tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post7059878589760540596..comments2024-03-05T05:38:22.024-05:00Comments on Left at the Gate: Franchise Delay No Surprise At AllAlan Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-57342167441365404972007-05-11T11:23:00.000-04:002007-05-11T11:23:00.000-04:00Gulfstream is a mess. I ran into the same ATM iss...Gulfstream is a mess. I ran into the same ATM issue on FOY Day and it is proposterous. Beyond the ATM how about lousy parking situation, complete frustration in finding a good spot to watch the races outside (it is south florida afterall), still not enough betting windows, walking ring and viewing area is too small, AV is terrible, service is marginal, and getting in and out of the place is impossible. On Fountain of Youth Day they actually ran out of Forms by the 4th race. The most mismanaged racing operation I have ever come across.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-30291115660712697892007-05-11T11:12:00.000-04:002007-05-11T11:12:00.000-04:00Well at least NYRA is allowed to have ATM's. Now a...Well at least NYRA is allowed to have ATM's. Now all they have to do is remember to stock them with money for opening day.<BR/><BR/>Every machine in the place was without cash, when added to the steam room debacle and back yard tote boards being out of order for the hundredth consecutive opening day, was a complete joke.<BR/><BR/>But yeah, go ahead and give every executive a promotion and a raise, good jobs guys!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-28407890174794311752007-05-11T06:56:00.000-04:002007-05-11T06:56:00.000-04:00I don't think the removal of ATMs from the grounds...I don't think the removal of ATMs from the grounds was the <I>only</I> source for blame, but it was certainly more of an issue than the snowbirds heading north for the summer. The decline was an issue throughout the winter season, which is traditionally prime time for northern invaders with cash to burn. ^-^<BR/><BR/>It's almost as if MEC blinded themselves to the existence of the Hard Rock, or took for granted that the horseplayers would carry them through. Unfortunately, the no ATM / no check-cashing law that came with the slots has seriously put out the bread-and-butter bettors.<BR/><BR/>The other gut punch (as I understand it) was the fact they preemptively raised purses based on the grievously overestimated increased revenue they were so certain the slots would bring in. They were hoping to stimulate a record-setting winter season by, in effect, spending money they didn't exactly have on reserve. And in that, Magna shot them selves in the foot-- because the slots didn't pan out.<BR/><BR/>I just ... and I might soapbox a moment here, so forgive me ... I lived there long enough to know. People who just want to gamble will go to the Seminole. People who want to play the horses won't. MEC tried to integrate Gulfstream Park into the Hard Rock market with slots and poker when nobody was complaining about there being nowhere else to go, and in doing so they penalized the people who supported the sport that made Gulfstream in the first place. It's just ... sad.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11775282065186766299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-43212462068806060462007-05-11T00:40:00.000-04:002007-05-11T00:40:00.000-04:00I attributed the drop in AGR at Gulfstream to the ...I attributed the drop in AGR at Gulfstream to the same thing that happens to all businesses in Florida. A HUGE chunk of the people that have been there since the slots opened (Oct ?) have gone home up north. Those people are the ones with the disposable income.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-19849692215778579222007-05-10T22:47:00.000-04:002007-05-10T22:47:00.000-04:00Anon - That's a fair point; thanks for bringing it...Anon - That's a fair point; thanks for bringing it to my attention. I guess it's easy to be snarky from the sidelines when you're not directly affected. I wonder if the governor is even aware of the conditions on the backstretch, and what effect a delay would have. <BR/><BR/>jl - Do you think that the ATM thing would be the cause of such a decline? That blows about your Donn day. Why should us horseplayers be penalized for the addictions of others?Alan Mannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-36516009962624361182007-05-10T21:43:00.000-04:002007-05-10T21:43:00.000-04:00The whole no ATM / no check-cashing stipulation re...The whole no ATM / no check-cashing stipulation really hurt Gulfstream's chances of getting any sort of draw from people interested in just playing slots and poker. The majority of Broward County would still rather go to the Seminole Hard Rock where they can have their cake and spend it, too.<BR/><BR/>I had no idea about that particular law until I headed out for the Donn and didn't bother to hit the bank first because every time I'd been there pre-slots I'd just pulled $40 out of the ATM. Imagine my irritation when not only were there none on the grounds, but I had to go back to the parking lot, give up my spot to drive around the corner, then find another parking spot when I got back... //eyeroll// What a mess.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11775282065186766299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-39520063968413200392007-05-10T21:33:00.000-04:002007-05-10T21:33:00.000-04:00it may be fun and games for some to watch the fran...it may be fun and games for some to watch the franchise process, but 12 more months of nyra means deteriorating living conditions and barns to others. Still others yet will go without employee contracts or raises for another year while nyra continues to promote members of management just like they announced today!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-8434361256646968222007-05-10T14:32:00.000-04:002007-05-10T14:32:00.000-04:00It looks like Indiana will get their slots just in...It looks like Indiana will get their slots just in time for all of these issues to really hit the forefront.<BR/><BR/>It's too bad. Indiana Downs is a nice facility with the state's only turf course and, although the level of competition is bottom-of-the-barrel, it's a good trip to catch some live racing without having to make the trek to Churchill or Arlington Park. I'd hate to see the slots take over and push the horse players out of the very nice downstairs simulcast center or the upstairs area.Harlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16515575955224982258noreply@blogger.com