I know you don't mind if I toot my own horn once in a blue moon. I mean, I haven't picked many winners of late, and I don't make much money doing this, so I get to indulge myself occasionally, right?
So, perhaps you've sometimes noticed that you read something here, and then you read it in the mainstream press later on. On Thursday morning, I postulated that NYRA only needs to capture about a third of wagers that were placed through NYC OTB to break even. Later on, Charlie Hayward was quoted putting the figure at 35%, in the first public statement I've seen attempting to quantify the situation in those terms, as I did. Also, I've been emphasizing the need for live streaming for NYRA Rewards and other in-state ADW's for days; posted an explanation as to what the problem is, and now that issue is all over the press. So, just sayin'.
Intra-state off-track wagering declined 39% on Thursday from last week; but NYRA made up some ground on track, where they drew 2704 (vs 2101 last Thursday) who wagered $536,000 (vs $475,000).
NYRA intensifies their efforts to attract the valuable on-track handle with the opening of Belmont as an OTB of their own, and an effort to renew live racing on Channel 71.
Yonkers conducted their first card since the shutdown, and attracted a total handle of $562,386; that as opposed to $802,386 last Thursday. That's a decline of nearly 30%. And Friday and Saturday night they'll be more harness competition, with the Meadowlands and Saratoga having been dark on Thursday. The harness guys, bitterly opposed to the Senate bill - no less the GOP bill - remain steadfastly upbeat.
"While the closure of New York City Off Track Betting will obviously generate short term challenges for New York’s harness racing industry, in the long term it also presents an opportunity to re-think off-track wagering in the state altogether. [Statement by Empire State Harness Horsemen's Alliance]Indeed. But handle declines such as Thursday's, and the political realities of racing and wagering in New York, could have a sobering effect before too long.
- In the second at the Big A on Friday (which, with the OTB on Park Place closed and the NYRA Rewards site blocked by my employer's internet police, I have little chance of actually betting on), Deceptive late gain is the trouble line comment for the second place finish of Kinkora (5-2) in her last. That's a new one for me. Further examination of the race provides some context; winner Silver Horseshoe was said to have appeared choppy-gaited nearing the sixteenth pole, and was vanned off after the race. Still, Kinkora finished well, in 12.73 seconds, after laying closer to the pace with blinkers added. So I think it would be deceptive to read too much into that comment. Third place finisher Honest Gold missed by a nose in each of her next two starts.
Cautionary Tale (8-1) finished far behind Kinkora that day, but showed solid improvement at 41-1 in her last, closing for third in lively splits of 12 1/5 and 12 2/5 for trainer John Hertler, who won three in a row from 11/26 through 12/5 (two others since then). That last race has come back strong; besides the aforementioned Honest Gold, the first of her two aforementioned seconds, 5th place finisher Suroof won her next (on the turf) with an 85 Beyer; and the 6th place Alla Prima won off by 20 at Suffolk. Not much speed for Cautionary Tale, but seems worth a shot for at least a piece at that price. Arena Elvira (6-5) has burned money before, comes off a layoff with a big workout gap, and ran her fastest race on a wet track, rated good. I'm stretching here perhaps in an attempt to beat chalk who holds class, speed, and tactical edges, but she can beat me at that price, I won't mind too much. I can't bet the race anyway.
24 Comments:
alan
can you bet with your phone?
i bet a few races on the friday breeders cup card with my iphone (and watched them with the breeders cup app) while riding the lirr to work. it was very cool although i did not cash.
it would be easier with a nyra rewards app, betting through the safari browser is a little clunky. they'll probably have that ready to go in about 2020.
cheers, chris
chris - The last time I tried that, I was asked for a password other than my internet one. Apparently, I has to submit one when I first signed up, and I have no idea what it is. NYRA might want to consider changing that policy in their efforts to facilitate their account wagering.
Around $1,000 per extra attendee, nice!
Appears those willing to make the journey to the Big A are the serious players, not whales, but serious.
Belmont idea is terrific.
Channel 71 back on the air would make me happy, but has pros and cons.
I finally signed up yesterday for NYRA rewards, and after much complaining in the past I must eat crow and state that customer service was quite helpful, responding timely to my issues. Kudos.
As part of the process I was given an Acct # and needed to create both a Pin# and an "Access Code".
I have yet to determine what purpose the access code serves, but it might be the information needed to wager by phone.
Chris, you can call customer support at 1-800-474-0192, hopefully they can answer your question, they were quite helpful with mine yesterday.
Would it kill some of the industries in racing to come up with some real apps for iphones and other smartphones? For example, why isn't there an app by NYRA rewards to make a bet without going through Safari or Chrome? Or why doesn't the Form have an app that streams odds and results? Neither of these would cost very much and would inure a financial and PR benefit to everyone.
There are reports the remaining OTB's except Nassau are meeting to discuss consolidation. The parasites see the writing on the wall and are falling in line.
I believe you use your nyra account via touch tone. It is a bit clunky, I used to do it with my CT OTB account, but you can get a wager in.
Betting by phone with NYRA Rewards = speaking with a human. Alan, the rep was able to supply my password when I couldn't remember it.
Assembly meeting next week to talk about OTB consolidation.
Teresa - Really? When I called....and this was about a year ago on a day when the website was down....the CS person pointedly (and rather rudely) declined to give me the password. (I of course saved money anyway.) Will try again. Nice win for the Blueshirts last night.
At some point at Belmont - spring or fall - my card wasn't working, so I called. I was frankly shocked at how easy it was to get the password! But if you get in touch with someone at customer service there, no doubt someone would help you.
I was out for most of the game, got home to see Sauer's goal, and then fell asleep. Glad to see they held it together.
For Blackberry users I suggest the mobile app for NYRA Rewards users.
As a long time user of NYRA Rewards I have only used it for betting over the computer and on track at the terminals. But I jumped in the pool and downloaded the app yesterday. You use the same acct # & Password as your web sign-in. Directions are on the nyra website. It is a little clunky and takes great eyesight but I was able to put a bet in successfully on my first try.
sorry to be promotional guy, but just wanted to say that "m.twinspires.com" is a great and easy way to make wagers from your mobile device :-) (with video, although the NYRA video restrictions still apply, unfortunately).
-dr
I'm not trying to toot my horn, but I posted on Alan's blog a number of times over the years and also on Ray Paulick's site about the need for promoting the sport as much as possible in the mobile world.
The money they pay Andy Serling should have gone into developing the gold standard in mobile wagering and streaming video.
The fact there is not an App for mobile wagering; that it's done using the mobile Safari, is because Apple may not approve of that type of App. All Apps have to be approved by Apple for the iPhone, not sure what the policy is for other smartphones App stores.
Twinspires.com is good. It reminds me of the NYRA mobile site except Twinspires does take it to the next level and offers video. If a NYRA mobile site allowed free video streaming access, it might deflate a number of ADWs.
One of the major hinderances to all of this is that there is not a consistent platform. One mobile ADW site has something another needs and vice versa.
I had an iPad at Saratoga for the first two weeks and I appeared to be the only person walking the grounds with one. I used it to access PPs and check live odds, pools, etc. The main issue was what has been a problem with the device -- it is tough to see the contents on the screen in bright or direct sunlight. Also, NYRA doesn't offer free and open Wi-Fi, and that should be another element added to its Social Media menu.
I could write for weeks about the current ADWs and all the differences. In a nutshell here are some of the glaring disparities.....
Twinspires.com: you need to wager $50 every 7 days or $100 per month to watch live video (No NYRA live feed available to NY residents).
Xpressbet.com: you only need to open an account to watch live video (No NYRA live feed available to NY residents).
Youbet.com: you no longer can use this site, though its platform has been absorbed into Twinspires.com. The free Youbet.net, which again is no more, once allowed you to watch a live NYRA feed if you signed up and provided a fake zip code. They used the zip code one would enter for verification purposes, but it never blocked access for me, a NY resident.
NYRA Rewards.com: you cannot watch any feed. Not even NYRA. Not from any other state and not from within NY. Their user interface is good.
