering.

I'm beginning to care less and less about "quality" if all it means is 4 and 5-horse fields.

There was more interest at the OTB by the regulars in what was happening at Gulfstream than Keeneland, because the fields were bigger.

I'd rather bet a nw3500 harness race with a full field than the open handicap with 5.

Same for thoroughbreds. I don't give a damn about the class.

I think the coverage, by turf writers in particular, has been promoting the sport the wrong way forever.

Maybe I'm wrong, but, I don't think so.

Another bad sign was the Charles Town Classic - a race everybody covering the sport had to cover, because of the inflated purse - goes with a field of 7. Is that all you can get for $1.2 million in casino dole?

Money leaves the state as usual - the second year in a row it ends up in Frank Stronach's pocket. (Thank goodness Edgar Prado was the winning jockey and for that I'm very happy.)

Your house is a more comfortable OTB. Who gives a ****?!

Live racing at the summer venue starts here in the Nati next week. Can't wait to be on track!