Maryland looks to enter the racino sweepstakes.
Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology
Maryland looks to enter the racino sweepstakes.
Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology
Suffolk Downs Expansion Plan Tied to Gaming
By Tom LaMarraUpdated: Wednesday, July 7, 2010 8:08 AM
Posted: Wednesday, July 7, 2010 7:56 AMEmail A FriendSuffolk Downs, celebrating its 75th season this year, has a vision for the future, and it’s tied to expansion of gambling.
The Massachusetts racetrack July 7 unveiled its latest expansion plan should it get casino-style gambling. State lawmakers are currently considering bills that would authorize free-standing casinos, racetrack slot machines, or both.
The legislature has until July 31 to come up with one bill. The House supports racetrack slots and a few resort casinos, while the Senate has rejected gaming at tracks.
Suffolk officials said the first phase of proposed project would include renovation of the grandstand and clubhouse, as well as construction of complex that would offer a hotel, restaurants, retail shops, and gaming. Renovation of racing facilities would include a “greatly enhanced live racing and simulcasting experience,” track officials said.
Suffolk sits on about 163 acres just east of Boston. In 2008 it partnered with neighboring Wonderland Greyhound Park, now closed, to pursue gaming opportunities.
“As a popular destination for entertainment and gaming for the last 75 years, our vision positions Suffolk Downs as the region’s premier resort-style entertainment and gaming destination for the next 75 years,” Richard Fields, principal owner of Suffolk Downs, said in a statement. “As the legislature and the governor work to finalize their approach on expanded gaming, our ownership is prepared to immediately invest hundreds of millions of dollars to create a development that will produce thousands of good jobs, enhance the area’s strong tourism base, and generate revenue for the state and neighboring communities while preserving New England’s last remaining Thoroughbred racetrack.”
Suffolk is the only track in the region offering live Thoroughbred racing. Rockingham Park in New Hampshire pulled the plug almost 10 years ago, and the remaining tracks on the Massachusetts fair circuit haven’t raced in several years.
Suffolk opened in 1935 and has hosted some of the sport’s top horses. Officials said the track handles about $200 million wagers, employs about 1,500 people, and sustains about 2,300 jobs in the racing and breeding industry statewide.
“Suffolk Downs has been a responsible neighbor for generations,” Suffolk Downs chief operating officer Chip Tuttle said. “We are committed to a comprehensive, transparent public process that will address key community issues like traffic, infrastructure, and public safety. In addition to the jobs that would be created and the revenue that would be generated for the state, Suffolk Downs is committed to spending millions of dollars with Massachusetts-based businesses for the daily operation of the facility and developing programs to enhance local businesses in conjunction with our proposed development.”
Track officials are focusing on the project’s potential employment benefits. They said construction would create 1,500-2,00o jobs, and the finished facility about 2,250 permanent jobs. In addition, the 1,500 jobs in racing would be protected, officials said.
This is a mixed blessing: One reading is that Suffolk is expanding. Good news. The down side is that it’s dependent on gaming, i.e., playing negative expectation games that cannot be beaten.
Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology
East Coast Tracks Cancel Because of Heat
Updated: Tuesday, July 6, 2010 4:18 PM
Posted: Tuesday, July 6, 2010 11:19 AMEmail A FriendWith a predicted temperature of 100 degrees and a slightly higher heat index, Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack canceled live racing for July 6, and Belmont Park did the same for live racing July 7. Delaware park canceled live racing after its second race July 6, and won’t race July 7.
In seperate releases, the racetracks said racing was scrapped due to “excessive” heat in their respective areas.
Live racing is expected to resume at Belmont on Thursday, July 8 and at Philly Park on Friday, July 9. Philly Park doesn’t race live Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Full-card simulcasts will continue as usual at all locations.
Due to the continued forecast calling for excessive heat, Delaware Park said live racing was canceled for July 7. Live racing is scheduled to return July 10 featuring the grade II Delaware Oaks.
Between the heat and the humidity, it can’t be pleasant for fan, jockey, or horse. At least here in Vegas, at 107 degrees, it is a dry heat!
Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology
Tim Parkin, an epidemiologist at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, announced the findings Monday during the Jockey Club's third summit on racehorse welfare and safety. The study, which includes information from most racetracks in the United States and Canada, covers more than 86 percent of all flat-racing starts and all steeplechase races between Nov. 1, 2008, and Oct. 31, 2009.
Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology
Oak Tree at Santa Anita is one of my favorite meets of the year, and this year of 2010 may be the last time it's there. The good news? 3 months and change of racing at horse racing Nirvana, Del Mar!
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Regulators OK Beulah Park sale to Penn National – Business First of Columbus
http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2010/06/21/daily37.html
(via Instapaper)
Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology
A good news story from Churchill Downs
Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology
Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology
State of the Art – New iPhone Arrives, Rivals Beware – NYTimes.com
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/23/technology/personaltech/23pogue.html
(via Instapaper)
Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology
Nice to see a positive story about horse racing, and a horse from the Derby doing well
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100619/SPORTS1405/100619014/1023/SPORTS/Horse-racing-Paddy-O-Prado-takes-500-000-race-richest-won-by-Iowan-owned-horse#
Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology