February 2010

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Day 15: 8/8/08

1:55 pm: Fifteen minutes ago it was sunny and clear. At the moment, an ark would come in handy and hail is pelting the ancient roof. The 2nd and 5th were already off the turf and now the 8th and 10th are in jeopardy. The only race hit hard by scratches so far is the off-the-turf 5th, first leg of that pick-6 with $39k carryover, which went from 14 entries to six runners.

The biggest question on today's card besides the weather is whether you go with what looks like a very chalky flow at the end of the card or try to beat any/all of three formidable favorites: Smokin Hero in the 7th, Tejida in the 8th and Winning Point in the 9th. If two or three of them win, the pick-6 and late pick-4 are unlikely to be life-changing.

In the early double, Bruce Levine proved mortal, running second with dropdown/layoff Mukataway to Amblin Rose ($8.70). In the off-the-grass 2nd, Pletcher-trained Mega, off the board on turf and poly in two previous starts, galloped by 12 1/2 lengths with a drop to maiden-claiming and a switch to dirt at 7-5. Oh, and if you bet a hunchy 8-8 double on 8/8/08, you've got a refund coming: the 8 in the first, Sweetest Kiss, was a gate scratch.

The start of the third has been delayed. Stay tuned.

2:04 pm: The horses for the third are still in the paddock, and they just announced that the 8th and 10th are now also off the grass. No additional scratches yet, but they're coming.

Flood1
2:14 pm: The horses for the third came onto the track 20 minutes late but just turned around and went back to the paddock. Seemed like a cancellation was in the offing, but Tom Durkin just announced it's only a further delay until some debris is cleared from the track. The sun is shining brightly at the moment.

2:17 pm: "In the interests of safety, the rest of today's live card at Saratoga has been cancelled."

4:45 pm: This is surreal. It hasn't rained a drop since they cancelled, it's a gorgeous day at Saratoga, Hattie's is still selling fried-chicken sandwiches...and there are maybe a couple of hundred people rattling around the joint betting Monmouth simulcasts. Tractors are still working on the holes on the track between the five-sixteenths and quarter poles on the stretch turn. Maybe they should have moved all the races from the main track to the grass.

Here's the recent history of Saratoga cancellations, as provided by NYRA:

On August 2, 2006, severe heat and humidity forced the cancellation of
Saratoga's entire nine-race card. That decision to cancel was also an
historic one, marking the first time in memory that an entire Spa card was
cancelled. Furthermore, it is believed to be the first time racing was
cancelled here because of heat and humidity. There was a heat point index of
110 that day. Prior to that, records indicate that, since the advent of
mutuels in 1940, no entire Saratoga card was cancelled.

On August 7, 1986, the last four races of a Saratoga race-day
card were cancelled because of severe thunder and lightning. Two years
later, on August 28, 1988, the last two races on the day's card, including
the John A. Morris Handicap were also cancelled. That day, a tree struck by
lightning fell onto the main track

On September 2, 1998, the last two races of the meet were
cancelled because of violent wind, rain and lightning.

The final race on Travers Day, August 28, 2004, was cancelled
shortly after Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone won the meet's biggest race by
a two and a half lengths over stablemate The Cliff's Edge.

As for the commenter who assumed there would be refunds on the pick-4, guess again. The 7-all-all-all pick-4 payoff is $4.00, less than Mega ($4.80) paid to win in the first leg, in large part because the pick-4 takeout is 25 percent and the win takeout is 15 percent. You ended up getting to make a win bet at a 25 percent takeout. Congratulations!

This is another of the many wagering rules that needs changing that no one can seem to be bothered to do anything about. Dan Hogan, the chairman of the State Racing and Wagering Board, told me rather forcefully earlier this week that I should stop blaming the SRWB for years of inaction on no-brainer rule changes, saying that the board has "tried to let NYRA operate like a business and has given NYRA every single thing they have asked for except uncoupled entries." NYRA officials dispute this version.

Nobody cares who's to blame; please just fix it. Permit trifectas in all fields of five or more, superfectas in all fields of six or more, don't cancel superfectas in races with coupled entries, give refunds for scratches in the first leg of pick-4's, reduce the takeout rate on multirace wagers when they're turned into win bets -- this stuff isn't exactly drafting the Constitution, and it could all be resolved in one cooperative afternoon, to the eternal gratitude of the wagering public.

