tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post1923806137856606693..comments2024-03-05T05:38:22.024-05:00Comments on Left at the Gate: Friday News and NotesAlan Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-16551477819600246622010-12-13T09:31:27.577-05:002010-12-13T09:31:27.577-05:00I write this;
"Most of these operate in cash...I write this;<br /><br />"Most of these operate in cash, many can barely turn on a computer, so no wagering platform will capture them."<br /><br />And then I triple post, clearly I belong in the OTB.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-84940501552939245912010-12-13T00:01:47.684-05:002010-12-13T00:01:47.684-05:00Anon, I see you're ready to match the Jets, ch...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.steve in nchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04061356872686618093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-10798652318357667512010-12-12T17:50:05.565-05:002010-12-12T17:50:05.565-05:00Don't know which is worse, figless with his pr...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.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-57207981429691640282010-12-12T12:06:35.992-05:002010-12-12T12:06:35.992-05:00To steal from Tom Waits, "my computer has bee...To steal from Tom Waits, "my computer has been drinking, not me."steve in nchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04061356872686618093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-35582904511157622662010-12-12T08:36:08.630-05:002010-12-12T08:36:08.630-05:00YIKES!
Sorry for that triple post, no idea what w...YIKES!<br /><br />Sorry for that triple post, no idea what went on there..<br /><br />And I didnt even drink last night.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-32110930117742515992010-12-12T08:34:50.256-05:002010-12-12T08:34:50.256-05:00Steve, Archived video is available for two months,...Steve, Archived video is available for two months, cutoff today is 10/11/10 at Belmont.<br /><br />Stakes races are archived for the whole year, it appears, maybe longer.<br /><br />And there is a youtube channel too, which I have never investigated, that included Sterlings "trips and traps" and other features.<br /><br />NYRA really has been trying recently despite their tough economic condition but they are hampered by politics.<br /><br />Perhaps this NYC OTB collapse is the turning of the tide in the State, I can dream.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />An interesting experiment.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Belmont Park is addicting, once they get a taste and smell of that place it could bring them back for more.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Most of them will migrate to the track, at least on weekends, and many will open NYRA ONE accounts to gamble during the week.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Most of these operate in cash, many can barely turn on a computer, so no wagering platform will capture them.<br /><br />Some will hop on the bus, the retired and unemployed folks mostly. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />Can NYRA make up for the lost revenue? <br /><br />A resounding maybe based on the first weeks results. <br /><br />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.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-68121919294369481822010-12-12T08:34:19.743-05:002010-12-12T08:34:19.743-05:00Steve, Archived video is available for two months,...Steve, Archived video is available for two months, cutoff today is 10/11/10 at Belmont.<br /><br />Stakes races are archived for the whole year, it appears, maybe longer.<br /><br />And there is a youtube channel too, which I have never investigated, that included Sterlings "trips and traps" and other features.<br /><br />NYRA really has been trying recently despite their tough economic condition but they are hampered by politics.<br /><br />Perhaps this NYC OTB collapse is the turning of the tide in the State, I can dream.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />An interesting experiment.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Belmont Park is addicting, once they get a taste and smell of that place it could bring them back for more.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Most of them will migrate to the track, at least on weekends, and many will open NYRA ONE accounts to gamble during the week.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Most of these operate in cash, many can barely turn on a computer, so no wagering platform will capture them.<br /><br />Some will hop on the bus, the retired and unemployed folks mostly. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />Can NYRA make up for the lost revenue? <br /><br />A resounding maybe based on the first weeks results. <br /><br />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.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-65405203780734579282010-12-12T08:34:05.576-05:002010-12-12T08:34:05.576-05:00Steve, Archived video is available for two months,...Steve, Archived video is available for two months, cutoff today is 10/11/10 at Belmont.<br /><br />Stakes races are archived for the whole year, it appears, maybe longer.<br /><br />And there is a youtube channel too, which I have never investigated, that included Sterlings "trips and traps" and other features.<br /><br />NYRA really has been trying recently despite their tough economic condition but they are hampered by politics.<br /><br />Perhaps this NYC OTB collapse is the turning of the tide in the State, I can dream.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />An interesting experiment.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Belmont Park is addicting, once they get a taste and smell of that place it could bring them back for more.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Most of them will migrate to the track, at least on weekends, and many will open NYRA ONE accounts to gamble during the week.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Most of these operate in cash, many can barely turn on a computer, so no wagering platform will capture them.<br /><br />Some will hop on the bus, the retired and unemployed folks mostly. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />Can NYRA make up for the lost revenue? <br /><br />A resounding maybe based on the first weeks results. <br /><br />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.