As for the user interfaces, the old Youbet was so good that Twinspires.com continues to offer it. However, there are issues with it.
For the mobile users, ones with Smartphones, if you want to watch races (except for NYRA), nothing beats Twinspires.com mobile site. It's by far the best.
Been betting via NYRA1 by phone, talking to attendants for over a decade. I've never had a winner fail to score for me due to operator error. (insert comment here about how few winners I've had)
It is also no problem to get a supervisor to cancel a bet even with just a few minutes to post if the odds change drastically or your horse comes out washy in the post parade.
Getting shut out has become a total rarity, and it is extremely easy to make deposits & withdrawals to my checking account over the phone, instantly. With Dish Network, I can get both HRTV and TVG. Views of the post parade are spotty, but between the two of them, all the races are there.
If NYC OTB is truly dead, when the old facilities descend to hell, they will give the devil lung cancer. Back in the day, if I ran in to bet just one race, even without staying to watch, as a non-smoker, I had to change all my clothes and take a shower. But I could still smell the smoke - I had to scrub my eyeglasses frames with soap.
NYRA does provide video, ten minutes after the event. The above analysis makes it appear that you can not watch the races at all.
No live streaming, yet, but this may come VERY soon.
And Channel 71 should be back for NYC residents this week.
They added more buses beginning next week, so it must be working. I suspect the buses to Belmont may be very popular come springtime.
Figless, thanks. I had no idea there was video (and photos of finishes too) on that site. Didn't used to be. Do they stay up there overnight (can I watch replays after the kids have gone to bed?)? Thanks again.
Steve, Archived video is available for two months, cutoff today is 10/11/10 at Belmont.
Stakes races are archived for the whole year, it appears, maybe longer.
And there is a youtube channel too, which I have never investigated, that included Sterlings "trips and traps" and other features.
NYRA really has been trying recently despite their tough economic condition but they are hampered by politics.
Perhaps this NYC OTB collapse is the turning of the tide in the State, I can dream.
5,500 at Big A yesterday, up 60% over last year with on track handle(including new NYRA rewards custormers) up 20%. Overall handle down ONLY 7% despite intrastate handle decreasing 50%, which seems to indicate some of the NYCOTB customers have migrated to out of state platforms.
An interesting experiment.
I really believe the buses will have a real impact on Belmont if this lasts that long, I mean, it would be like a day in the country for most of these folks.
Belmont Park is addicting, once they get a taste and smell of that place it could bring them back for more.
As a semi-horseman, not sure whethar to root for Albany to pass that bill and resurrect NYCOTB or just let the industry take their medicine now in the hopes that the industry survives and is healthier for enuduring all the temporary pain.
The racing purist in me always believed that if OTB suddenly closed many of the fans would make the effort to get to the track, most of the folks I associate with in the OTB Restaurant are true fans of the sport, believe it or not, they have just gotten lazy and comfortable in the local environment.
Most of them will migrate to the track, at least on weekends, and many will open NYRA ONE accounts to gamble during the week.
The patrons of the old fashioned OTB Parlors I am not so sure about. They are mostly small players but cumulatively make up a large part of the handle.
Most of these operate in cash, many can barely turn on a computer, so no wagering platform will capture them.
Some will hop on the bus, the retired and unemployed folks mostly.
Some will migrate to local bookies, but many will not do either and will just have to find something else to do with their money.
Can NYRA make up for the lost revenue?
A resounding maybe based on the first weeks results.
Although running those buses has to be costly if they can get those folks to sign up for and use NYRA ONE this might actually work out.
Steve, Archived video is available for two months, cutoff today is 10/11/10 at Belmont.
Stakes races are archived for the whole year, it appears, maybe longer.
And there is a youtube channel too, which I have never investigated, that included Sterlings "trips and traps" and other features.
NYRA really has been trying recently despite their tough economic condition but they are hampered by politics.
Perhaps this NYC OTB collapse is the turning of the tide in the State, I can dream.