Posted by Steven Crist Aug 8, 2008 1:54:38 PM | Permalink

Keywords:

Comments

george says:

What a great reason to not play an expensive Pick-4

Posted by George Aug 12, 2008 1:47:13 PM

rich says:

With regard to that Pick 4 on Friday, a fan in the picnic area was livid that he was not refunded his Pick 4 ticket wager in its entirety, and I think his point was legit. Races 3 & 4 did not involve any "scratches", as those races were not run. If one makes a wager based on 4 races, anything short of 4 races being run should be declared a "non-event". He should have received his money back.

Posted by Rich Aug 11, 2008 2:11:25 PM

trotter says:

I remember once in CA when the races were moved from the dirt trak to the turf due to some problem.

Also bought seats for early in the Saratoga meet. Sent a check for $45 since I wanted clubhouse but only got grand stand since they were sold out. They sent the tickets with letter saying $21 refund would be sent seperately. Still have not seen the check.

I thought Saratoga was the last refuge for respect for the racing fan but now that is also over. I am from MD and vacation there for week every year since 1991. Kids love the Lake George area but perhaps I will go off season now. Constantly escalating prices, lack of action from stewards, horrible racing cards have made it a shell of what it once was.

Posted by trotter Aug 11, 2008 12:27:31 AM

tjo says:

I recall back in the 90's they had a water main break at Hollywood Park and had to move the entire card from dirt to grass.

Posted by tjo Aug 10, 2008 9:40:14 PM

jessica says:

The idea of moving races from dirt to turf made me laugh -- has there ever been an instance of such a switch? Even with all the scratches that would likely result, I think I'd get a kick playing that twist.

Posted by Jessica Aug 9, 2008 9:11:56 PM

david_f says:

There was a Sunday (circa 2003) where we had another rain of biblical proportions in the early part of the card. They cancelled one or two races and fixed the track.

I wasn't up here yesterday but it's hard to say why they wiped put the whole day instead of just a couple of races.

Here in Saratoga now - picture perfect Saturday - but no graded stakes which isn't right.

The town was jumping last night - Caroline St etc.. was never better.

From an optimist's view, we have 11 live races including four minor stakes plus the Arlington simulcast stakes.

Life is good.

As Durkin says, "ENJOY YOUR DAY, HERE AT THE SPAAAA!"

Posted by David F. Aug 9, 2008 11:12:42 AM

wayne80 says:

Nice of NYRA to "exchange" purchased seats based on future availability.

Most folks go to Spa once a year for two or three days, and purchase seats for those days in advance so will never need the seats again.

What they should get is a REFUND, and it should be available via mail.

Posted by Wayne80 Aug 9, 2008 11:12:19 AM

dan_mackenzie says:

Saturday: R Fast Favorite ran a strong race finishing 2nd to Bill Place last time. Interesting.

Posted by Dan MacKenzie Aug 9, 2008 11:01:26 AM

bochalls says:

If we all spent more time studying and less time bawling about NYRA,IEAH, SAR groundskeepers and refunds from Friday, etc...what an opulent and content group we might be. Rain happens (sometimes in mass quantities)...believe me, I used to live in New Orleans until August of 2005. Been going at it pretty hard this meet and I work on the only dark day of the meet (Tues), so yesterday was a great opportunity for me to recap the meet and get up to date on biases, trips etc...today is another day, and once the races begin, you will have forgotten yesterday sooner than you think.

Posted by bochalls Aug 9, 2008 10:23:42 AM

mlnj says:

No I don't work for NYRA. I do think they've done a pretty good job maintaining Saratoga over the 40+ years I've been attending. Downstate is another story.

I don't generally bet other tracks so I don't need any time for that; and the betting lines aren't too bad anymore. But I do find that if I want an ice cream cone I'm invariably juggling it and my binoculars when the gate opens for the next race. It is kinda nice to see the odds, look at the horses, have a third look at the Form, and things like that. Gee, at a racetrack; who would guess.

Posted by ml/nj Aug 9, 2008 9:59:00 AM

tom_nichols says:

interesting on the heat index in '06 Steve...would like to know what it was in '75 when Ancient Title won the Whitney...that weekend was oppressive!

Posted by Tom Nichols Aug 9, 2008 8:01:06 AM

richp says:

Look if you've ever been caught out in one of those Adirondack thunder storms, you wouldn't be blaming Nyra for the cancelation. They are truly like nothing I've ever seen anywhere else.

Posted by RichP Aug 9, 2008 6:59:51 AM

rocco1947 says:

And while we're at it how about upgrading the ancient tv's with some 50 inch plasma tv's, and what is up with the infield tote boards, you can't even read half the numbers, not to mention the horribly inaedequate sound system left over from your middle school auditorium, rather than put AC into the Paddock Pavillion, etc for all the fat cats, how about the little guys out in the grandstand??? Yeah!! now I'm really ticked... Is it too much to let us at least see and hear what's going on as we be the mortgage money on the 11th Race NY Bred Superfecta??

Posted by Rocco1947 Aug 9, 2008 5:52:11 AM

david_w says:

To all,
I know what a bummer it is to drive three and a half hours to the closest track in my area of the country and then have them cancel the cards it stinks, but I would rather see the cards be cancelled instead of trying to greedily run the races and not only get a jockey injured but also lose horses that have to be put down due to unsafe conditions. I must ask everyone to remember the jockeys safty and the horsessafty have to come first. Ilive in Arkansas and Oaklawn races starting in January and the weather can be a problem from trime to time, but the canncellations are not in eveyones besat intrest but we have learned to live with the fact that Oaklawn does what is in the best intrest of what makes this sport the best and thats its participants, the cwners, the horses and jockeys. The fans are left to hopefully understand we can't always control the weather.

Posted by David W Aug 9, 2008 3:50:50 AM

jel says:

don_reed said. "The next time you have something to say about the "no ones" who can't "seem to be bothered to do anything about" what's screwing the betting public - instead of affixing those great, creative icons of people drowning in the rain - post a photograph of the offender.
Prominently. Flush the varmints out of the tall grass..."

Agree 100%...We're waiting for someone(s) in the media to make these people accountable and produce changes.

Thanks

Posted by jel Aug 9, 2008 1:22:08 AM

c says:

Pete,
You make some good points, but I guess we see some things differently.

Larry,
There is time required to bring horses to the paddock and onto the track, but it probably could be cut down a little. What drives me nuts is the 70+ minutes we have to wait before the Kentucky Derby every year. It's like they want to keep you there all night long. The more they postpone it, the more money gets bet in the pools. Pretty simple, actually.

All,
Please get a grip: Saratoga is a PLACE. It is not GOD, nor is it a world leader. It's a racing venue which is run by an inept organization. It's OK to call NYRA boneheads for moving the Woodward, thereby having 2 separate 9 furlong Classic preps at the same track with many of the same horses. If you think that kind of decision makes for good or exciting racing just because it's Saratoga, we'll have to agree to disagree. Lawyer Ron's utterly predictable victory in last year's Whitney Part II against the same field he trounced 4 weeks earlier was not a high point for racing.

Posted by C Aug 9, 2008 12:51:44 AM

steven_crist says:

ron,

The current forecast is for maybe some more light rain overnight but supposedly clear skies tomorrow. I'm handicapping as if it'll be fast dirt and good turf.

str3268,

I've been playing the Emerald late pick-4's on the weekends with indifferent results. Fields have been a little short but I still find the racing there entertaining.

august_west,

A 7-all-all-all payoff of $4.20 was posted, but I don't see it in the official results or charts. It seems to me your $32 ticket should have returned $33.60, since you "had" the $2.10 for $1 payoff 16 times.

Posted by Steven_Crist Aug 9, 2008 12:46:57 AM

august_west says:

OK, I was there and this wasn't your ordinary Saratoga Rainfall. This was Biblical.

I guess blaming NYRA for the weather is par for the course for the dimwitted racing fan.

Anyways, I actually received a refund for my Pick 4 bet. Used the winner 7 and one other horse in the 2nd and it was a $32 ticket for a buck. Got a $32 refund. Nothing screwey seemed to happen. I gave the girl my ticket and $32 popped up on the screen.

Weird, right?

Posted by August West Aug 8, 2008 11:55:52 PM

str3268 says:

Steve,

Do tell: Are you playing Emerald Downs this year??

Posted by str3268 Aug 8, 2008 11:10:58 PM

virgin_queen says:

taking a day off from the poker wars saturday 2 go down 2 suffering downs and play the 250000 pk3 at arl.of course i'm giving up a +ev 4 a -ev but i like 2 think of myself as doing something 4 the good of humanity.might play stud muffin in the 5th at the spa but first i need 2 check out oh hell u know what i mean.anyway gl 2 every 1.

Posted by Virgin Queen Aug 8, 2008 10:27:17 PM

don_reed says:

...There's one solid reason why appeals for racing reform on the issues of "take-out," taxation/withholdings, etc. - have, for the most part, failed.

Whenever columnists or reporters grind out a story, the identities of the culpable ass-draggers are inevitability referred to as "NYRA," "SRWB" (or any of the other dozens of other faceless, bloodless racing organizations).