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-30840456111975042232010-12-11T15:44:27.492-05:002010-12-11T15:44:27.492-05:00Figless, thanks. I had no idea there was video (an...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 in nchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04061356872686618093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-3963929051074137082010-12-11T09:41:16.474-05:002010-12-11T09:41:16.474-05:00NYRA does provide video, ten minutes after the eve...NYRA does provide video, ten minutes after the event. The above analysis makes it appear that you can not watch the races at all.<br /><br />No live streaming, yet, but this may come VERY soon.<br /><br />And Channel 71 should be back for NYC residents this week.<br /><br />They added more buses beginning next week, so it must be working. I suspect the buses to Belmont may be very popular come springtime.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-55432582559219743992010-12-10T23:54:48.445-05:002010-12-10T23:54:48.445-05:00Been betting via NYRA1 by phone, talking to attend...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) <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.steve in nchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04061356872686618093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-58115331629032578202010-12-10T23:03:57.600-05:002010-12-10T23:03:57.600-05:00I'm not trying to toot my horn, but I posted o...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.<br /><br />The money they pay Andy Serling should have gone into developing the gold standard in mobile wagering and streaming video.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />I could write for weeks about the current ADWs and all the differences. In a nutshell here are some of the glaring disparities.....<br /><br />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).<br /><br />Xpressbet.com: you only need to open an account to watch live video (No NYRA live feed available to NY residents).<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />As for the user interfaces, the old Youbet was so good that Twinspires.com continues to offer it. However, there are issues with it.<br /><br />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.Jim Lansonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-73488573471224546162010-12-10T13:13:56.190-05:002010-12-10T13:13:56.190-05:00sorry to be promotional guy, but just wanted to sa...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).<br /><br />-drAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-20334822653783231662010-12-10T11:08:13.448-05:002010-12-10T11:08:13.448-05:00For Blackberry users I suggest the mobile app for ...For Blackberry users I suggest the mobile app for NYRA Rewards users.<br /> 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.SaratogaSpahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05181152277681879529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-44403800994933931202010-12-10T10:22:41.259-05:002010-12-10T10:22:41.259-05:00At some point at Belmont - spring or fall - my car...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. <br /><br />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.Teresahttp://www.brooklynbackstretch.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-58438735415049772562010-12-10T10:06:44.926-05:002010-12-10T10:06:44.926-05:00Teresa - Really? When I called....and this was ab...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.alannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-53003834380352823052010-12-10T10:03:45.053-05:002010-12-10T10:03:45.053-05:00Betting by phone with NYRA Rewards = speaking with...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. <br /><br /><a href="http://assembly.state.ny.us/comm/Racing/20101208/" rel="nofollow">Assembly meeting</a> next week to talk about OTB consolidation.Teresahttp://www.brooklynbackstretch.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-40802362864228985782010-12-10T09:43:52.632-05:002010-12-10T09:43:52.632-05:00I believe you use your nyra account via touch tone...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.jknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-65016945443145456142010-12-10T09:40:16.305-05:002010-12-10T09:40:16.305-05:00There are reports the remaining OTB's except N...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.jknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-63772384471116429332010-12-10T09:38:12.860-05:002010-12-10T09:38:12.860-05:00Would it kill some of the industries in racing to ...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.El Angelohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14145024095815950963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-32842114593164179912010-12-10T08:29:20.788-05:002010-12-10T08:29:20.788-05:00I finally signed up yesterday for NYRA rewards, an...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.<br /><br />As part of the process I was given an Acct # and needed to create both a Pin# and an "Access Code".<br /><br />I have yet to determine what purpose the access code serves, but it might be the information needed to wager by phone.<br /><br />Chris, you can call customer support at 1-800-474-0192, hopefully they can answer your question, they were quite helpful with mine yesterday.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-35208864481826639002010-12-10T08:24:11.173-05:002010-12-10T08:24:11.173-05:00Around $1,000 per extra attendee, nice!
Appears t...Around $1,000 per extra attendee, nice!<br /><br />Appears those willing to make the journey to the Big A are the serious players, not whales, but serious.<br /><br />Belmont idea is terrific. <br /><br />Channel 71 back on the air would make me happy, but has pros and cons.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-68250441415948416592010-12-10T07:51:52.085-05:002010-12-10T07:51:52.085-05:00chris - The last time I tried that, I was asked fo...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.alannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-45906548878031960322010-12-10T02:43:53.254-05:002010-12-10T02:43:53.254-05:00alan
can you bet with your phone?
i bet a few race...alan<br />can you bet with your phone?<br />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. <br />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.<br />cheers, chrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com