5,500 at Big A yesterday, up 60% over last year with on track handle(including new NYRA rewards custormers) up 20%. Overall handle down ONLY 7% despite intrastate handle decreasing 50%, which seems to indicate some of the NYCOTB customers have migrated to out of state platforms.
An interesting experiment.
I really believe the buses will have a real impact on Belmont if this lasts that long, I mean, it would be like a day in the country for most of these folks.
Belmont Park is addicting, once they get a taste and smell of that place it could bring them back for more.
As a semi-horseman, not sure whethar to root for Albany to pass that bill and resurrect NYCOTB or just let the industry take their medicine now in the hopes that the industry survives and is healthier for enuduring all the temporary pain.
The racing purist in me always believed that if OTB suddenly closed many of the fans would make the effort to get to the track, most of the folks I associate with in the OTB Restaurant are true fans of the sport, believe it or not, they have just gotten lazy and comfortable in the local environment.
Most of them will migrate to the track, at least on weekends, and many will open NYRA ONE accounts to gamble during the week.
The patrons of the old fashioned OTB Parlors I am not so sure about. They are mostly small players but cumulatively make up a large part of the handle.
Most of these operate in cash, many can barely turn on a computer, so no wagering platform will capture them.
Some will hop on the bus, the retired and unemployed folks mostly.
Some will migrate to local bookies, but many will not do either and will just have to find something else to do with their money.
Can NYRA make up for the lost revenue?
A resounding maybe based on the first weeks results.
Although running those buses has to be costly if they can get those folks to sign up for and use NYRA ONE this might actually work out.
Steve, Archived video is available for two months, cutoff today is 10/11/10 at Belmont.
Stakes races are archived for the whole year, it appears, maybe longer.
And there is a youtube channel too, which I have never investigated, that included Sterlings "trips and traps" and other features.
NYRA really has been trying recently despite their tough economic condition but they are hampered by politics.
Perhaps this NYC OTB collapse is the turning of the tide in the State, I can dream.
5,500 at Big A yesterday, up 60% over last year with on track handle(including new NYRA rewards custormers) up 20%. Overall handle down ONLY 7% despite intrastate handle decreasing 50%, which seems to indicate some of the NYCOTB customers have migrated to out of state platforms.
An interesting experiment.
I really believe the buses will have a real impact on Belmont if this lasts that long, I mean, it would be like a day in the country for most of these folks.
Belmont Park is addicting, once they get a taste and smell of that place it could bring them back for more.
As a semi-horseman, not sure whethar to root for Albany to pass that bill and resurrect NYCOTB or just let the industry take their medicine now in the hopes that the industry survives and is healthier for enuduring all the temporary pain.
The racing purist in me always believed that if OTB suddenly closed many of the fans would make the effort to get to the track, most of the folks I associate with in the OTB Restaurant are true fans of the sport, believe it or not, they have just gotten lazy and comfortable in the local environment.
Most of them will migrate to the track, at least on weekends, and many will open NYRA ONE accounts to gamble during the week.
The patrons of the old fashioned OTB Parlors I am not so sure about. They are mostly small players but cumulatively make up a large part of the handle.
Most of these operate in cash, many can barely turn on a computer, so no wagering platform will capture them.
Some will hop on the bus, the retired and unemployed folks mostly.
Some will migrate to local bookies, but many will not do either and will just have to find something else to do with their money.
Can NYRA make up for the lost revenue?
A resounding maybe based on the first weeks results.
Although running those buses has to be costly if they can get those folks to sign up for and use NYRA ONE this might actually work out.
YIKES!
Sorry for that triple post, no idea what went on there..
And I didnt even drink last night.
To steal from Tom Waits, "my computer has been drinking, not me."
Don't know which is worse, figless with his prattle ad nauseum, or the New York Jets being the most over-rated football team in the NFL.
Anon, I see you're ready to match the Jets, cheap shot for cheap shot. I kind of like Figless' prattle, although once is enough for me.
I write this;
"Most of these operate in cash, many can barely turn on a computer, so no wagering platform will capture them."
And then I triple post, clearly I belong in the OTB.
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