I can hear readers dozing off before I even get to the end of the latest story.

What has been written fails to inspire. People don't get ignited and cannot become passionate about an issue created by the incompetence of the faceless XYZ state agency, or the nameless boobs screwing things up at the LXNZ federal organization.

But once the actual face of the once-unknown top klutz at FEMA appeared, the fuse was lit. The tsunami of post-Katrina public anger was galvanized, and only then did things change - at an unimaginably rapid pace.

Sure, Hogan's name might have surfaced (in light type, buried in the last paragraphs) from time to time. But for most of us, these are the annual meteor showers that vanish as rapidly as they arrive, rarely memorable in the long run.

The 2008 Belmont Stakes fiasco had human faces: The boasting (to the point of being verbally flatulent) trainer Richard Dutrow, and once-preening owner Mike Iavarone (now, providently exposed as a one-time disreputable penny stock dealer).

I dare you to find one neutral opinion on what transpired on June 7, 2008. And the media showers of negative publicity and recriminations that ensued will be long remembered.

Conversely, we know the faces of the reputable: Edgar Prado, Bill Mott, and numerous other people who time and again have motivated us to love and support the sport, unstintingly.

We read the Form because we know the names and faces of - and have positive emotional and intellectual feelings about - Jay Hovdey, Dave Grening, Dave Litfin, et al. Sure, there's a cold, statistical side to DRF. But it will never be confused with the Wall Street Journal.

Steve, take the next logical step. The next time you have something to say about the "no ones" who can't "seem to be bothered to do anything about" what's screwing the betting public - instead of affixing those great, creative icons of people drowning in the rain - post a photograph of the offender.

Prominently. Flush the varmints out of the tall grass.

Make it possible for the public to visually identify the public servants who, in your opinion, are cashing paychecks and aren't getting the job done....

Posted by Don Reed Aug 8, 2008 9:45:23 PM

tom_d says:

WOOOHOOO! I collected on a bet that there would be one card cancelled because the Mig was back from Cali. True story ! My boo I mean friend bet me 5 to 1 that Saratoga would never cancel a card. I heard the Mig was coming back and we all know from his Aqueduct days he will lead the charge for " jockey safety!" The conditions were brutal. The sun was in my eyes as I returned to my car that I had paid $10 to park. I almost stepped in the puddles left behind the storm. NYRA employees were there for me to make sure my Saratoga vacation was memorable. "No %^&*$$#" refunds!" I was reminded how stupid I was by the Nyra spokeswoman. I heeded her advice and tried to get off the grounds as fast as possible as not offend the parking lot NYRA employees who sensed an early happy hour due to the deplorable conditions of the track littered with puddles. No race ever had been run in such conditions. Happy times!

Posted by TOM D. Aug 8, 2008 9:39:14 PM

ryan says:

MLNJ - One thing as fans of a struggling sport we should NEVER do, is tell someone to stay away.

IMO, there is enough to "do and see" at the Spa to make the excess time go by. It's really only 26 minutes once the race is official. Trip to the paddock, back to the track, bet, you're all set.

Posted by Ryan Aug 8, 2008 8:43:34 PM

pete says:

We got hit shortly after with those thunderstorms...They were intensely violent. Instead of being negative I'll just turn the page to Saturday and take another swing for the fence..........Thanks Steve

Posted by Pete Aug 8, 2008 8:42:00 PM

indian_blessing says:

Steve:

If possible, and time permitting would you mention something tomorrow in the seminar at Siro's or here about Billy Mott's import Ossun who drew the rail and first time lasix in the 100k Madame Jamuel Saturday. And also note how those European Racing Post Ratings relate, if at all, to Beyer figs. Thanks and have a great weekend!

Regards
IB fan

Posted by Indian Blessing Aug 8, 2008 8:08:35 PM

charlie says:

Rain washes away part of the track. Any connection to the constant unnecessary sealing of the track? The track was sealed today after the rain started but before the heavy rain and hail.

Posted by charlie Aug 8, 2008 7:54:57 PM

ron says:

How bad was the washout on the turn? Did they lose a lot of the track dirt from the inside or out side rail area?

Passero could sure write some book after he leaves NYRA as head of track surfaces.

PS what does the day look like Saturday, fast-good-slop???

Posted by Ron Aug 8, 2008 7:10:41 PM

brian says:

Minj: Larry was just analyzing why attendance might be down, and I agree with him. If you like 33 minutes between races, fine. But I think you're in the minority, even at a nice spot like Saratoga. My problem is NYRA, to my knowledge, hasn't explained the added minutes to the race card. At least tell people you're doing it.

Posted by Brian Aug 8, 2008 6:52:10 PM

dale_tillotson says:

hi steve.
just got home after a 3 hour return trip from the soaked spa. i understand some got refunds for admission, i did not stick around to further fight the departing crowd for a refund. i was happy showed a slight betting profit from races 1 and 2.
obiviously not a net profit considering the 6 hr. total commute. a suggestion for nyra. on a daily basis give a receipt to all paying customers for admission, programs and parking, to show they really do care about the patrons. that considered another suggestion to nyra to honor todays patrons would be if you bought nyra parking for them to honor your parking stub like the breakfast refund. also anyone cashing a refund ticket could also be given a free admission for future use. with that said kudos to nyra for protecting the safety of the jocks, horses, and patrons.
i hope this all made sense as it was a long trip home listening to all the radio reports of former pres. candidate edwards extramarital affair.

Posted by dale tillotson Aug 8, 2008 6:47:03 PM

richf says:

ml/nj: I must ask why do you say that there isn't enough time between races?

I would love to find out why tracks feel the need to expand the day, and give more time in between wagers. Maybe you can help me figure that out. Is it to accommodate simulcast players? Is it to try to bring in more money per race?

I personally think that the time in between throughbred races are long, too. When I am at Saratoga, I am usually betting Saratoga exclusively. Yes, there are times when there are things to witness in between the races, but they do get old a little bit, too.

About the track and the washouts: Quite a shame that they had to remove a Friday racing card at Saratoga. With this cancellation, there goes much of the chance that NYRA would be able to spin the stats, and say that "Handle is up from last year to this year", even though that reason could have come because they are offering an additional race (10 Mon, Wed-Fri @ 11 on Sat-Sun; opposed to the 9 Mon, Wed-Fri @ 10 on Sat-Sun, exceptions apply).

Here's an idea. How about on days like this, see if the horses could run on the Oklahoma Track and feed the races onto the TV monitors at the track? Of course, the Oklahoma Track is smaller, but.. maybe that would be better than sending everyone home.

I bet about 25% of the money that the Race Course lost in on-track wagers made their way to Saratoga Gaming and Raceway.

Posted by richf Aug 8, 2008 6:33:43 PM

prozac_jack says:

Steve, That's to bad about them canceling your race card at Saratoga.If you want me to, I can make a call to a couple of my friends in SUNNY Calif.because out there they have this "magic dust" they call it CUSHION track, and for ONLY $10 million, they will GUARANTEE a cancellation of at least 11 days, you just SPRINKLE it in, and WHAM-O all of the horses FORM is gone and soon all the people will be gone just like " MAGIC"

Posted by Prozac Jack Aug 8, 2008 6:30:16 PM

andyscoggin says:

FROM THE NYRA WEBSITE
RE: refunds, rainchecks, free programs/DRFs

"Patrons were given a two-part rain check for admission and program upon exiting the facility. Exchange of reserved seats will be granted for future dates, based on availability.

The New York Racing Association will also honor exchange of Daily Racing Form and/or program on any day within the next two weeks (for a COMPLETE DRF or a COMPLETE program)."

Posted by AndyScoggin Aug 8, 2008 6:03:26 PM

buffalo_joe says:

Larry,

Please don't stay away. Horse racing needs all the fans it can get. I personally need a lot of time between races also, especially if I have bets to make at other tracks.

Some smaller venues do run races spaced closer together 25mins. or so. But at Saratoga it is as much TRADITION, as well as giving he large crowds ample chance to get their wagers in. There is nothing a horse player hates worse, than getting shut out win or lose!

Posted by buffalo joe Aug 8, 2008 6:00:29 PM

mark_c says:

mlnj says " if the time between races causes you to be bored,why don't you stay away" Mlnj must be a NYRA employee...That's exactly how they answer every complaint. BUT they must be doing a great job because they always make a profit...much like MAGNA run tracks....Oh wait!!! they both bleed money all the time......

I know someone is going to come out of the woodwork to say "it's the governments fault" or "If they only had slots" blah blah blah.As my favorite auther, larry Winget says.."If your business stinks..it's because you stink at your business"

Posted by mark c Aug 8, 2008 5:50:19 PM

ajv says:

Steve, I've been spending my now free time looking at Arlington's Saturday Million Day Card. Drool, drool! Now that's a Saturday race card to make me wanna raid the bank account! How about we all meet at Albany airport tomorrow a.m and splurge on a United $600+ nonstop round trip ticket and go watch some big time horse racing! I'll buy the first round of beverages! I'm sure Arlington has Furlong Franks...AJV

Posted by AJV Aug 8, 2008 5:26:14 PM

mark_fogarty says:

As to your last paragraph today, in the (hopefully) printable words of Norman Mailer, "fuggin ay".

Posted by mark fogarty Aug 8, 2008 5:25:54 PM

mlnj says:

Ray:

We did get a raincheck leaving the track. No one seem to know if there would be a refund for reserved seats though.

Larry:

If the time between races causes you to be bored, why don't you just stay away? As far as I am concerned there isn't enough time between races.

Posted by ml/nj Aug 8, 2008 5:06:56 PM

mlnj says:

I guess I'd like to know why, if it would have only take an hour to repair the track, they didn't just cancel the third and the fourth.

I took the day off from work, drove up from NJ, and now I'm sitting in my hotel room hoping the internet connection here will last me to the final table in whatever poker game I happen to enter.

Bummer.

Posted by ml/nj Aug 8, 2008 4:26:36 PM

alex says:

So Steve, are you off to Winslow's to beat the rush for the turkey or are you off to the Stewart Shop to load up on Cheese Waffies for tonight's handicapping session?

Posted by Alex Aug 8, 2008 4:13:36 PM

ray_flack says:

Do fans who paid admission and so on get a rain check?

Posted by ray flack Aug 8, 2008 4:12:30 PM

horserun says:

Tom Durkin just announced it's only a further delay until some debris is cleared from the track.

I knew when i heard those words, racing was going to be cancelled...Cant anyone ever tell it straight and true any more, or must everything be a spin job

Posted by Horserun Aug 8, 2008 4:09:39 PM

stan says:

Thanks Steve. A pleasure reading your blog on drf.com. Thanks for the info on Friday's washout. Arrived home at 3, put on channel 74,(Long Island) we know the drill, no info about Saratoga. Info button on the remote still says Race Day Belmont. At least Simulcasting is being shown.(no Officina Italia till 6). No info anywhere else including the nyra website.

Posted by Stan Aug 8, 2008 3:55:09 PM

easygoer says:

Sigh...I hate it when that happens...

The horse I would have lost my money on: Hot Pace (my grandson) in the 7th. Tagg trained, Coa up, and at a long price.

He would have won. Really.

Posted by easygoer Aug 8, 2008 3:17:29 PM

l_keller says:

A 10 minute thunderstorm causes a cancellation?
Isn't that something??
Six maiden races the other day, no stakes race on a Saturday, and now this.PS-Lets not forget the closing day fiasco at Belmont
...Here's a message for NYRA: You're doing a LOUSY job. The state should have NEVER given you a franchise extension.

Posted by L Keller Aug 8, 2008 2:46:48 PM

brian_mclean says:

Value play of the day is two Dickey Betts tickets for $40.00. He's playing tonight at Proctors in Schenectady.

"What a deal! With the help of our friends at WGNA, purchase a ticket to Dickey Betts and Great Southern and receive a second ticket free!"

http://www.proctors.org/events/2678

See you tomorrow at the Spa.

Posted by Brian McLean Aug 8, 2008 2:32:47 PM

delmardude says:

Hey Steve was just wondering how the refund works on the Pick 4? TVG is just showing refunds only on the Pick 3. I'm sure it is a techincal error, but I assume that all wagers will just be returned.

Posted by delmardude Aug 8, 2008 2:31:31 PM

larry_thiel says:

I think the attendance problem is due to length of time between races. Do we really need 33 minutes? So we're out at the track 5 1/2 hours.
I actually don't mind that once in awhile. If the company's good enough, and the food's good enough.
But sometimes that's a long, long day. Who can do that everyday.
A racing nut might like it.
But a casual fan's never going to go for it. Nobody's waiting 33 minutes to put their next quarter in the slot.
They've got to find a way to make a shorter day of it.

Posted by Larry Thiel Aug 8, 2008 2:11:33 PM

Comments to this entry are closed.

About

Steven Crist has been the Publisher and a columnist for Daily Racing Form since 1998. Previously, he covered racing for The New York Times from 1981-1990; was founding editor-in-chief of The Racing Times in 1991-92; and a vice-president of the New York Racing Association from 1994-97. He recently released an instructional DVD titled "Exotic Tickets," and is the author of several books including "Betting on Myself" and "Exotic Betting."

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